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Smith
Genealogy
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21 August 2006 |
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Dr G.M.W.Mann. Baytrees Burnhams Rd, Lt.Bookham Surrey, U.K. KT23 3AU |
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5 Francis Speakman SMITH 1806-1862
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m Susannah CORNELL 1827
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Francis Speakman was baptised at Gt Leighs in 1806, son of farmer John SMITH. His name commemorates the maiden surname of his mother Ann Martha. Both the SMITH and the SPEAKMAN families were relatively wealthy, but little seems to have come Francis' way. He married Susannah CORNELL at Finchingfield when he was 21, and a daughter Susanna Speakman was born the following year at Waltham. For a while, Francis was a shoemaker at Braintree, but some time after, the family moved towards London, probably East Ham. Francis was a grocer there in 1848, but shortly after became a customs officer as a tidewaiter - officers who meet incoming ships. Francis was promoted to a first class tidewaiter and then in 1858 aged 52 he was appointed gatekeeper of the Victoria Docks in Canning Town, West Ham. For this post he had to be able to read and write and do arithmetic if necessary. The hours were from 6am to 8pm in summer and 7am to 6pm in winter; Sundays until relieved about 9am. He earned about £70 pa. After 4 years in this post with its long hours, Francis contracted TB and died in the Chest Hospital Bethnal Green. |
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age DATE FS SC |
EVENT |
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19May1806 5Oct1827 21 21 9Oct1827 21 21 1829 23 23 27Jul1832
26 26 6Jun1841 35 35 1848 42 42 18Jan1848
42 42 30Mar1851
45 45 25Sep1851
45 45 19Feb1858
52 52 7Apr1861 55 55 11Aug1862 56 56 |
Francis Speakman baptised at Gt.Leighs son of John, a farmer, & Ann
Martha SMITH applied for m licence to marry Susannah CORNELL at Finchingfield Francis Speakman SMITH and Susannah x CORNELL m at Finchingfield; w:
Sarah SMITH, John SMITH dau Susannah born at Gt or Lt Waltham Susannah and Alfred, children of Francis & Susannah SMITH of
Braintree, shoe maker, C at Braintree census not found Francis SMITH listed as a grocer at South End, East Ham dau Susannah m at Haggerstone; Francis described as a grocer but did
not witness the marriage census not found Francis SMITH enrolled as a customs officer (tidewaiter) Francis appointed gatekeeper of the Victoria Docks, West Ham census not found Francis died of TB at the Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, Bethnal
Green |
b=born m=married d=died
C=Christened B=Buried
Francis'
death certificate gives a birth date of about 1806; and his daughter Susannah
was born at Waltham. There is a
suitable baptism in the neighbouring parish of Gt.Leighs. The unusual forenames identify this baptism
with confidence:
C 19May1806 Francis Speakman at Gt.Leighs son of John & Ann Martha SMITH
Francis'
daughter Susannah was born about 1829 at Waltham; 2 years previously a marriage
licence and marriage at Finchingfield was recorded of Francis Speakman
SMITH. Although Finchingfield is a few
parishes away from the Walthams, the timing and correct forenames identifiy
this marriage with confidence:
Francis Speekman SMITH bch of
Finchingfield age 21, and Susannah CORNELL of Finchingfield age 21
spinster. Susannah CORNELL had her usual
place of abode in Finchingfield for 15 days last. To marry at Finchingfield
m 9Oct1827 Francis Speakman SMITH otp
& Susannah x CORNELL otp by licence.
w: Sarah SMITH, John SMITH,
Susannah-4
was born at Waltham c1829, and married at Finchingfield, but no baptisms for
Francis & Susannah have been found in either placee. No census returns have been found, and only
two possible baptisms, both at Braintree, both on the same day:
C 27Jul1832 Susannah d Francis &
Susannah SMITH of Braintree, shoe maker
C 27Jul1832 Alfred s Francis & Susannah SMITH of
Braintree, shoe maker
Braintree
is some 5 miles north of the Walthams and on the way to Finchingfield. It seems likely that these are baptisms to
Francis Speakman SMITH but further evidence is needed, such as the 1841 census
which has not yet been found for this family.
No further record of Alfred has been found including the 81 census
index.
d 11Aug1862 Francis Speakman SMITH male 56,
custom house officer, at Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, of phthisis in
left lung
r 16Aug1862 by H J LANCHESTER at Bethnal
Green (Green) MDX
the Christian names and age at death
identify this death with confidence
death of
Susannah has not been found; only possible entry in 81 census is Susan SMITH
wid b1806 Waltham Abbey; despite corrct age and possible error of Waltham Abbey
for Waltham, 2 children were born Waltham Abbey and Ware HRT which indicates
altham Abbey is correct and so not Susannah CORNELL.
Susannah
therefore probably died before 1881
none found
41 census:
probably still in Essex in Waltham/Braintree area
51 census:
probably in East or West Ham; not found in East Ham district
61 census:
did the family escape the census behind the Victoria Dock walls? not found in
East Ham index
the
unexpected occupation at death led to a search of Customs Records at PRO:
25Sep1851 Francis SMITH and William HILTON
made the declaration required by law. [Francis signed in a good hand]
CUST 40/11(B) - records of promotions etc of customs
officers
19Feb1858 F.S.Smith and J.Wishart,
Tidewaiters of the First Class, appointed to take charge of the Gates of the
Victoria London Docks which are open from 6am to 8pm in summer and from 7am to
6pm in winter. Also that Smith and
Wishart may be relieved every Sunday by two officers to be sent from London by
the first train which usually arrives at the Victoria Docks about 9 oclock in
the morning.
Previous note
implied that these were new posts; Parliamentary papers summarizing wages of
customs gave gatekeepers wage as £68 pa, about the same as a 1st class
tidewaiter. Examination of candidates
required that they should read and write and do arithmetic if necessary; also
honest, healthy etc
Francis SMITH grocer at South End, East
Ham
Francis
was a grocer at the time of his daughter's m in Jul1848; Victoria Docks were in
East Ham, so this is probably a correct reference. By 1851 however, the grocers at South End (=Church Rd) was not
occupied by SMITH