Sister-in-law Mary Ann Banham's corn and horse forage shop in Lower Sydenham.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Copy of a photograph taken directly by him of his mother Eliza Humphrey in his studio ages 70.This translates into about 1920. All the family wedding and other photographs from 1900 to 1930 show her similiarly dressed and looking unamused in Victorian widows style. When she died in 1931 she owned two properties, 9 and 11 Kent House Road Sydenham. In 1906 her sister-in-law Mary Ann Banham owned a corn and horse forage shop in Lower Sydenham and her son the photographic shop.
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Eliza Pearson Story.
Several sources related that the mother of Eliza Ann Humphrey née Banham fell in love with groom during riding lessons at Stratford St. Mary on the Essex/Suffolk border, was disowned by her father when she married him and that her more soft hearted mother used to give food to the resulting children over the garden wall. The implication of at least middle class birth was supported by the preservation of an embroided sampler giving a full set of numbers and upper plus lower case alphabet letters as well as a signature “ELIZA PEARSONS AGED 15”. One of the subscribers to the noble birth theory was her younger son Walter Banham who revisited his birth place in Stratford St. Mary and pointed out the sights there to Alice Johnston who wrote to me about it much later in 1965:
“The house is on the main London Road and I suppose I should give you directions from the Colchester side. After going down that steep Gun Hill, you turn left along that road to the right, turn at the King’s Head Pub., before you reach the end of the village, on the right hand side you will see there are two old Suffolk houses with wooden frames. Originally they were one house and there is an iron gate between the two. I think it was called the Pieists’ House it is nearly opposite a pub; which I think is the Anchor and it is near this Pub that Joseph Banham used to be groom at the kennels, a Riding Stables… If there are any graves I think there must be Rachel, one of the daughters who died when young. All of them seemed to be musical and sang in the choir.”
The spelling of the name on the sampler was not correct and therefore might have been copied without any implication of literacy. The marriage certificate confirms this since “Eliza Pearson x her mark” is recorded with the actual signature of her husband “Joseph Banham Labourer”. Both not of full age and were Bachelor/Spinster of Stratford St. Mary, November 7 1847. Abraham Banham labourer was present as father of the groom and the witnesses were “Samuel Banham x his mark and Rebecca Banham” Another version of this is in the parish church records. It provides the additional information that their son Joseph was baptised rather quickly afterwards on January 25 1848. The census of 1851 gives information that family were mainly born in Stratford St. Mary.
Joseph Banham aged 23
Eliza Banham born Tattingstone 23
Joseph Banham son 3
Eliza Banham 1
Mary Clarke visitor 17
The Tattingstone trail has so far yielded no further information about the birth of Eliza Person around 1828. Her date of death is also still unclear. However there was a Pearson family in Stratford St. Mary generations earlier; for example Edward Person “late governor of ye Poors House daughters baptised daughters Mary and Charlotte in 1774" and similar later references.
Several sources related that the mother of Eliza Ann Humphrey née Banham fell in love with groom during riding lessons at Stratford St. Mary on the Essex/Suffolk border, was disowned by her father when she married him and that her more soft hearted mother used to give food to the resulting children over the garden wall. The implication of at least middle class birth was supported by the preservation of an embroided sampler giving a full set of numbers and upper plus lower case alphabet letters as well as a signature “ELIZA PEARSONS AGED 15”. One of the subscribers to the noble birth theory was her younger son Walter Banham who revisited his birth place in Stratford St. Mary and pointed out the sights there to Alice Johnston who wrote to me about it much later in 1965:
“The house is on the main London Road and I suppose I should give you directions from the Colchester side. After going down that steep Gun Hill, you turn left along that road to the right, turn at the King’s Head Pub., before you reach the end of the village, on the right hand side you will see there are two old Suffolk houses with wooden frames. Originally they were one house and there is an iron gate between the two. I think it was called the Pieists’ House it is nearly opposite a pub; which I think is the Anchor and it is near this Pub that Joseph Banham used to be groom at the kennels, a Riding Stables… If there are any graves I think there must be Rachel, one of the daughters who died when young. All of them seemed to be musical and sang in the choir.”
