Fortis Green

WOOLGAR - CARDELL

CARDELL Very little is known about the Cardell family. 3x great grandfather James Cardell was a gardener.1 His daughter Mary was born in Highgate, Middlesex in about 1817.2 A Catharine Cardell witnessed the marriage of Mary and she may have been Mary’s mother or sister.3 Although the marriage took place only a month before the 1841 census, there is no trace of a likely Catharine in that census and no death or marriage for her in that quarter.4 There is no record for a baptism of either Mary or Catharine Cardell in the nonconformist5 or Church of England6 Highgate Chapelry registers although the entries in the chapelry registers are sparse at this point.7 A marriage between a James Cadwell and a Mary Ann Guteridge took place in Highgate in 18138 and these remain possibilities as Mary’s parents. There is also a Maria Cardell in St. Pancras workhouse in the 1841 and 1851 censuses.9 This workhouse would have covered Highgate. Maria Cardell was born in Dudley, Worcestershire10 and is almost certainly the Maria Withenbury, baptised in 1780, who married James Cardall at St. Alban, Worcester, Worcestershire on the 12th February 1798.11 These too could be Mary’s parents. Great great grandfather Philip Woolgar was baptised in Henfield, Sussex on the 16th of July 1818. He was the son of Isaac and Ann Woolgar née Baker12 and like his father in law, he was a gardener.13 It is not known when he left Sussex but when he married Mary Cardell on the 1st of May 1841, he gave his address as Fortis Green.14 This probably refers to the road that runs between Finchley and Muswell Hill in North London, although the name can now apply to the surrounding area as well. According to a local history website, “Development of Fortis Green from a countryside track began with the enclosure of the commons it

1 The marriage certificate of Philip Woolgar and Mary Cardell 1841, from the General Register Office. 2 1881 census for 3 Rosendale Road, Norwood, Surrey RG11 0626 folio 66. 3 The marriage certificate of Philip Woolgar and Mary Cardell 1841, from the General Register Office. 4 1841 Census index for England and Wales at www.findmypast.co.uk; General Registrar’s Indexes of births, marriages and deaths. 5 Highgate Salem Chapel, Middlesex births and baptisms 1785-1836 RG4 1131 searched by Paul Blake. 6 Transcript of the baptism registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake. 7 Transcript of the baptism registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake. 8 Transcript of the marriage registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake. 9 1841 census for St. Pancras workhouse, Marylebone, Middlesex HO107 681/9 folio 9; 1851 census for St. Pancras workhouse, Marylebone, Middlesex HO107 1497 folio 599. 10 1851 census for St. Pancras workhouse, Marylebone, Middlesex HO107 1497 folio 599. 11 www.familysearch.org. 12 Parish register for Henfield, Sussex, held at the West Sussex Record Office. For earlier generations of this family see the Early Woolgars paper. 13 The marriage certificate of Philip Woolgar and Mary Cardell 1841, from the General Register Office. 14 The marriage certificate of Philip Woolgar and Mary Cardell 1841, from the General Register Office.

Fortis Green c. 1815 (map in public domain)

1841 Census entry for the Woolgar Family

crossed. The area of Hornsey Common fronting the track was divided into narrow plots and used to commute the Common’s copyholder’s rights in 1815. Building started soon after, effectively augmenting the hamlet of Fortis Green around the Clissold Arms. Meanwhile development from the East Finchley end began in 1820 when the Bishop sold off a large south facing field on the Barclay’s Bank corner for development. Known collectively as Park Place there were four grand houses and numbering from the High Road these were Fairlawn, Cranleigh, Park Hall and Summerlee respectively. Then, in 1835, just across the border in Hornsey, architect and East Finchley resident Anthony Salvin and his brother in law purchased a field and built two elegant Italianate villas Springcroft and Colethall (later Uplands), the latter being featured in Gardener’s Magazine at the time.”15 It may be that Philip Woolgar or James Cardell worked on these gardens. Philip’s marriage to Mary Cardell took place, after banns, at St. Mary’s Church, Hornsey and the witnesses were Catharine Cardell and William Groves. Both Philip and Mary gave their address as Fortis Green at the time of their marriage.16 Just one month later, Philip and Mary were living in Turnpike Road, Finchley, Middlesex; no occupation is recorded for Philip.17 With Philip and Mary was a two year old called

15 http://www.tonero.me.uk/locelegantpast.htm accessed 26 December 2010. 16 The marriage certificate of Philip Woolgar and Mary Cardell 1841, from the General Register Office. 17 1841 census for Turnpike Road, Finchley, Middlesex HO107 663/2 folio 12.

