Ancestors of Mandy Willard

George BECK (1797-?)

and Ann STREETER (1797-1879)

George Back and Ann Streeter were my 4x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married by banns on Sunday 28 September 1817 at the parish church of St. Nicholas in Brighton, Sussex.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster and they were both of Brighton.  The witnesses to their marriage were William Back and Sarah Back.  (William and Sarah were most probably George's brother and sister-in-law.)  (I don't seem to have a photocopy of the entry in the marriage register, and haven't noted whether George and Ann signed or made their marks in the register.  Next time I am over at the ESRO I will double check the register and try and order a copy.  George was just 20 years old and Ann was 19 when they married, so did they marry with parental consent?  Their first known child was baptised 3 years after they married.  Their known children were baptised in 1820, 1824, 1827, 1829, 1836 and 1839.  Might there have been other children born in the gaps?)

George Beck was born on Monday 4 September and baptised on 6 September 1797 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was the fourth son and eighth child of William Beck (1765-1844) and Ann Batchelor (c1762-1846).  His father was a labourer.  In 1820 he was a labourer and living in Church Street, Brighton.  He may have died before 1851 as his wife was described as a widow in the 1851 census.  The death of a George Beck was registered in the first quarter of 1844 in the Brighton registration district, although the burial of a George Beck has not been found the St. Nicholas burial register.  (I have ordered a copy of the death certificate - on 17 July 2009.)

Ann Streeter was born on Sunday 19 November 1797 and baptised on Sunday 31 December 1797 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was the eldest daughter of James Streeter and Ann Alfrey (1777-1843).  Ann died on 24 January 1879 in Brighton.  (I don't have a copy of Ann's death certificate.  I was given her date of death by someone else.)

I have not found George and Ann and their 4 youngest children in the 1841 census.  Their daughter was born in Brighton in 1839, so presumably they were still living in Brighton when the 1841 census was recorded.  Their eldest son was living in Stanmer.  Their eldest daughter was an 18 year old servant living in Richmond Place, Brighton.  I think it possible they were living in one of the poorest and most over crowded areas of Brighton and were probably missed by the census enumerator.  In November 1841, their eldest son married and he was then of Steal's Cottage, and in November 1842 when his daughter was baptised he was of Still's Buildings in Brighton - where was Still's Buildings, might George and Ann have been living there in 1841?

When the 1851 census was recorded Ann was a 52 year old widow, earning her living as a charwoman and residing at 13 Carlton Row, Brighton along with her 2 youngest daughters Fanny and Betsy, and a lodger, 38 year old Frederick Slaughter a married labourer who had been born in Brighton.  The family were sharing the property with the Baker family from Horsham, comprising of 2 parents and 5 daughters.  Therefore, there were 11 people inhabiting what was probably a very small terraced house.  There were 4 people in each 11 and 12 Carlton Row, 8 at number 14 and 5 at 15 Carlton Row.

The 1861 census records that 63 year old Ann was living at 2 Brunswick Court in Brighton (off Oxford Street, which is between London Road and Ditchling Road), where she was a housekeeper to Frederick W. Slaughter, who was then a 51 year old widower and bricklayer's labourer.  Also in the household at that time was Ann's 22 year old unmarried daughter Elizabeth, 3 year old Henry J. Back and 23 year old unmarried boarder, William W. Tutt, who was a butcher.  Ann's daughter Fanny and her husband and daughter were also sharing the property.

The 1871 census records that 61 year old Anne was a boarder in the home of 73 year old Frederick Slaughter at 2 Brunswick (clearly their ages were the wrong way round).  Frederick's place of birth was then given as Beeding.  Also sharing the house was Anne's daughter Elizabeth and her husband and children.

