George Markham (1797-1873) lived in Chelmsford, Essex. Non-conformist records from the Baddow Lane Independent Old Chapel (baptisms 1759-1837), and from the Springfield Lane Wesleyan Chapel (baptisms 1814-1836) reveal the birth and baptism dates for some of the children of George Markham. The baptism record of his eldest son, George Frederick Markham (1822-1913) at the Wesleyan Chapel provides the maiden name of the wife of George Markham senior, Mary Ann Bryant (c.1801-1870). Census records from the nineteenth century provide the names of the ten children of George and Mary Ann Markham. The first census dates from 1841 when George Markham was about 44 years old. He is described as a baker, living on the High Street, Moulsham, in the parish of Chelmsford, with his wife and seven children: Mary Ann (aged 15), Charles (aged 14), Harriett (aged 12), Maria (aged 10), Alfred (aged 7), Emma (aged 5) and Ellen (aged 3). Two junior bakers were also included at the same address: Harvey Mire (aged 15) and William Vale (aged 14). Present also was Mary Bryant (aged 70), who seems to be the mother of Mary Ann Markham. The eldest son, George (aged 19), was absent from the household and thus not included in the list. Baptism records from the Baddow Lane Old Chapel provide the dates of birth and baptism for most of the children listed in the 1841 census: Mary Ann (born 11 October 1823 was baptised 23 December 1827; she died between April and June 1841, aged 17); Charles (born 9 March 1827 was baptised 23 December 1827); Harriett (born 27 July 1829 was baptised 23 May 1830); Maria (born 23 July 1832 was baptised 9 September 1832); Alfred William (born 27 December 1835 was baptised 28 February 1836). Emma may have been baptised in Suffolk Apr-Jun 1838; Ellen’s full name was Martha Ellen. She was born between July and September 1840. The 1851 census provides the names of two more children, born after the 1841 census: Walter and Herbert. Walter Markham was born between July and September 1843; Herbert Markham was born between January and March 1846. The 1851 census lists George Markham as a “baker master employing two men.” The family is still living at Moulsham St., Chelmsford, next to the Three Queens. Unlike the 1841 census, the March 1851 census gives a place of birth for George Markham, Ipswich in Suffolk. Mary Ann Markham’s place of birth is given as Colchester in Essex. All the children were born in Chelmsford. The eldest son, George (aged 29) was again absent from the household. Charles is also absent. The children listed in the 1851 census are: Harriett, Maria, Alfred, Emma, Ellen, Walter and Herbert. The two junior bakers were William Alley (aged 21) and Henry Fitch (aged 21). Philip Saunders (aged 12) was employed as an errand boy. Mary Anne Markham is absent from the 1851 census as she died a few months after the 1841 census, aged 17. The 1861 census is or interest since it provides the true birthplace of George Markham, Shotley, in Suffolk. Said to be aged 62, George Markham’s occupation is given as “ship owner and baker.” By 1861, only the four youngest children were living at home: Alfred, Martha E., Walter and Herbert. Also present was a visitor, Mary A. Smee, aged 14, from Heybridge in Essex. The 1861 census lists the following occupations: Alfred Markham (aged 25) was a baker; Walter Markham (aged 17) was an apprentice cabinet maker; and Herbert Markham (aged 15) was also a baker. The 1871 census reveals that by this date George Markham was a widower. His wife Mary Ann died between January and March 1870. Living with him at this time were his unmarried son Alfred (a baker) aged 32 and his unmarried son Herbert (aged 22) also described as a baker. The household included Henry Granger, a thirteen-year-old baker’s boy and Ann Lemon a fourteen-year-old domestic servant. George Markham died in Chelmsford Jul-Sept 1873, aged 76.