Philip and Mary Woolgar née Cardell

Ring belonging to Philip and Mary Woolgar

Ann. The census suggests that she was in the same house but that she constituted a separate household. The squiggle where her surname should be does not look like the dittos in other lines but does not seem to be a word in its own right.18 Given that there does not appear to be a birth registration for an Ann Woolgar or Cardell19 who could be this child and that, in 1861, the Woolgars shared their home with two ‘nurse children’,20 it seems likely that Ann was another such child who was being looked after by Mary. A ring belonging to Philip and Mary Cardell, engraved PWM is still owned by the family. Their great-granddaughter, to whom it passed, can remember their hair being entwined round the middle.21 Philip and Mary’s eldest child, Caroline, was born in Clerkenwell at the end of 1842,22 possibly on the 31st October.23 She was baptised on the 27th of November 1842 at St. Michael’s, Highgate, Middlesex and her father, Philip, was described as a gardener.24

18 1841 census for Turnpike Road, Finchley, Middlesex HO107 663/2 folio 12. 19 The General Registrar’s Indexes of births. 20 1861 census for Rosendale Road, Norwood, Surrey RG9 367 folio 56. 21 Oral evidence from Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 22 The General Registrar’s indexes of birth; 1881 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 623 folio 21. 23 Public member tree on www.ancestry.com. 24 Transcript of the baptism registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake.

William and Caroline Leighton née Woolgar

LEIGHTON Caroline Woolgar married William Leighton in the June quarter of 1869 in Lambeth registration district.25 William Leighton had been born on the 19th of July 1831 in Clerkenwell.26 He spent some time in Victoria, Australia and his first marriage, to Mary Ann Beale, took place there in 1861.27 Their son, Frederick Beale was born in Walden, Victoria, Australia in 1861,28 probably on the 27th of August29 and is with the family in 1871 and 1881.30 It is not known when his mother, Mary Ann Leighton, died but there is no record of her death in Australia.31 There is more than one possible death recorded in the English & Welsh General Register Office’ death indexes.32 She is thought to have died in 1865 at the age of twenty nine.33 Both William and Frederick Beale Leighton were silversmiths, as was William‘s father, John.34 The Leightons were reputedly responsible for the cross on the tomb of the Duke of Wellington in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor35 and a bill for £226 19s 8d36 survives in family possession. Frederick Beale Leighton emigrated to Rhode Island, USA and on the 16th of September 1891 he married Evangeline O’Connor in Providence, Rhode Island.37 They had four children Hortense Marion 1892-1893, Charles Frederic 1894, William Edward 1894 and Josephine Frances 1897.38

25 Marriage indexes of the General Registrar’. 26 1881 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 623 folios 21 & 22. Dr Williams’ Library birth registration RG5 144/0/0176. 27 Victorian Pioneers’ Index (Australia) 1837-1888 reg. no. 2264, extracted by Michael Braund. 28 Victorian Pioneers’ Index (Australia) 1837-1888 reg. no. 2264, extracted by Michael Braund. 29 Public member tree on www.ancestry.com. 30 1871 census for West Place, Brixton, Surrey RG10 686 folio 28; 1881 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 623 folios 21 & 22. 31 Victorian Pioneers’ Index (Australia) 1837-1888 reg. no. 2264, extracted by Michael Braund. 32 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 33 Public member tree on www.ancestry.com. 34 1881 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 623 folios 21 & 22. Dr Williams’ Library birth registration RG5 144/0/0176. 35 Oral evidence from Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 36 Draft of a bill for a cross at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, in the possession of Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 37 Marriage register for Providence, Rhode Island, USA. 38 Public member tree on www.ancestry.com.