The spelling of the name on the sampler was not correct and therefore might have been copied without any implication of literacy. The marriage certificate confirms this since “Eliza Pearson x her mark” is recorded with the actual signature of her husband “Joseph Banham Labourer”. Both not of full age and were Bachelor/Spinster of Stratford St. Mary, November 7 1847. Abraham Banham labourer was present as father of the groom and the witnesses were “Samuel Banham x his mark and Rebecca Banham” Another version of this is in the parish church records. It provides the additional information that their son Joseph was baptised rather quickly afterwards on January 25 1848. The census of 1851 gives information that family were mainly born in Stratford St. Mary.
Joseph Banham aged 23
Eliza Banham born Tattingstone 23
Joseph Banham son 3
Eliza Banham 1
Mary Clarke visitor 17
The Tattingstone trail has so far yielded no further information about the birth of Eliza Person around 1828. Her date of death is also still unclear. However there was a Pearson family in Stratford St. Mary generations earlier; for example Edward Person “late governor of ye Poors House daughters baptised daughters Mary and Charlotte in 1774" and similar later references.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
May 1899
I stayed a fortnight at Cambridge. It was not very nice weather so we did not go far about. Aunt Ruth (Kerridge née Foster) had bronchitis so she could not go out at all. They have got a nice house and garden. I believe your boss is mean to give you only a halfpence per hour more. I hope you will get more soon. Arthur (Fakes of Cambridge, brother of Alfred) has to make himself contented with 8 pence. Uncle (Charles Kerridge) wouldn’t give him 9. It seems to me that men are not satisfied with a fair day’s wages and must always be striking for more. You must talk to your landlady if she doesn’t make you that pudding that you like. George Jaggard and Helena are to be married on the 20th. Old Mr. Clamp has come home again (from Coventry). Father has sold the pigs.
I stayed a fortnight at Cambridge. It was not very nice weather so we did not go far about. Aunt Ruth (Kerridge née Foster) had bronchitis so she could not go out at all. They have got a nice house and garden. I believe your boss is mean to give you only a halfpence per hour more. I hope you will get more soon. Arthur (Fakes of Cambridge, brother of Alfred) has to make himself contented with 8 pence. Uncle (Charles Kerridge) wouldn’t give him 9. It seems to me that men are not satisfied with a fair day’s wages and must always be striking for more. You must talk to your landlady if she doesn’t make you that pudding that you like. George Jaggard and Helena are to be married on the 20th. Old Mr. Clamp has come home again (from Coventry). Father has sold the pigs.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Aril 24th 1899
Father is so busy in the garden now. He has got beans and peas in, and some potatoes and he wants to get them all in. He enjoys the cigars very much. I'm sorry you liked the one you smoked. It ought to have upset you and then you wouldn't want to smoke any more. We think it’s almost a pity for you to join a society (trade union) yet but I suppose they won't let you rest. I hope you will get more money. If you can do as much work as others can you ought to be paid as well. Aunt Ruth (née Foster 2nd, wife of Charles Kerridge) is not well so we cannot go to Cambridge for another fortnight. Ada (eldest daughter) said Aunt was better but not able to come downstairs. The pigs are doing well but I'm afraid they won't be killed soon enough to cure a ham for August, so I shall have to get you something else. There are gooseberries in the garden but not big enough to eat yet. I hear George Thompson is married. He has not lost much time has he. Aunt (Elizabeth Kerridge) went to see Aunt Mary (née? Fakes) last week. She has been very ill again and had just got up as Aunt got there. Mrs. Laddie Roper and old Mrs. Blizzard have died I think since I wrote to you. It was sad about that wreck in the Channel. So many poor creatures lost their lives. It shows us that we need to be prepared to die, as we never know when we may be called to meet our God. I expect Wilfred (Nunn) sends you all the news about the work. I hope you hear some good sermons on Sundays. I am sorry to say we hear some very poor ones. Now dear this must be all as Ag. is ready to go to the posts.