William Frederic Slaughter was baptised on 5 August 1811 in Upper Beeding, Sussex.  He was the son of Thomas Slaughter and Elizabeth (possibly Elizabeth Cozens who had married a Thomas Slaughter in 1800 in Brighton).  The 1881 census records that he was a 74 year old bricklayer's labourer and he was living in the Brighton workhouse at Race Hill.  His place of birth was then recorded as Lower Beeding.  His death may have been registered as 74 year old Frederick William C. Slaughter in the second quarter of 1886 in the Brighton registration district.

George Back and Ann Streeter had 6 known children:

1. George Back was baptised on 24 September 1820 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At that time his parents were of Church Street and his father was a labourer.  George married twice, firstly to Sarah Shearlock in 1841 and then Sarah Bricknell, widow in 1865.  (They have their own page.)

2. Anne Back, my 3x Great Grandmother, was baptised on 1 August 1824 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At that time the family were living in Jerrards Court and her father was a labourer.  She had an illegitimate child by John Simmons.  (They have their own page.)

   Searching through a transcript of the St. Nicholas baptism, 1813-1837, there was only the 1 mention of Jerrards Court.  However, there were several mentions of Jarratts Court in King Street, which was off the south side of Church Street.

3. Jane Beck was baptised on 7 January 1827 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At the time of her baptism the family were living in Pimilco, Brighton and her father was a labourer.

   Pimilco was one of the poorest areas of Brighton, where people lived in appalling conditions along with their pigs and other livestock.  The area was off the north side of Church Street and comprised of alleys and courtyards.

   Jane died after 1901, possibly in the first quarter of 1902 in Brighton, but her age was recorded as 73 years.  Jane was a needlewoman.

   Jane married three times.  Firstly to William Simpson on 25 December 1844 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was a bachelor of full age and a labourer of 12 Crown Gardens.  Jane was a 19 year old spinster of 3 Still's Buildings.  The witnesses to their marriage were George Back and Eliza Bucknell.

   William was baptised on 8 May 1825 at St. Nicholas, Brighton and was the son of Harry Simpson, a shoemaker and Elizabeth West.  His family were of Lime Street, Brighton when he was baptised.  In 1851, William, Jane and her nephew John Simmons Back were living in Gloucester Lane, Brighton.

   Jane next married Frederick Horn on 3 October 1865 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was a 35 year old bachelor and bricklayer.  She was a 39 year old widow, and they were both then of 13 Oxford Street, Brighton.  The witnesses to their marriage were John Horn and Elizabeth Tutt.

   Frederick was born on 10 March 1831 and baptised on 26 June 1831 at the Dorset Gardens Wesleyan chapel in Brighton.  He was the son of Henry Horn  (c1802-?) and Elizabeth Goad (c1802-?).  Frederick died aged 42 years in the fourth quarter of 1873 in Brighton.  In 1841 he was 10 years old and living with his parents and siblings in Oxford Street, Brighton.  When the 1851 census was recorded Frederick was a 19 year old bricklayer's labourer and living at home with his parents at 62 Albion Street, Brighton.

   Jane's third marriage was to James Harris by banns on 27 June 1875 at St. Peter's, Brighton.  He was then a 56 year old widower and labourer, and she a 48 year old widow.  They were both then living at 82 Hanover Terrace in Brighton, and they both made their marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were Samuel Harris and Fanny Green who both made their marks.  Their fathers were named as Moses Harris, labourer and George Back, labourer, who were both deceased.

   James was born about 1817 in Margoset, Leicestershire and was the son of Moses Harris.  In 1881 James was a railway labourer.  The couple were then living at 67 Hanover Terrace, Brighton.  James died aged 71 years in the third quarter of 1887 in Brighton.

   I do not think Jane had any children of her own.  When the 1901 census was recorded Jane was a 74 year old widow, pauper, washer and ironer living in the Brighton workhouse.

4. Caroline Back was baptised on 20 September 1829 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  At that time her family were living in Pimlico, Brighton and her father was a labourer.  She married Stephen Ford in 1847.  (They have their own page.)