Ada Florence Leighton 1870-1963

Caroline Jessie ‘Jessie’ Leighton

1874-1965

William and Caroline Leighton née Woolgar had five daughters, all of whom were born in Herne Hill, Surrey.39 Ada Florence was born on the 21st of April 1870; Frances Mary was born on the 13th of September 1871; Caroline Jessie (known as Jessie) was born on the 10th of November 1874; Lottie Matilda was born on the 21st of December 1877 and Gertrude Fanny was born in July or August 1880,40 probably on the 25th of July.41 In 1871, the Leightons were living at West Place in Brixton, Surrey.42 By 1881 they were at their long term home at 153 Railton Road, Lambeth. The house was divided between two households, with the Wattens in the other half.43 Ten years later, the Leighton household was shared by George Lewis, a fifty one year old brewer’s traveller from Bermondsey and his wife Mary.44 By this time, Frances had left home and she was a servant to Chelsea draper, Frank Leach.45 The only other daughter in work was Ada, who was an assistant in a baker’s shop whilst living at home.46 William Leighton died in 1900.47 The family were still at 153 Railton Road and Caroline and four of her daughters were there in 1901. Frances, Jessie and Lottie were working as dressmakers and Gertrude was a book keeper.48 Ada was, by then, living-in with her boss, baker Henry Hollands, at 64 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey.49 The only one of the Leighton girls to marry was Gertrude who married an accountant, George Benjamin Witt, on 16th September 1909 at St Paul’s, Herne Hill. Although she gave her address as the family home in Railton Road, the witnesses were not members of the Leighton family.50 In 1911 the Witts were living in a five roomed house at 59 Lavender Hill, Wallington, Surrey. George’s occupation was given as accountant.51 Family lore

39 1891 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG12 413 folio 5; 1891 census for 464 Harrow Road, Chelsea, London RG12 56 folio 80. 40 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 1939 Register for 36 Burleigh Road, Sutton, Surrey RG101/1398C/007/2 Letter Code: CNNB. 41 Public member tree on www.ancestry.com. 42 1871 census for West Place, Brixton, Surrey RG10 686 folio 28. 43 1881 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 623 folios 21 & 22. 44 1891 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG12 413 folio 5. 45 1891 census for 464 Harrow Road, Chelsea, London RG12 56 folio 80. 46 1891 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG12 413 folio 5. 47 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 48 1901 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG13 430 folio 23. 49 1901 census for 64 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey RG13 649 folio 116. 50 The marriage certificate for George Benjamin Witt and Gertrude Fanny Leighton 1909 from the General Registrar. 51 1911 census for 59 Lavender Vale, Wallington, Surrey RG14 3424 folio 260.

Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Hicks née Woolgar

Caroline Jessie’s Locket

reported that Gertrude died straight after her marriage52 however she died in Croydon registration district in 1931;53 she is not thought to have had any children.54 George Witt remarried, in 1944, to Elizabeth A Simpson.55 In 1911, the remaining four sisters, Ada, Frances, Lottie and Jessie were living with their mother, Caroline, at 153 Railton Road and all four were working as dressmakers.56 Their mother died in 1919.57 The sisters then moved to Sutton, Surrey58 and Ada died in 1963.59 The others are remembered as living together in Sutton during the 1960s. By this time Frances was blind and Lottie walked with sticks.60 Lottie died in 1964,61 Jessie on the 12th of June 196562 and Frances in 1970.63 The five Leighton sisters were each given heavy silver lockets, with their initials on, that were made by their father. Allegedly these were passed on to the five girls in the next generation, the four Bird sisters and Gwendoline Smith. It was always assumed that Gertrude’s went to Gwendoline and Caroline Jessie’s to Cynthia, so the initials were correct.64 Three of these lockets are still in the family but it is Caroline Jessie’s that is with Gwen’s descendants.65 HICKS Philip and Mary’s second daughter was Mary Ann (known as Polly).66 She was born in Finchley in 184567 and baptised at Highgate on the 1st of February 1846.68 Mary Ann married Thomas Hicks at the end of 1874 in the Camberwell area.69 Thomas was a gardener from Cricklade in Wiltshire and the couple remained near the family home, living at 20 Chancellor Road, Lambeth in 188170 and moving to two rooms in 5 Croxted Road, Dulwich by 1891.71 Thomas died in 189772 and Mary remained at 5 Croxted