Father is so busy in the garden now. He has got beans and peas in, and some potatoes and he wants to get them all in. He enjoys the cigars very much. I'm sorry you liked the one you smoked. It ought to have upset you and then you wouldn't want to smoke any more. We think it’s almost a pity for you to join a society (trade union) yet but I suppose they won't let you rest. I hope you will get more money. If you can do as much work as others can you ought to be paid as well. Aunt Ruth (née Foster 2nd, wife of Charles Kerridge) is not well so we cannot go to Cambridge for another fortnight. Ada (eldest daughter) said Aunt was better but not able to come downstairs. The pigs are doing well but I'm afraid they won't be killed soon enough to cure a ham for August, so I shall have to get you something else. There are gooseberries in the garden but not big enough to eat yet. I hear George Thompson is married. He has not lost much time has he. Aunt (Elizabeth Kerridge) went to see Aunt Mary (née? Fakes) last week. She has been very ill again and had just got up as Aunt got there. Mrs. Laddie Roper and old Mrs. Blizzard have died I think since I wrote to you. It was sad about that wreck in the Channel. So many poor creatures lost their lives. It shows us that we need to be prepared to die, as we never know when we may be called to meet our God. I expect Wilfred (Nunn) sends you all the news about the work. I hope you hear some good sermons on Sundays. I am sorry to say we hear some very poor ones. Now dear this must be all as Ag. is ready to go to the posts.
Friday, April 14, 2006
March 29th 1899
Aunt Mary (née? Fakes born 1840) came and stayed in a few days when Aunt (Elizabeth Kerridge 1845-1926) and Ag. were in London. She sent kind love to her dear boy. Her son Amos died after a day or two illness. He was at work one Wednesday and buried the next. It is a great grief to Aunt as she was the one that was kind to her. The poor wife has six children to bring up. Mrs. Laddie Roper died suddenly last week- only just got to the top of the stairs, said she could not see and was gone. Another warning for us to be ready to be ready to meet our god. I daresay Wilfred (Nunn) has told you Hubbard has gone to Cambridge and that they have begun the houses near John Nunn. Father has got 3 pigs to see after he got Mr. Sharman to dig some of the land. I think I shall go to Cambridge with Aunt next month for a week or so.
Aunt Mary (née? Fakes born 1840) came and stayed in a few days when Aunt (Elizabeth Kerridge 1845-1926) and Ag. were in London. She sent kind love to her dear boy. Her son Amos died after a day or two illness. He was at work one Wednesday and buried the next. It is a great grief to Aunt as she was the one that was kind to her. The poor wife has six children to bring up. Mrs. Laddie Roper died suddenly last week- only just got to the top of the stairs, said she could not see and was gone. Another warning for us to be ready to be ready to meet our god. I daresay Wilfred (Nunn) has told you Hubbard has gone to Cambridge and that they have begun the houses near John Nunn. Father has got 3 pigs to see after he got Mr. Sharman to dig some of the land. I think I shall go to Cambridge with Aunt next month for a week or so.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
November 18, 1898
I had a letter from Arthur (Kerridge). He said he was going to ask your boss to take you for a year and have a written agreement. One year won’t be so bad as the five years here was and you will be sure of the work. You do have long evenings. Now you can’t read all the time can you, but I suppose you take a walk most evenings. You will be a toff. I wonder if we shall know you. Thank you for Horners. Wilfred lent us the Harmsworth. Did you mean him to keep them? Josiah and Agnes went to Bury a fortnight ago and it rained nearly all the time we were there. We went to John Jo. They are going to move into Cemetery Road nearer the works. Ag. has not been able to earn a shilling this last three weeks. Miss B. (Banyards) has not wanted her. I hope we shall not have Influenza.