George F. Markham (1822-1913)

The eldest son of George and Mary Ann Markham is George Frederick Markham (1822-1913). The 1841 census shows that George, aged 19, was living at a baker’s house in Great Stambridge, Essex. He seems to be absent from the 1851 census, suggesting that he was away at sea. George Markham married Sarah Coe Apr-June 1857 at Chelmsord. Sarah Coe was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Coe. The 1841 census describes Robert Coe as an agricultural labourer. The 1861 census (taken on 7th April) lists George Frederick Markham on board the vessel or ship called the “Yanden.” He is described as a master mariner and married. His age is given as 36. George is also absent from the 1871 census. By 1881, George was living at Essex Terrace in Maldon with his wife (from St. Osyth in Essex) and two children. Aged 55, George is described as a “mariner.” Only two children were still at home: Henry Markham (a seventeen-year-old baker) and Charles H(erbert) Markham (a sixteen-year-old butcher). The eldest children both died young. George Frederick Markham, was born Jan-Mar. 1859 and died Oct-Dec 1860. Twins Harriet Emma Markham and William Alfred Markham were born Apr-Jun 1860. Harriet died Jan-Mar. 1861. Mary Markham was born Jan-Mar 1862; Henry Markham was born Jul-Sept. 1863; Charles Herbert Markham was born Jan.-Mar. 1865 and Lucy Markham Apr-Jun 1868. Mary Markham, aged 19, was absent from her parents' household on the day of the 1881 census as she was a visitor at the house of Franklin J. Felton at Basin, Heybridge. There is no mention of Lucy Markham in the 1881 census which suggests that she died before that date. The 1891 census lists George Markham boarding at 33 Broadway in West Ham, Essex. He gave his age as 65 and his occupation as a sheriff officer. In 1901, George Markham was boarding at 78 Mill Road in Maldon at the house of Elizabeth Frost Smee, a shopkeeper. Sarah Markham died Jan-Mar 1900. Aged 78, he is described as “living by own means.” George Markham died in Maldon between July and September 1913, aged 90.

George’s first surviving son, William Alfred Markham (b.1860), married Rosa Crawley July-Sept. 1880 at Chelmsford. The 1881 census reveals that William and Rosa lived with Rosa's maternal grandparents at Viaduct Road, 2 Burgess Terrace in Chelmsford. James Oakley (aged 69) and his wife Rose (aged 63) came from Norfolk. William (aged 21) is described as a brass fitter. His wife was 19 and they had a two-month-old daughter Mary Maud Markham, born in Chelmsford. The 1891 census describes William aged 30 as an “engine fitter.” Rosa Markham was born at Brightside in Yorkshire. The family was living at 3 Wolseley Terrace at Moulsham, Chelmsford and included five children: Mary Maud (born Jan.-Mar.1881-1969), William A(lfred) (born Jul-Sept.1882; died Jan-Mar 1897 at West Ham aged 14), Rosa (born Apr.-June 1884), Annie (born Apr-June 1886) and Louisa Sarah (born Jul-Sept.1889). The 1901 census lists William Markham, aged 40, as a pauper inmate at the West Ham Union Workhouse in Leyton, Essex. The eldest daughter, Mary Markham, is listed as a domestic servant working for Frederick and Ada Crawley at West Ham. Rosa Markham, aged 18, was a servant working for Albert and Mary Barrett at Eastbourne and Annie Markham, aged 15, worked for Charles and Harriett Barton at West Ham. Mary M. Markham married Joseph Rawlinson. Annie Markham married Albert Henry Viohl. Louisa Markham married Frederick Powell in 1915.

