The 19th C North London Broket clan

This clan lived mainly in Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Hackney and Poplar and descended from two brothers born in Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire:

1. Edward of Shoreditch 1798-1862
2. Daniel of Bethnal Green 1805-63

In their late teens both brothers had separately spent a month doing hard labour in Bedford gaol, which may have motivated them to find a new life in the capital. Edward’s line will die out in the male line by next generation, but Daniel’s has descendants still living.

1. Edward Brockett of Shoreditch 1798-1862

Elder son of Daniel and Mary MABBOT of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, Edward was baptised there 29 Jun 1798.¹ Edward married Mary Anne SPENCER 31 Aug 1822 in St Giles Cripplegate, London.² In 1851 his occupation was Warehouseman³ and 1852 a Fruiterer.⁴ Edward died 1862 in Shoreditch.⁵ There is no apparent record of Mary Anne’s remarriage or death in the GRO.⁶

The IGI recorded the baptisms of all Edward and Mary Ann’s children at St Leonard’s Shoreditch, except Henry Charles’ at St John the Baptist Shoreditch; mother’s name Ann for the first two, Mary Ann for the others:

1. Edward, bap 1 Sep 1823. Died young, at least by 1835, when sibling Edward was baptised.
2. Josiah, bap 1 Sep 1823. Most probably died young. No record in the GRO and not at parents’ home for the 1841 census.
3. Mary Ann, bap 13 Mar 1827. Died young? Not at parents’ home for the 1841 census. No apparent marriage or death record in the GRO.
4. Emma Ann, bap 15 Oct 1832. Married 12 Dec 1852 Joseph THIRGOOD St Botolph, Bishopgate, E London, she a Spinster, 21, residing 18 Baker’s Buildings, he a Bachelor, 21, Greengrocer, residing 25 Baker’s Buildings.⁷.
5. Edward Thomas, bap 27 Sep 1835; m Margaret HATELEY; d 1868 Bethnal Green.
6. Henry Charles, b 1840, Shoreditch, bap 20 Aug 1847; m Maria KEMP; d 1896 Hackney.

The IGI recorded only 4 other Broket events at St Leonard’s Shoreditch—all marriages within an earlier 30 year period 1769-98:

1. 18 Sep 1769 Martha married Julian WATSON
2. 28 May 1775 Nicholas married Margery WESTIN
3. 30 Jan 1776 Sarah married William LEE
4. 23 Jan 1798 Martha married Thomas ARCHER

It isn’t known who these were. Some, if not all, would have been related, but probably none to Edward and Mary Ann, who married there 24 years after the last. Edward and Mary Ann were the only couple recorded in St Leonard’s Shoreditch from 1822 on.

Census records for Edward and Mary Anne:    Read more

1.1. Edward Thomas c 1835-68

First surviving son of Edward and Mary Anne SPENCER, bap 27 Sep 1835 St Leonard’s Shoreditch. Occupation: Clerk.⁸ He is the only Edward Thomas recorded in the IGI. He married Margaret HATELEY probably 1855-7.⁹

Census records for Edward Thomas’ family:    Read more

1. Abigail Mary, b 1857 Whitechapel,¹¹ bap 26 Jul 1857 St Matthew Bethnal Green.¹² Married 1881 Alf ….¹³ Not found in the 1891 census. She was still alive c 1920.
2. Clara Margaret, b 1859. Clara is not in the IGI, unlike Abigail and Jessie, but nor is Edward Jasper there. Clara perhaps became separated from her siblings when her father died when she would only have been 9 years old. Married 1885 Bethnal Green.¹⁴
3. Jessie, b 1863 Bethnal Green,¹⁵ bap 27 Sep 1863, All Saints, Stepney.¹⁶ This was the church where 1st cousin Daniel married Sophia WACKETT in 1847. Jessie died 1865, Bethnal Green before she was 2.¹⁷
4. Edward ‘Ted’ Jasper, b Mar 1866 Bethnal Green;¹⁸ d 1947 Hackney aged 81.¹⁹ His daughter Violet said he was born within the sound of the Bow Bells, and brought up in an orphanage, where he received a good education.He married 1st Emma PICKIN 10 Mar 1889 in ?St Thomas Church, Bethnal Green, he aged 24, Bachelor, Porter—wrongly named Edward Joseph—she 21, Spinster, both residing 51 Ravenscroft St, both fathers deceased.²⁰ Emma died 12 years later in 1901, aged 33, in Bethnal Green,²¹ without issue. He married 2nd Elizabeth Jane BENNELLICK 25 Dec 1904 in Friernhay Congregational Church, Exeter, he aged 38, Widower, Chef, residing 18, Stockmar Rd, Hackney, she 23, Spinster, Cook, residing Exeter.²² She was born c 1881 Exeter and died 27 Sep 1956. Census records for Edward Jasper and family:    Read more
   