52 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 53 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 54 Birth indexes of the General Registrar. 55 Marriage indexes of the General Registrar. 56 1911 census for 153 Railton Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG14 2095 folio 186. 57 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 58 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 1939 Register for 36 Burleigh Road, Sutton, Surrey RG101/1398C/007/2 Letter Code: CNNB. 59 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 60 Oral evidence Janet Mary Few née Braund. 61 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 62 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 63 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 64 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 65 Lockets in family possession. 66 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 67 The Registrar General’s Indexes of Birth held at the Family Records’ Centre; 1861 census for Rosendale Road, Norwood, Surrey RG9 367 folio 56. 68 Transcript of the baptism registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake. 69 The marriage indexes of the General Registrar Centre; 1881 census for 20 Chancellor Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 626 folio 77. 70 1881 census for 20 Chancellor Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 626 folio 77. 71 1891 census for 5 Croxted Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG12 461 folio 111. 72 Death indexes of the General Registrar.

Road, working as a caretaker.73 They do not appear to have had any children.74 Mary Ann died in Lambeth district in 1907.75 ELLINGTON A third daughter of Philip and Mary Woolgar was Fanny Amelia who was born at 6.30pm on 5th February 1848.76 The time of birth on the certificate should indicate that this was a multiple birth but there are no other registrations for this quarter and district who could be the other sibling.77 Like her sister, Mary Ann, Fanny Amelia was baptised in Highgate, as Fanny, on the 5th of March 1848. As at her sisters’ baptisms, Philip was described as a gardener.78 Although Fanny outlived all her siblings, there are no family recollections of her; there was however a vague suggestion that Philip and Mary had a daughter, Sophie.79 Although the age and place of birth (39 and Dorset) are incorrect, it is almost certain that the Amelia Woolgar who, in 1881, was working as the cook in the Alleyn Park,80 household of hop merchant, Stanford Mountain, is Fanny Amelia.81 On 15th November 1884, Fanny Amelia married widower, William Ellington, at St. Clement’s, Hastings, Sussex. The witnesses were Maude and H Bedwell and Thomas Covell. At the time of the marriage William Ellington was a coachman.82 He is inconsistent about his age and place of birth but the consensus seems to be that he was born about 1823 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire,83 so he was considerably older than Fanny. He and his first wife Helen, had been in service in Herne Hill for many years84 and this is presumably how he and Fanny met. William and Fanny Ellington’s son, George Frederick, was born in Hastings a year after they married.85 There was another short-lived child, Richard Collings Stanley Ellington, who was born in 1891 and died the following year.86 In 1891, the family were living in two rooms in part of 19 Cornfield Terrace, Hastings and William was working as a bath chair man. Ten years later, the family had gained a room and were living at 100 Bohemia Road. William was still running his bath chair business in Hastings and George was working as a compositor.87 Although no death registration has been found for William Ellington,88 by 1911 Fanny was a widow and in the census, can be found visiting the Pierpoint family in Dulwich.89 In 1911, George was a boarder in the household of Harriet Blackmar, at 15 Duke Street, Eastbourne, Sussex and was still working as a compositor. Fanny Ellington died in Croydon, Surrey registration district in 1922.90 George married Lily Wade in 1932 in Islington

73 1901 census for 5 Croxted Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG13 437 folio 101. 74 1881 census for 20 Chancellor Road, Lambeth, Surrey RG11 626 folio 77. 75 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 76 The birth certificate of Fanny Amelia Woolgar 1848, from the General Register Office. 77 Birth indexes of the General Registrar. 78 Transcript of the baptism registers of Highgate, Middlesex, 1633-1848 extracted by Paul Blake. 79 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 80 Alleyn Park is in Dulwich. 81 1881 census for Alleyn Park, Westbrook, Camberwell, Surrey RG11 669 folios 35 & 36. 82 The marriage certificate of Fanny Amelia Woolgar 1884, from the local Register Office. 83 1871 census for Herne Hill, Lambeth, Surrey RG10 686 folio 43. 84 1871 census for Herne Hill, Lambeth, Surrey RG10 686 folio 43. 85 Birth indexes of the General Registrar; 1891 census for 19 Cornfield Terrace, Hastings, Sussex RG12 764 folio 83. 86 Birth and death indexes of the General Registrar; 1911 census for 2 Upland Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG14 2469 folio 481. 87 1901 census for 100 Bohemia Road, Hastings Sussex RG13 869 folio 68. 88 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 89 1911 census for 2 Upland Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG14 2469 folio 481. 90 Death indexes of the General Registrar.