I had a letter from Arthur (Kerridge). He said he was going to ask your boss to take you for a year and have a written agreement. One year won’t be so bad as the five years here was and you will be sure of the work. You do have long evenings. Now you can’t read all the time can you, but I suppose you take a walk most evenings. You will be a toff. I wonder if we shall know you. Thank you for Horners. Wilfred lent us the Harmsworth. Did you mean him to keep them? Josiah and Agnes went to Bury a fortnight ago and it rained nearly all the time we were there. We went to John Jo. They are going to move into Cemetery Road nearer the works. Ag. has not been able to earn a shilling this last three weeks. Miss B. (Banyards) has not wanted her. I hope we shall not have Influenza.
Monday, April 10, 2006
October 24th 1898
I'm very glad you are getting on all right with your work but it is rather early to turn out one's comfort. It is not very cold. We had paid the rent but the riches don't roll in very quickly. You see we miss your help. I find a difference in the bread and buns. Ag. went to Miss Banyards 2 days and a half last week. Miss B. presented Ag. with five shillings when she left. B gave her a shilling a day. Miss Keen's mother died suddenly so they had mourning. Rose Holden and Anne Masterstick are apprentices now. Ettie Nunn and S. Hubbard were married the other day, and Charlie White and his bride are staying here. Did I tell you that Mrs. Gee Hayward was dead and that Mr. Gee is going to live near his sons and daughters, near London? Edgar is taking his place as church clerk etc. Anne Hayward has left Langham Hall and going to live fourteen miles through London. How do you think poor Mr. Hunt could afford to give the men 100 pounds. I never heard that he gave them a piece of cake. Father wanted to get some pigs but he can't see any to his mind at present. Thank you dear for the books and the magazine. The Harvest Thanksgiving is on Tuesday. Rather late but they didn't like to have it directly after the bazaar.
I'm very glad you are getting on all right with your work but it is rather early to turn out one's comfort. It is not very cold. We had paid the rent but the riches don't roll in very quickly. You see we miss your help. I find a difference in the bread and buns. Ag. went to Miss Banyards 2 days and a half last week. Miss B. presented Ag. with five shillings when she left. B gave her a shilling a day. Miss Keen's mother died suddenly so they had mourning. Rose Holden and Anne Masterstick are apprentices now. Ettie Nunn and S. Hubbard were married the other day, and Charlie White and his bride are staying here. Did I tell you that Mrs. Gee Hayward was dead and that Mr. Gee is going to live near his sons and daughters, near London? Edgar is taking his place as church clerk etc. Anne Hayward has left Langham Hall and going to live fourteen miles through London. How do you think poor Mr. Hunt could afford to give the men 100 pounds. I never heard that he gave them a piece of cake. Father wanted to get some pigs but he can't see any to his mind at present. Thank you dear for the books and the magazine. The Harvest Thanksgiving is on Tuesday. Rather late but they didn't like to have it directly after the bazaar.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Aug. or Sept. 1898
We had a nice week in Felixstowe. It was very hot so we sat on the beach nearly all day and went for a walk in the evening. We had a nice sitting room and could see the sea from the window, and we had a servant to wait on us. Aunt Nellie and Bessie were with Aunt Lizzie and me. We have six bushels of wheat and plenty of straw and the potatoes are taken up. Not such big ones as they were last year. We haven’t had any rain here yet. Everything is so dry. Father has been doing the windows at Wattisfield. Harry Clark is with Hunt and Morley there, just handing them things etc. They are going to build some more just past John Nunns in the field. Mr. Martineau is at Walsham now so we shall soon have to dub out the rent. Father has fired the gun once I think but he hasn’t sold it. George Jaggard is very ill. Mrs. Jaggard didn’t give me his address. The bazaar was held last Tuesday. They took just over 30 pounds only of course. There are all the expenses to be paid for out of it and I think they had 10 pounds given to them in money as well, so I should think they will be quite out of debt. They have done the house in Square. It was a dusty job. Jane Hunt was married last week. Grand affair. Had the wedding breakfast at the Boar. Her father put 100 pounds on her plate. We had Uncle Charle (Kerridge) and Mr. Shaw for an hour at fortnight ago. They came to look at Hepworth Church. The architect wanted them to send in an estimate. They didn’t get it. A man from North Walsham has got it.