   

   1891	Edward J, aged 25 and Emma, 23, both living and born in London.
   1901	On his own in 10 Nelson St, Bethnal Green, Edward, aged 35, b Old Ford London, Cook in Restaurant. His 1st wife Emma would recently have died.
   1911	At 41 Stockmar Rd, Hackney, London, Edward J, aged 45, Head, Restaurant Cook, b Old Ford London; Wife Elizabeth J, 29, b Exeter, Devon; Gladys E, 5, b Hackney; Grace M M, 3, b Hackney. 2 children born alive, 2 still living. 2 rooms in the dwelling (6 crossed out). Entry signed and written by Edward.

   
   Curiously—and as it turns out, mistakenly—the 1901 census recorded the next family in the building also as Brocketts, 10 of them all born Bethnal Green:

   James, aged 42, ie b c 1859, Tobacco Packer; Sarah, 42, ie b c 1859; Sarah, 20, ie b c 1881, Fancy Box Maker; George, 17, ie b c 1884, Colour; Mary, 14, ie b c 1887, Machinist Caps; Rosetta, 12, ie b c 1889; Robert, 11, ie b c 1890; Florence, 10, ie b c 1891; Thomas, 9, ie b c 1892; Harry, 4, ie b c 1897.

   However, no James is known in Edward’s clan, and neither the GRO, nor the 1881, 1891 or 1911 censuses, nor Scottish records show any trace of this family before or after 1901. It appears to have been an enumerator’s mistake, and their name wasn’t Brockett at all. The original page²³ recorded 4 households in 10 Nelson St: the Kearney family with 8 children, Edward on his own, a Thomas Curtis and his daughter, and this James, Tobacco Packer, and Sarah and their 8 children. The enumerator wrote ‘ditto’ in the surname column by mistake for James on the line following Edward. An electronic search for Rosettas b c 1889 Bethnal Green in the 1891 census didn’t find this family. The 1911 census showed none of them under Brockett.

   Children:

   1. Gladys Elizabeth, b c 1905 Hackney;²⁴ m Alfred READING, 1926;²⁵ d 1995 choking on a boiled egg.
   2. Grace Margaret Mary, b 1908 Hackney;²⁶ d 10 Feb 1946, Hackney; m 1940 Frank WILTSHIRE in Hackney.²⁷ Died aged 37 without issue.
   3. Violet May, b 2 Dec 1913; d unm 2004 Wanstead, E London, aged 91.
   4. Winifred Lily, b 2 Dec 1913; m 1st George DAVIS; m 2nd Victor Alfonso TROUPE, 22 Mar 1958, Hackney Town Hall; d Jul 1995. Winnie d 2004 Wanstead, E London, aged 91.
   5. Laurance Edward, b 31 Aug 1919, Hackney District, London, mother formerly Bennelick;²⁸ m 1953 Joan Clare Emily RANDALL, Ilford District.²⁹ In 1939 “Joan Randall (with “Clara Emily” and “Brockett” added later), born 6 Jan 1928, at School”, was living with parents Edward J and Edith E Randall at 113 Bennett’s Castle Lane, Barking and Dagenham, Essex.³⁰ Laurence Edward died 5 Dec 1995, aged 76, residing 379 (or 397) Manford Way, Chigwell, Essex, Administration London and Ipswich 17 Jan, not exceeding £14,000.³¹ 1 daughter.