Philip James Woolgar and Clara Dawson

district,91 she was in her fifties so there were no children. In 1939 they were living in a tobacconist’s shop at 67 Guildford Street, Chertsey, Surrey, which Lily ran; she was also a hairdresser.92 George was still working as a compositor. They both died in 1960.93 The Woolgar family cannot be found in the 1851 census.94 Great grandfather Philip James Woolgar was Philip and Mary’s only known son and he was born at Figs Marsh, Mitcham, Surrey on the 7th of September 1855. At the time, Philip senior was still working as a gardener.95 By 1861 the Woolgar family had moved to Rosendale Road, Norwood and Philip senior was now a cowkeeper. The household included six year old Charlotte Sparrow and four year old Lydia Sparrow whose birth places are not given. The relationship column is not very clear but appears to read ‘nurse child’.

Within the same house, although in a separate household, is the widowed Ann Grant, aged 73 born in Chichester, Sussex.96 Philip was again recorded as being a cowkeeper in Rosendale Road in 1865.97 1871 finds the family, with the exception of Caroline, who had married by this time, at 1 Rosendale Road. Philip was described as a cowkeeper and the address column was annotated ‘milkman’. Between number one and The Rosendale public house are some stables, possibly the home of Philip’s cows. The Woolgars were sharing number one with the Croft family.98 Three years later Philip was described as a dairyman of Rosendale Road.99

91 Marriage indexes of the General Registrar. 92 1939 Register for 67 Guildford Road Chertsey, Surrey RG101/1876C/006/30 Letter Code: DMCC. 93 Death indexes of the General Registrar. 94 Indexes to the 1851 census for England and Wales on www.findmypast.co.uk. 95 The birth certificate of Philip James Woolgar 1855, in family possession. 96 1861 census for Rosendale Road, Norwood, Surrey RG9 367 folio 56. 97 Post Office Suburban Directory: South London 1865. Reprinted in Pullen, Doris Dulwich Pullen 1983. 98 1871 census for 1 Rosendale Road, Norwood, Surrey RG10 692 folio 59. 99 Post Office Directory for 6 Home Counties 1874 reprinted in Pullen, Doris Dulwich Pullen 1983.

Philip Cecil Thomas Woolgar

Philip James and Percy James Woolgar

An incident took place in 1876, that lead to Philip being in court for selling adulterated milk and his wife, Mary, appearing as a witness. John Baxter, an inspector appointed by the Vestry of Lambeth, found that the milk that Philip was selling had a twenty percent water content. Mary claimed that the milk had been purchased from another dairyman, George Grant, who was also charged. Philip was fined £1, with 12/6 costs.100

1881 finds Philip returning to the gardening trade, possibly as a result of his conviction and by then the family were living at Croxted Cottage, Acacia Grove, Dulwich, Surrey. The only child still at home with Philip and Mary in 1881 was Philip James who was also working as a gardener.101 Philip Woolgar died at 2 Rosendale Road, Dulwich on the 14th of January 1884.102 He was still described as a

gardener and the death was registered by Philip James whose address was given as 2 Rosendale Road. This may actually be the same address as the former 1 Rosendale Road. Philip had had cancer for three months.103 On the 21st of December 1886 Philip James Woolgar, by now a milkman of Dulwich, married Clara Dawson 104 at St. John’s Church, Penge. The marriage took place after banns and was witnessed by Thomas and Alice Dawson, Clara’s father and sister.105 Philip James and Clara’s eldest son was Philip Thomas Cecil, who was born in Dulwich on the 3rd of May 1888106 and baptised in Penge on 29 July.107 Their daughter, Ella Mary, was also born in Dulwich, on the 21st of July 1889108 and baptised in Penge on 25th of August.109

100 South London Chronicle 20 May 1876 p 3 col f. 101 1881 census for Croxted Cottage, Dulwich, Surrey RG11 669 folio 107. 102 The death certificate of Philip Woolgar 1884, from the General Register Office. 103 The death certificate of Philip Woolgar 1884, from the General Register Office. 104 See Dawson paper. 105 The marriage certificate of Philip James Woolgar and Clara Dawson 1886, in family possession. 106 The General Registrar’s indexes of birth. 1891 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG12 417 folio 156. Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar. 107 Index to baptisms on www.findmypast.co.uk 108 1891 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG12 417 folio 156. Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar. 109 Index to baptisms on www.findmypast.co.uk

Wraight, Dumbrill and Co.