5. Fanny Beck was baptised on 10 April 1836 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  Her family were then living in Air Street, Brighton and her father was a labourer.  (Air Street was off Queen's Road, near to where the clock tower stands today.)  She died aged 56 years and her death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1892 in the Brighton registration district.  In 1851 she was a 15 year old calenderess, living with her mother.

   Fanny had an illegitimate daughter:

   1. Jane Ann Back was born in the second quarter of 1853 in Brighton.  She was an 8 year old scholar in 1861.  In 1871 she was a 17 year old domestic servant and her name was recorded in the census as Jane Ann Gambling.  As Jane Ann Back she married William Berwick in the fourth quarter of 1876 in the Brighton registration district.

      William was born about 1855 in Uckfield, Sussex.

      When the 1881 census was recorded the couple and their 3 young daughters were sharing a house at 15 Francis Street in Brighton, along with 62 year old widow Susan Berwick, her 19 year old son James Berwick and her 6 year old grandson, Edward Homewood.  William was a coal porter in 1881.  In 1891 William, Jane and their 6 daughters was living at 19 Grant Street, Brighton and William was then a carpenter's labourer.  They were also sharing the house with 73 year old Susan Berwick and 28 year old James Berwick.  The 1901 census records that the couple, their 4 daughters, William's 81 year old mother Susan and 19 year old boarder Henry Hills were living at 15 St. Paul's Street in Brighton.  William was then a bricklayer's labourer.

      William and Jane had the following known children:

      1. Harriet Berwick was born about 1878 in Brighton.  She was 3 years old in 1881.  In 1891 she was a 13 year old dressmaker's apprentice.

      2. Kate Berwick was born about 1879 in Brighton.  She was 2 years old in 1881.  The 1891 census records that she was a 12 year old domestic servant.

      3. Louisa Jane Berwick was born in 1880 in Brighton.  She was 3 months old when the 1881 census was recorded.  She was a 10 year old scholar in 1891 and the census records that she was a dwarf.  She was 20 in 1901 and the eldest of her sisters living at home.

      4. Mary Jane Berwick was born in about 1883 in Brighton.  She was an 8 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was an 18 year old tailoress.

      5. Susan Berwick was born about 1884 in Brighton.  She was a 7 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was a 17 year old domestic kitchen maid.

      6. Ellen Louisa Berwick was born about 1887 in Brighton.  She was a 4 year old scholar in 1891.  In 1901 she was a 14 year old board school monitoress.

   Fanny married Elijah Gambling in the fourth quarter of 1858 in the Greenwich registration district.

   Elijah was born about 1836-8 in Shotters Mill, Hampshire.  He died aged 78 years and his death was registered in the second quarter of 1914 in the Brighton registration district.

   When the 1861 census was recorded the couple and Jane were living at 2 Brunswick Court in Brighton, the same property as Fanny's mother.  Elijah was then a stoker at the gas works and Fanny was a dressmaker.  In 1871 the couple and Jane were sharing a house with Fanny's nephew John Simmons Back at 87 Coleman Street in Brighton.  Elijah was then a bricklayer and Fanny an ironer.  The 1881 census records that the couple and their son were living at 14 Oxford Street in Brighton and Elijah was a bricklayer.  The couple and their son had moved to 16 Francis Street, Brighton by the time of the 1891 census and Elijah was still earning his living as a bricklayer.

   Elijah and Fanny had 1 known son:

   1. Charles Henry Gambling was born in the second quarter of 1872 in Brighton.  He was an 8 year old scholar in 1881.  In 1891 he was an 18 year old bricklayer.

      Charles married Edith Sarah Field in the first quarter of 1892 in the Brighton registration district.

      When the 1901 census was recorded the couple and their 2 sons were living at 14 Grant Street, Brighton and Charles was a 28 year old stoker at the electric light works.