1.2. Henry Charles 1840-96

Second surviving son of Edward and Mary Anne SPENCER, b 1840 Shoreditch.³² He was baptised 20 Aug 1847 St John the Baptist, Shoreditch, aged 7.³³. Called Charles in the 1851 census but otherwise usually Henry. For the 1861 census he was living with his parents in Shoreditch, aged 21, but married Maria KEMP later that year in Shoreditch.³⁴ She was born c 1843 and probably died 1928 Hackney, aged 86.³⁵ His occupation General Merchant’s Clerk.³⁶

Census records for Henry Charles and Maria:    Read more

1. Charles William Edward, b and d 1862 Shoreditch.³⁸
2. Charles Henry, b 1864 Shoreditch.³⁹ No apparent marriage in the GRO. Probably didn’t marry or have children—In 1901 and 1911 he was living with his mother aged 36 and 46.⁴⁰ Occupation: Tea Trade. He died 3 May 1940 in Headington, Oxford, aged 76, ie b c 1864,⁴¹ estate of £4517 13s resworn £4332 11s 2d to [brother] Aubrey William Brockett retired Civil Servant,⁴² who was living in Oxford.
3. Ernest Lyon, b 1867 Shoreditch.⁴³ No apparent marriage in the GRO. Probably didn’t marry or have children—in 1901and 1911 he was living with his mother aged 34 and 44.⁴⁴ Died 1931 Hackney aged 64.⁴⁵
4. ? Edith, died 1870 Shoreditch aged 1.⁴⁶
5. ? daughter died 1870 Shoreditch aged 0.⁴⁷
6. Aubrey William, b 1871 Shoreditch.⁴⁸ He married Maria Margaret … 1896 in Oxford.⁴⁹ Child:
   1. Grace Margaret, b 1902 Edmonton.⁵⁰ A spinster in 1967.

   Census records for Aubrey and Maria:    Read more

   1901	In Tottenham Mdx, Aubrey, aged 29, b Dalston, London, Metropolitan Engineer’s Clerk; Maria, 29, b Oxford; Grace Margaret, 3.
   1911	At 41 Cricketfield Rd, Clapton, London, Aubrey Wiliam, aged 39, Head, Clerk 2nd class Engineering Dept, GPO, b London; Wife Maria Margaret, 39, b Oxford; Daughter Grace Margaret, 8, b Tottenham. 1 child born alive, still living. 8 rooms in the dwelling. Entry signed but probably not written by Aubrey. Also in the house was Catherine Dingley Kemp, Aunt, 71, Widow, Private Means, b London.

   
   Aubrey’s occupation later in life: Civil Servant. Maria Margaret (wife of Aubrey William) died in Headington, Oxford, 27 May 1942 estate of £1815 10s 2d to Grace Margaret Brockett spinster.⁵¹ Four months later on 15 Sep 1942, Aubrey died in Oxford aged 71,⁵² estate of £2495 11s 5d to Grace Margaret Brockett spinster.⁵³
7. Augustus Edward, b 1874 Hackney;⁵⁴ d 1943 Edmonton aged 70.⁵⁵ He married Amy Louise MORRIS in Hackney 1906.⁵⁶ Amy died 1932 Edmonton aged 56, ie b c 1876.⁵⁷ His occupation: Shipping Trade; Builder’s Estimator.⁵⁸ Census records for Augustus and Amy:    Read more
   
   

   1911	At 18 Mount Pleasant Lane, Upper Clapton, London, Augustus Edward, aged 37, Head, Merchants Clerk, b Hackney; Wife Amy Louisa, 35, b Hackney; Son Leslie Augustus, 2, b Clapton. 1 child born alive, still living. 6 rooms in the dwelling (8 crossed out). Entry signed and written by Augustus.

   
   Children:
   1. Leslie Augustus, b 1908 Hackney;⁵⁹ m 29 Feb 1964 Doris Emily Elise MERRITT, at the Register Office, Wood Green, Middlesex, he aged 55, Bachelor, Master Builder, residing 322 North Circular Rd, Palmers Green, she 54, Spinster, Cook (Restaurant), of 28 Sidney Avenue, Palmers Green.⁶⁰ No apparent issue recorded in the GRO. He died 7 Feb 2006, The Laleham Residential Home, 117/121 Central Parade, Herne Bay, Kent, Will pr Brighton 27 Apr, value of estate not exceeding £67,000.⁶¹
   2. Evelyn Amy, b 16 May 1913 at 18 Mount Pleasant Lane, Upper Clapton, Hackney.⁶². Died unmarried 2 Sep 1986, The Grove, Chase Rd, South Gate, London N14, Administration Brighton 20 Aug, estate not exceeding £40,000,⁶³.
8. Spencer Marshall, b 1877 Hackney;⁶⁴ d 1954 Rochford, Essex aged 77.⁶⁵. He married Ethel Jane LOWSON 1923 Hackney.⁶⁶ His occupation: Company Director. Child: George Spencer, b 3 Jul 1925 Edmonton.⁶⁷ His occupation: Bank Official. He married 1st 1955 … …, Southend, Essex,⁶⁸ divorced; m 2nd 1961 … … Thurrock Essex.⁶⁹ 2 daughters. He died 19 Oct 1999 at 57 New Rd, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Essex, Will pr Ipswich 5 Apr, net not exceeding £200,000.⁷⁰