Clara Woolgar outside 7 Chalford Road

In 1891, the widowed Mary Woolgar née Cardell was living on her own means in one room that was part of 8 Alleyne Cottages in Dulwich.110 She died of bronchitis on the 13th of January 1892 at 153 Rialton Road, the home of her daughter Caroline.111 Meanwhile, in 1891, Philip James and Clara Woolgar can be found, with their two eldest children, living in the four rooms that were 7 Chalford Road, Dulwich; Philip was working as a milkman.112 Chalford Road, a rented property, was their home for the whole of their married lives.113 Philip James and Clara had two more children, Percy James born in Dulwich on the 3rd of July 1891114 and grandmother, Ivy Gertrude , born on the 4th of January 1893, also in Dulwich.115 On the 6th of May 1894, three days after his sixth birthday, Philip Cecil Thomas died.116 He was buried on the 10th of May at the South Metropolitan cemetery in Norwood in a private grave under a flat stone. The infant was laid in

a white covered elm coffin and the hearse and mourning carriage were pulled by horses; in a funeral costing £9 10/.117 Between about 1891 and 1899, Philip James Woolgar worked for Wraight Dumbrill & Co., milkmen of Croxted Road, Norwood118 and he almost certainly worked for them for a much longer period. The firm existed at least as early as 1881, when James Dumbrill and his

110 1891 census for 8 Alleyn Cottages, Dulwich, Surrey RG12 461 folio 107. 111 The death certificate of Mary Woolgar 1892, from the General Register Office. 112 1891 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood Surrey RG12 417 folio 156. 113 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 114 The short birth certificate of Percy James Woolgar 1891, in family possession. 115 The short birth certificate of Ivy Gertrude Woolgar 1893, in family possession. 116 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar. Correspondence re: the funeral of Philip Cecil Thomas Woolgar, in family possession. 117 Correspondence re: the funeral of Philip Cecil Thomas Woolgar, in family possession. 118 1891 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood Surrey RG12 417 folio 156. Photographs in family possession.

wife Elizabeth née Wraight were working as cow keepers at 8 Croxted Road.119 At the same time, Elizabeth’s mother, Harriet Wraight, was living at 3 Rosendale Road,120 close to the Woolgars’ home.121 By the time of the 1901 census, Philip James was no longer a milkman, but was working as a domestic gardener. The family were still at 7 Chalford Road.122 Ten years later, the family had remained at the same address. The occupation column of the census suggests that Philip was gardener for a local institution.123 It is not known who his employer was. Family stories suggest that, in later life he did odd jobs for a Mrs Allen who was Clara’s friend and lived in an adjacent road.124 This was almost certainly Annie Copley Allen, wife of a grain merchant’s clerk, who lived at 169 South Croxted Road.125 The family were regular church goers, usually attending nearby Emmanuel Church,126 unless they went to hear Percy sing in a choir elsewhere. Clara liked sewing and always kept all the cards and letters that she was sent. She is also remembered as loving the smell of fresh washing. Clara acted as an unofficial midwife and went to deliver babies locally.127 Another memory of Clara is that she was ‘an awful woman’, not particularly child friendly, preferring to sit with a cat on her lap.128 Philip James died at home at 7 Chalford Road on the 19th of March 1913, as a result of a tumour that developed following a tonsillectomy on the 15th of January 1912. The death was registered by his wife Clara and the registrar, Alfred Thompson, had also recorded the death of Philip James’ father nearly thirty years previously.129 Philip James was buried in grave number 25831 at the South Metropolitan Cemetery, Norwood on the 22nd of March. The family paid an extra 7/6 in order to hold the service before three o’clock; in fact it began at 1.15pm.130 Although, following Philip James’ death, Clara had shared her home with her son, Percy, in 1942, unsettled by the war-time bombing, Clara went to live with her daughter Ivy, so that she would not be alone during the day. She is remembered as a short, round lady with her long, straight, white hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. She used to use sunlight soap to wash her hair. She didn’t take baths but strip washed instead. When she was taken into a nursing home she was bathed there, possibly for the first time in her life and died the following week. By the time she moved to 159 Davidson Road with Ivy, whom Clara called ’Dobs’,131 she was elderly and not in the best of health. She was very keen on consulting the doctor about every ailment, a trait not inherited by Ivy or Gwen. Every evening she ate half an orange, divided into segments, two Osborne biscuits and drank a glass of milk.132