We had a nice week in Felixstowe. It was very hot so we sat on the beach nearly all day and went for a walk in the evening. We had a nice sitting room and could see the sea from the window, and we had a servant to wait on us. Aunt Nellie and Bessie were with Aunt Lizzie and me. We have six bushels of wheat and plenty of straw and the potatoes are taken up. Not such big ones as they were last year. We haven’t had any rain here yet. Everything is so dry. Father has been doing the windows at Wattisfield. Harry Clark is with Hunt and Morley there, just handing them things etc. They are going to build some more just past John Nunns in the field. Mr. Martineau is at Walsham now so we shall soon have to dub out the rent. Father has fired the gun once I think but he hasn’t sold it. George Jaggard is very ill. Mrs. Jaggard didn’t give me his address. The bazaar was held last Tuesday. They took just over 30 pounds only of course. There are all the expenses to be paid for out of it and I think they had 10 pounds given to them in money as well, so I should think they will be quite out of debt. They have done the house in Square. It was a dusty job. Jane Hunt was married last week. Grand affair. Had the wedding breakfast at the Boar. Her father put 100 pounds on her plate. We had Uncle Charle (Kerridge) and Mr. Shaw for an hour at fortnight ago. They came to look at Hepworth Church. The architect wanted them to send in an estimate. They didn’t get it. A man from North Walsham has got it.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Emma Fakes (née Kerridge (seated left) mother and writer of letters to Alfred in Leicester). Born October 16 1841 - Jan 22 1901. Baptized November 14 1841 at Walsham-le-Willows.
Joshia Fakes Father (seated right) April 3 1849-Feb. 6 1926.
Agnes Fakes (seat on ground) youngest daughter, became housekeeper of Josiah and then Mrs. Herbert Miller with adopted son Thomas Wright. Feb 26 1882 - 1937.
Arthur Fakes (back left) son Nov. 8 1877 - March 18 1961.
Edith Fakes (back middle) daughter Jan 23 1870 - late 1959's. Became Mrs. Alfred Gosden.
Alfred Fakes (back right) son Dec. 23 1879 - June 1, 1962.
Letters from Emma Fakes (née Kerridge) to her son Alfred in Leicester, England, carpenter.
August 18th 1898.
We are glad you like your lodgings and hope you will soon get a rise. You were lucky not to have to pay for your boxes. Did the eggs get broken? I thought about you last week when it was so hot and wondered if you felt tired. They began the harvest here last week. Father will finish cutting the wheat this evening. They have had nice weather at present. Wilfred (Nunn) wonders why you have not written to him. We didn’t listen to old Fry last Sunday. Mr. Wixted was here and will be next. I expect you heard some good sermons. It’s a nice Chapel where uncle goes isn’t it. There are few gooseberries on the bushes now. Clamps house is tiled in and the engine house is put up at Hepworth. Mr. Eagling inquired about you. Glad you are getting on all right. Father has got 130 sheaves of wheat. Agnes (Fakes) went to Wattisfield last Sat. on a bike. Aunt Mary was fairly well.
August 18th 1898.
We are glad you like your lodgings and hope you will soon get a rise. You were lucky not to have to pay for your boxes. Did the eggs get broken? I thought about you last week when it was so hot and wondered if you felt tired. They began the harvest here last week. Father will finish cutting the wheat this evening. They have had nice weather at present. Wilfred (Nunn) wonders why you have not written to him. We didn’t listen to old Fry last Sunday. Mr. Wixted was here and will be next. I expect you heard some good sermons. It’s a nice Chapel where uncle goes isn’t it. There are few gooseberries on the bushes now. Clamps house is tiled in and the engine house is put up at Hepworth. Mr. Eagling inquired about you. Glad you are getting on all right. Father has got 130 sheaves of wheat. Agnes (Fakes) went to Wattisfield last Sat. on a bike. Aunt Mary was fairly well.
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