      They had 2 known sons by 1901:

      1. Charles William Gambling was born in the third quarter of 1895 in Brighton.  He was a 5 year old scholar in 1901.

      2. Arthur Henry Gambling was born in the third quarter of 1900 in Brighton.  He was 8 months old when the 1901 census was recorded.

6. Elizabeth Back was born on 9 February 1839 and baptised on 24 March 1839 in Brighton.  She was also known as Betsy Back.  She died aged 53 years in the fourth quarter of 1892 in Brighton.  (I think I was given her date of birth.  On my next trip to the ESRO I will double check the baptism entry and find out where the family were then living.)  When the 1851 census was recorded she was a 12 year old calenderess.  In 1861 she was an unmarried 22 year old ironer, living with her mother, son, and soon to be hushand.

   Elizabeth had an illegitimate son:

   1. Henry James Back was born on 28 November 1857 at 2 Brunswick Court, Brighton.  He married Sarah Ovett in 1884.  (They have their own page.)

   Elizabeth married William Tutt on 2 June 1861 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  He was then a 22 year old bachelor and labourer.  She was a 22 year old spinster.  They were both of 3 Brunswick Court.  The witnesses were Edmund Tutt and Charlotte Tutt.  (Edmund was William's brother who married Charlotte Bransden on 3 February 1861 at St. Nicholas.)  (Need to double check the address, as when the census was recorded they were living at 2 Brunswick Court.)

   William Wallace Tutt was baptised on 12 May 1839 at St. Nicholas, Brighton and was the son of William Tutt and Eliza Whitbread.  His father was then a labourer.  When the 1851 census was recorded, William was said to be 9 years old and "in the school".  He was living with his 56 year old widower father in the workhouse, along with his 7 year old sister Louisa E. Tutt and 5 year old brother George Tutt.  Their father was then a pauper and a carter and gave his place of birth as Hailsham.

   In 1871 the couple and 3 children were living at 2 Brunswick Court, Brighton, a house they were sharing with Frederick Slaughter and Elizabeth's mother.  William Wallace Tutt was then a bricklayer's labourer and he and Elizabeth were both 32 years old.

   In 1881 the family were living at 2 Brunswick Court, Brighton and William was a painter.

   The 1891 census records that William and Elizabeth were both aged 52 years and living at 14 Francis Street in the parish of St. Peter, Brighton.  William was still earning his living as a painter.  Also with them on census night was their daughter Elizabeth.

   William and Elizabeth had 4 known children:

   1. Elijah William Tutt was born in the first quarter of 1864 in Brighton.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1871.  The 1881 census records his name as William Tutt and he was then a bricklayer's labourer living with his parents and sisters.  He married in the third quarter of 1898 in Brighton.

   2. Fanny Tutt was born about 1867 in Brighton.  She died aged 32 years in the first quarter of 1899 in the Steyning registration district.  She was a 4 year old scholar in 1871.  In 1881 she was a servant.

      Fanny married John Perver in the fourth quarter of 1883 in Brighton.  There were no known children from this marriage.  John may have remarried after Fanny's death, as the births of 4 Perver children were registered in Brighton:  1902 John Cecil Perver, 1905 Winifred Mary Perver, 1910 Nina E. Perver and 1912 Archibald C. G. Perver.  (The 1911 census needs to be checked.  4 month old Nina appears in the 1911 index, but not John or the other children, unless their forenames have been miss spelt.)

      In 1891 the couple were living at 14 Francis Street, Brighton, a house they were sharing with her parents.  John was then a 27 year old fish hawker and Fanny was a 24 year old needlewoman.