George’s youngest son, Charles Herbert Markham, (b.1865) married Emily Elizabeth Watson from Rawreth in Essex Oct-Dec 1887 at Greenwich. In 1891, the family was living at 23 Sutton St. at Prittlewell in Essex. Charles is described as a butcher. Two children are listed: Charles Herbert aged 3 (born Apr-June 1888) and Emily Elizabeth aged 1 (born Jul-Sept.1889). Charles H. Markham was born at New Cross in Kent; Emily E. Markham was born at Forest Hill in Kent. Also present in the house were Charles’s brother, Henry Markham, a baker aged 27, and Ellen E. Watson, Emily’s sister (this provides Emily Markham’s maiden name). The 1901 census lists Charles H. Markham living at 50 Milton Road, Prittlewell in Essex. Aged 34, his occupation is listed as a greengrocer and employer. Four children are listed: Charles (aged 15), Emily (aged 11), Annie Maud M.(aged 9, born Apr-June 1891) and Nora Winifred (aged 4; Jan-Mar. 1897). Also present at the time of the census were Arthur Watson, a nineteen-year-old boarder who was a greengrocer’s assistant and Mary Markham, a visitor aged 27.

George’s second eldest son, Henry Markham, is listed as single and a boarder in West Ham aged 34 in the 1901 census. His occupation is given as a tobacconist’s assistant.

The second eldest son of George and Mary Ann Markham is Charles Markham (1827-1897). By 1861, Charles Markham was living with his wife Harriet Ada Smee (aged 22) at Wantz Road, Maldon in Essex. Charles, aged 34, is described as a “coal merchant.” Harriet Smee was born in Heybridge Apr-Jun 1839. Charles and Harriet married in the Samford district, Suffolk, Apr-Jun 1859. The 1871 census provides the name of their children born in the 1860s. By 1871, Charles and Harriet Markham and their family were living in Woodham Mortimer in Essex. Aged 42, Charles Markham is described as a “farmer and publican” living on 70 acres at the The Oak Inn and employing four men and one boy. Four children are listed: Walter G(eorge), a scholar aged 8, William S(mee), a scholar aged 6, Mary Ann (aged 5) and Maud M(ary) aged one and a half. The first three children were born in Salcott in Essex, whereas the youngest was born at Woodham Mortimer. By the time of the 1881 census, Charles and Harriet Markham were living at Wantz Road in Maldon with three children: Walter (a farmer’s assistant, aged 18), William Smee (a farmer’s assistant, aged 16) and Ada Emma (a scholar, aged 8). Maud Mary Markham died at Maldon Jan-Mar 1875, aged 5. Her sister, Mary Ann Markham, aged 15, was absent from her parents' household on the day of the census as she was living at Grove House in Prittlewell where she was a pupil under the charge of a governess, Mary A. Minton, aged 45, who was born in Kent. Also present was George Markham, a married cousin from Shirley in Hampshire, aged 51 and Emma Stripling, a nineteen-year-old domestic servant. Charles Markham, said to be 52, is described as a “farmer & innkeeper.” The 1891 census shows that the family is still living at Maldon. Charles, said to be aged 63, is described as a “publican and mineral water maker.” Harriett is said to be 52. Only one child was living with them: Ada E(mma) Markham, aged 18. Charles and Harriett Markham had three surviving children: Walter George, William Smee and Ada Emma. In 1895, Charles Markham ran the Borough Arms Wantz Road, Maldon. Charles Markham died at Maldon Jul-Sept 1897, aged about 70. Harriet Markham died in the 1890s.

Walter George Markham (b.1863) married Sarah Smith (born 1855-1857 at Wethersfield in Essex) Apr-June 1885 at Chelmsford. The 1891 census gives Walter’s profession as a confectioner and his age as 27. Three children are listed: Maud aged 4 (born Jan-Mar.1887), Eleanor aged 2 (born Oct-Dec.1889) and Mabel aged 7 months (born Oct-Dec.1890). They lived at 58 Wantz Road, Maldon. The 1901 census shows the family living at Maldon in Essex. Aged 38, Walter is listed as a “general dealer” working in a shop. His wife’s name is listed as Alice, aged 31, born in Maldon. Walter married Alice Catherine Harris in Jul-Sep 1898 at Maldon. Five children are listed: Eleanor (aged 12), Elsie (aged 6), Walter (aged 5), Mildred Alice (aged 2) and Stanley Charles (aged 1). Walter’s first wife, Sarah Markham, died in Maldon Oct-Dec 1897, aged 42. She seems to have died giving birth to Walter Herbert Markham, born Oct-Dec 1897.