119 1881 census index for 8 Croxted Road RG11 0669 folio 112. 120 1881 census for 3 Rosendale Road RG11 0626 folio 66. 121 In 1871 and 1891 but not 1881. 122 1901 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG13 438 folio 36. 123 1911 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG14 2134 folio 190. 124 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 125 1911 census for 169, South Croxted Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG14 2134 folio 81. 126 This is no longer standing. 127 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 128 Oral evidence from Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 129 The death certificate of Philip James Woolgar 1913, from the General Register Office. 130 Correspondence re: the funeral of Philip James Woolgar, in family possession. 131 Clara also called her granddaughter, Gwen, ‘Dobs’. 132 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith.

William Edward Bird and Ella Mary Woolgar

Margaret Jean (Peggy) Bird

Clara Woolgar died on the 26th of January 1949 of cerebral haemorrhage, arterio sclerosis and senility. She died in a nursing home at 21 Normanton Road, Croydon, giving her address as 159 Davidson Road, Addiscombe, Croydon, Surrey, which was Ivy’s home. The death was registered by her other daughter, Ella. Clara was ninety years old.133 She was buried with her husband on Monday the 28th of January.134 BIRD

Ella Mary Woolgar married William Edward Bird at St. Paul’s, Herne Hill on the 27th of August 1918.135 Ella had been working as a tailoress.136 William Edward Bird had been born on the 4th of December 1884 in Ipswich, Suffolk and was a buyer for an ironmongers.137 William and Ella’s eldest child, Margaret Jean (known as Peggy), was born on the 8th of September 1921 at Nurse Brackley’s Home, Hamilton Road, West Norwood,138 although the family were living at 5 Clitheroe Road, Stockwell at the time.139

133 The death certificate of Clara Woolgar née Dawson, 1949, in family possession. 134 Correspondence re: the funeral of Clara Woolgar, in family possession. 135 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar and Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. Marriage indexes of the General Registrar. 136 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 137 Oral evidence from Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 138 Unidentified newspaper cutting in family possession. 139 Unidentified newspaper cutting in family possession.

Philip Edward Bird

Beryl, Marjorie, Cynthia and [Muriel] Olive Bird

She was baptised on the 6th of November at St. Paul’s, Herne Hill.140 Peggy died of bronchial pneumonia on the 16th of December 1921141 and was buried four days later in Brookwood Cemetery.142

William and Ella’s only son, Philip Edward, was born on the 18th of November 1922 at 38 Carshalton Grove, Carshalton, Surrey.143 He too died young, on the 13th of May 1925, from meningitis, following an injury from a stick.144 He was buried at Brookwood Cemetery on the 21st of May 1925.145 This death, on top of that of his uncle, resulted in future generations being urged not to name any children Philip. Muriel Olive (known as Olive) was born on the 22nd of September 1924 and Cynthia Mary on the 30th of April 1926 both in Epsom, Surrey registration district. Marjorie Evelyn was born on the 31st of December 1928 and Beryl Helen on the 29th of October 1930 both in Croydon, Surrey registration district.146 William and Ella Bird spent most of their married life living at 48 Glebe Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey. William died on the 27th of September 1944 and Ella took a job in a local shop, working mornings, including Sundays, for 10/- a week.147 Ella died on the 1st of April 1981.148

140 Unidentified newspaper cutting in family possession. 141 Unidentified newspaper cutting in family possession. 142 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar. 142 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar and Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 143 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar and Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 144 Oral evidence from Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 145 Oral evidence from Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar and Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird. 146 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith; Birth indexes of the General Registrar. 147 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 148 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith.