      John was born about 1864 in Emsworth, Hampshire (as per the 1891 census) or Chichester, Sussex (as per the 1901 census).  His birth was most probably registered in the first quarter of 1863 in the Westbourne, Sussex registration district and he may have been baptised on 8 February 1863 at Christ Church, Stanstead, Sussex, the son of William Perver (1833-?) and Mary Beuford.  If so, then his paternal grandparents were Thomas Purver and Eliza Triggs.  In 1871, 8 year old John was a scholar living with his 37 year old father William who was an agricultural labourer and his his 53 year old mother Mary, in Racton, Sussex.  His place of birth was then recorded as Stoughton, Sussex.  In 1881 his 45 year old father and 58 year old mother were living in Eartham, Sussex, but John was not with them on census night, nor have I been able to find him in the 1881 census index.  In 1901 he was a single 37 year old fish monger, lodging with Elizabeth Clark at 2 Hollingdean Road, Brighton.

   3. Samuel Tutt was born about 1869.  He may have died young as he was not with his parents when the 1871 census was recorded.

   4. Elizabeth Tutt was baptised on 6 November 1871 at St. Nicholas, Brighton.  She was a scholar when the 1881 census was recorded.  In 1891 she was a 19 year old charwoman.

I had included Sarah Back born about 1828 as part of this family, but I can't remember why I thought this or whether someone else had told me.  The 1851 census records a 23 year old Sarah Beck living in Stanmer, Sussex, with her father William Beck, a 58 year old widower and 11 year old sister Lucy Beck.  Sarah was said to have been born in Stanmer and Lucy in Brighton.  Sarah was baptised on 18 March 1828 in Stanmer and was the daughter of William Back and Lucy Collins.

Sarah had an illegitimate son:

1. George Back died aged 1 week and was buried on 25 July 1851 in Brighton.

1851 census - HO107/1645, folio 292, page 33

13 Carlton Row, Brighton, Sussex

George Baker, Head, 40, Carpenter, born Sussex, Horsham

Jane Baker, Wife, 42, born Kent, Hadlow

Mary Ann Baker, Daur, 16, born Sussex, Horsham

Alice Baker, Daur, 13, Servant, born Sussex, Horsham

Caroline Baker, Daur, 9, Scholar, born Sussex, Horsham

Nelly Baker, Daur, 7, Scholar, born Sussex, Horsham

Olive Baker, Daur, 1, Infant, born Sussex, Horsham

Ann Back, Head, Widow, 52, Charwoman, born Sussex, Brighton

Fanny Back, Daur, 15, Calenderess, born Sussex, Brighton

Betsy Back, Daur, 12, Calenderess, born Sussex, Brighton

Fredk Slaughter, Lodger, Mar, 38, Labourer, born Sussex, Brighton

1861 census - RG9/596, folio 34, page 17

2 Brunswick Court, Brighton, Sussex

Fredk W Slaughter, Head, Widr, 51, Bricklayers lab, born Sussex, Beeding

Ann Back, Ho Keeper, Wid, 63, Washer, born Sussex, Brighton

Elizabeth Back, Daur, Un, 22, Ironer, born Sussex, Brighton

Henry J Back, Son, 3, born Sussex, Brighton

William W Tutt, Boarder, Un, 23, Butcher, born Sussex, Brighton

Elijah Gambling, Head, Mar, 23, Stoker at Gas Works, born Sussex, Shotter Mill

Fanny Gambling, Wife, Mar, 25, Dressmaker, born Sussex, Brighton

Jane A Back, Daur, 8, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

1871 census - RG10/1080, folio 152, page 26

2 Brunswick Court, Brighton, Sussex

Frederick Slaughter, Head, 73, Labourer Bricklayer, born Sussex, Brighton

Anne Back, Boarder, Widow, 61, born Sussex, Brighton

William Wallace Tutt, Head, Mar, 32, Labourer Bricklayer, born Sussex, Brighton

Elizabeth Tutt, Wife, 32, Formerly Ironer, born Sussex, Brighton

Henry James Back, Stepson, 13, born Sussex, Brighton

Elijah William Tutt, Son, 7, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton

Fanny Tutt, Dau, 4, Scholar, born Sussex, Brighton