William Smee and Alice Markham, née Woodcraft and their family (with William's sister Ada Markham)

William Smee Markham (b. 1864) married Alice Woodcraft (born about 1869 at Heybridge in Essex) in Jan-Mar. 1889 at Maldon. Living at 119 Wantz Road, Maldon at the time of the 1891 census, William is described as a “mineral water maker assistant.” Their first child is mentioned: William C(harles), aged 8 months born Jul-Sept. 1890. The 1901 census provides details on the rest of the family. During the 1890s, four more children were born: Louisa, called 'Louie' (born Oct-Dec.1891), Harriet (born Apr-June 1893; died aged 8, Apr-Jun 1901), Herbert Edward (born Apr-June 1896; died in France during the First World War in 1917) and Margaret (born Jan-Mar. 1899). William is listed as a “mineral water manufacturer.” Also present at the time of the census were Celia Eliza Ann Clark, William’s nineteen-year-old niece and Alice Taylor, a seventeen-year-old servant. Another two sons were born after the 1901 census: Philip Hugh (Jul-Sept 1901) and Jack (Jul-Sept 1904).

The third eldest son of George and Mary Ann Markham is Alfred William Markham (1835-1907). The 1881 census gives 119 Moulsham St. in Chelmsford as his address. Aged 46, Alfred lived there with his wife Jane A(nne) Bright. She was born about 1831 at St. Pancras, London and died at Chelmsford Apr-Jun 1910. Alfred is described as a baker, employing one man – Charles Cook, a twenty-year-old baker’s assistant. A fifteen-year-old general servant, Agnes Harley, was also present. No children are listed. Alfred and Jane Markham married at Kensington, London, Apr-Jun 1875. The 1891 census shows Alfred and Jane Markham living at 109 Moulsham St. in Chelmsford. Alfred is described as a retired baker, aged 57 and Jane was aged 60. The 1901 census shows the couple living at the same address. Alfred is described as 68, a retired bread maker living on his own means and Jane’s age of 70 is given. Alfred Markham died Jan-Mar 1907. Jane Markham died Apr-Jun 1910.

Emma Wenley, née Markham

Emma Wenley, née Markham

William G. Wenley and James H. Wray

 

Emma Bryant Markham (c.1838-1865), the fourth daughter of George and Mary Ann Markham, married William Gilson Wenley at Chelmsford in 1858. The 1881 census reveals that the family lived at 55 High Street in Chelmsford where William Wenley was an upholsterer (and furniture removalist). He lived with his four children: Emma (born 1859), William Gilson (born 1860), Bertha (born 1862) and Margaret (born 1864). Emma Wenley, née Markham died between April and June 1865, aged about 29. Margaret Wenley married Albert Edward Barker in Chelmsford in 1890. Bertha Wenley married Thomas William Manning in Chelmsford in 1894. Emma Wenley married Frederic Chancellor in 1903. William Gilson Wenley married Mabel Alice White in Billericay, Essex in 1895. Children: William Gilson Wenley, born in Chelmsford in 1896; Mary (called 'Molly') Wenley in 1898 and Robert James Wenley, born in Chelmsford in 1902. William G. Wenley died in Chelmsford in Jan-Mar 1904, aged 77.