Percy James Woolgar

Ivy Gertrude Woolgar

Percy James Woolgar lived all his life at 7 Chalford Road.149 He loved music and sang in several choirs, notably that for All Saints’ Church. He belonged to the Royal Philharmonic Choir and was also a deputy for the choirs at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St. Alban’s Cathedral, travelling to these venues by bus. Despite wanting to be an organ builder,150 the 1911 census reveals that Percy was a clerk for a cotton thread manufacturer,151 Pawson and Leaf of St. Paul’s churchyard.152 On 28 February 1917 Percy James, who had been working as a commercial clerk, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as a rigger, transferring to the newly created Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. He was described as being 5 foot 7 inches tall. On 22 May 1919 he was discharged as no longer being fit and was awarded the Silver War Badge.153 His poor eyesight and a defect of his foot preventing more active involvement. He spent much of the war in Scotland where he met a young

lady called Jean, whom he planned to marry. Despite his sister Ivy still living at home, his mother vetoed the idea of her only son moving to Scotland and Percy never married.154 In 1933, Percy left the office and became a commercial traveller for the same firm. He began making his rounds in south-east London and north-east Surrey by bus, taking his wares in a massive suitcase. In 1936, was told that he had to learn to drive and he acquired an Austin 7. He used to take his niece, Gwendoline with him on his rounds on Saturdays. Gwen also remembers helping Percy with various do-it-yourself tasks, passing him nails whilst he mended a fence. Percy was a good amateur

149 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. The will of Percy James Woolgar 1965, in family possession. 150 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 151 1911 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG14 2134 folio 190. 152 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 153 Air Force Service records for Percy James Woolgar AIR79/577 63245 154 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith.

carpenter and made dolls’ houses for his niece Gwendoline and great-niece Janet. Percy was a dog lover. His Old English sheep-dog, was named Mef, short for Mephistopheles, after the character in Faust. Percy was understudying Howard Williams for the role when the dog was acquired. Mef was followed by golden retriever, Dep (Deputy), who died of a fit when the coalman’s horse, Harry, reared up at the window. Percy also looked after a Red Setter, Flash, for a friend. Percy used to holiday at Church Town Farm in Bridgerule, Devon. The farm was owned by the Johns family but the bed and breakfast side of the business was run by Gladys Bowden and her husband. In old age Percy used to spend Christmas with his niece Gwen. Percy didn’t like turkey so, when the turkey was served, he was told it was chicken and he ate it quite happily.155 Percy retired in the July of 1961, at the age of seventy. A few months later he had a stroke whilst on his daily evening walk. He spent the rest of his life in nursing homes being visited by his family and friends Reg Hurson and Don Kaye. Although Percy was five years his senior, he and Reg had almost certainly known each other from childhood as Reg grew up in Croxted Road and his father was a dairyman,156 so may well have worked with Philip James. Percy’s time at the nursing home in Tupwood name is remembered by his great-niece, who used to visit and be rewarded with 2/- or even 2/6, enough to buy a new book! Percy’s legless room-mate made an impression; his name may have been Bill.157 Percy died on 8th March 1965 at Alexandra House Nursing Home, Tupwood Lane, Caterham Surrey.158 Ivy Gertrude Woolgar was entered into Salter’s Hill School, Gipsy Road on 1 July 1897, she transferred to another school on 2 July 1900.159 She became an office clerk,160 working for John Gardner & co..161 She was reported to have been her father’s favourite and he accompanied her to work on her first day at Smithfield Meat Market.162 On the 8th of April 1922 she married Frederick Herbert Smith , after banns, at St. Clement Danes in the Strand, London. The witnesses were Ivy’s mother and brother, Clara and Percy, Herbert H Smith, Frederick’s father and Muriel Chown Bird who was the sister of Ivy’s brother in law William Bird.163 The story of Ivy’s married life appears in the story of the Smith family.164

Acknowledgements

The late Ella Mary Bird née Woolgar, Paul Blake, the late Muriel Olive Bransden née Bird, the late Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith, Michael Braund, Stuart Valentine, Marion Woolgar.

155 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 156 1911 census for 49, South Croxted Road, Dulwich, Surrey RG14 2134 folio 24. 157 Oral evidence form janet Mary Few néé Braund. 158 The will of Percy James Woolgar 1965, in family possession. 159 Admissions’ Register for Salter’s Hill School, held at The London Metropolitan Archives. 160 1911 census for 7 Chalford Road, Norwood, Surrey RG14 2134 folio 190. 161 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 162 Oral evidence from Gwendoline Catherine Braund née Smith. 163 The marriage certificate of Frederick Herbert Smith and Ivy Gertrude Woolgar 1922, in family possession. 164 See Smith paper.