Wenley & Son, 53-55 High Street, Chelmsford

Martha Ellen Wray, née Markham

James H. Wray

James H. Wray

The fifth eldest daughter of George and Mary Ann Markham, Martha Ellen Markham (1840-1891), also known as Ellen, married James Hanley Wray (1827-1907). James Wray was the son of George Wray and Ann Hanley. He was born in Chelmsford 23 May 1827 and baptised at the First Meeting House of the Baddow Lane Independent Old Chapel 24 June 1827. Also baptised there were his brothers and sisters: Ann Harriet (b.1829), Betty (b.1831), Thomas Hill (b.1833), Henry (b.1835) and Martha (1837). Martha E. Markham and James H. Wray married in Thetford, Norfolk, Jul-Sept 1861. Their children were born in Chelmsford: Charles Wray (born Oct-Dec 1862; died aged 3, Jan-Mar 1866), Carrie Ellen Wray (b. Oct-Dec 1864), Edith Wray (b. Jul-Sept 1867), Bertram Wray (b. Oct-Dec 1871: died aged 5, Apr-Jun 1877), George Wray (b.Jan-Mar 1875), Eleanor Wray (b. Oct-Dec 1876) and Gertrude Wray (b. Jul-Sept 1880). According to the 1881 census, the family were living at Springfield Road, Springfield, Essex. James H. Wray, aged 53, was a stonemason employing eleven men. Martha Wray, aged 40, was a draper employing eleven women and three girls. The eldest daughter, Carrie/Carry, was a draper's assistant. Also living with them were Mary Bedford (aged 30), Annie Adkins (aged 20), Emma Patient (aged 21), Clara Heard (aged 18), and Emma Patrick (aged 15). Martha Ellen Wray died in Chelmsford Apr-Jun 1891, aged 51. James H. Wray died in Chelmsford Oct-Dec 1907, aged 80.

The fourth eldest son of George and Mary Ann Markham is Walter Markham (1843-1877). The 1871 census describes Walter as an innkeeper living at the Duke’s Head at Springfield in Essex. Aged 27, he lived with his wife Ada Harriett (or Harriett Ada) Markham (aged 28 and from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk). They married at Yarmouth, Oct-dec 1867. Two children are listed: Walter (aged 2 and born Jul-Sept.1868) and Ernest (aged 6 months and born July-Sept. 1870). They employed a barmaid, the twenty-four-year-old Julia Langridge and Julia Gentry, a twenty-year-old domestic servant. Walter died in 1877, aged 33. The 1881 census describes Ada Markham as a widower innkeeper still living at the Duke’s Head, aged 38. Three sons and a daughter are listed: Walter (aged 12), Ernest (aged 10), Frederic (aged 9; born Jan-Mar. 1872) and Ada (aged 8; born Jan-Mar. 1873). Also living there was Herbert Markham (unmarried and aged 35), Harriett’s brother-in-law, described as a carrier. Sarah A. Chilvers, a thirty-year-old unmarried barmaid and Martha Hurrell, a sixteen-year-old domestic servant lived there. Between Apr-June 1884, Ada re-married and moved to Tottenham. The 1891 census shows her married to William Hadlow, a 69-year-old “house agent” from Tottenham, London. Aged 48, Ada Hadlow lived with Arthur Meredith Hadlow, an ironmonger aged 19; Stanley Charles Hadlow, aged 16; Walter Markham a stonemason, aged 21; Ernest Markham, a stationer aged 19, Frederick, a carpenter aged 16; and Ada Markham, aged 18, a housekeeper who worked at home. The 1901 census shows William Hadlow (aged 79) living with his wife Harriett Ada aged 58 and three Hadlow children: Hannah E., a single clerk aged 44; Herbert, a single clerk aged 31; and Stanley, aged 26, paralyzed. One of Harriett/Ada’s children from her first marriage was present: Walter Markham, single, aged 32 and described as a stone mason. A housekeeper, Ada Little, aged 34 (William Hadlow’s niece) was present as was Emma Sargent, a 45-year-old domestic servant. Harriett Ada Hadlow died in 1903, aged 61. William Hadlow died in 1904, aged 81.

Herbert Markham (1846-1906), the youngest son of George and Mary Ann Markham, married Sarah Ann Chilvers from Great Baddow in Essex at St. Pancras, London, Jul-Sept 1884. The 1891 census lists Herbert aged 44 and his profession a car man. Sarah Markham's age was 40. They lived at Springfield Road, Chelmsford in Essex. No children are listed. Herbert Markham died at Chelmsford between July and September 1906, aged 60.