2. Daniel Brockett of Bethnal Green 1805-63

Younger son of Daniel and Mary MABBOT of Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, Daniel was baptised there 2 Jun 1805.⁷¹ Occupation 1847 and 77: Warehouseman,⁷² 1851 and 55 Porter.⁷³ He married 1st Rachel SPURGE 22 Nov 1829 Christchurch Greyfriars Newgate, London.⁷⁴ She died 1845 in Bethnal Green.⁷⁵ They had no known children. He married 2nd Sophia WACKET 21 Feb 1847 in All Saints, Mile End New Town, Stepney, he a Warehouseman and Widower residing George St, Spicer St, she a Spinster, residing Webber St, Lambeth.⁷⁶ All Saints was the church where 1st cousin Edward baptised his daughter Jessie in 1863. Sophia’s father was James Wacket of Bell House Farm, Chadwell Heath, Becontree, Essex.⁷⁷ Daniel marked with an X on the various certificates of his children, although Sophia signed.⁷⁸ The IGI records of both marriages spell his name with two ‘t’s.

Sophia died 16 Sep 1861 at 19 Foster St, Bethnal Green, of Cordivi disease, General Dropsy, aged 36 (22 years younger than Daniel), Daniel’s occupation Porter.⁷⁹ She was about 22 years younger than Daniel. Daniel died 12 Nov 1863, aged 60, Labourer, in the London Hospital, Whitechapel, of Sudden Effusion into Ventricles of Brain, informant Coroner for Middlesex after an inquest on 14 Nov 1863—surname recorded as Blockett.⁸⁰ Daniel was buried 19 Nov 1863 in Bow Cemetery, again recorded as Blockett. The story goes that the couple had some wealth, but that the Wacketts wrongfully inherited it on Daniel’s death.

Census records for Daniel and family:    Read more

1. Sarah, b 29 Nov 1847, 2 Digby Walk, Bethnal Green;⁸² d 21 Apr 1851, 10 Gt George St, Bethnal Green, aged 3½, after being in a fire over a baker’s shop which may have caused the ‘Fever 14 days, Convulsions 3 days’.⁸³
2. William Daniel, b 14 Jun 1850, Bethnal Green; married Mary Ann PINKHAM 1873; d 1919, Poplar.
3. Edward, b 24 Jun 1852, 18 Digby St, Bethnal Green;⁸⁴ d 2 Jul 1855, 32 Pott St, Bethnal Green, from Dropsy after Scarlet Fever.⁸⁵
4. Frederick, b 10 Dec 1855, 32 Pitt St, Bethnal Green.⁸⁶ He married Mary Ann CUTTS 3 Jun 1877 St Marks Whitechapel, Middx, his occupation Waiter, residing 5 Newnham St, Whitechapel.⁸⁷ Ocupation 1878 Waiter;⁸⁸ 1893 Cellarman.⁸⁹ Census records for Frederick and Mary Ann and family:    Read more
   
   

   1881	The family was in Bethnal Green, Frederick, aged 25, Porter, born Bethnal Green, with wife Mary Ann, 23, born Bethnal Green, and son Frederick.
   1891	At 49 Trego Rd, St Mary Stratford Bow, Mary Ann, aged 33, was Head with son Frederick, 11, b Commercial Rd, London, and son Samuel, 4, b Bromley. Frederick snr wasn’t there, and is not apparently recorded elsewhere in the 1891 census.
   1901	Recorded under Brockell: Frederick, aged 45, b Bethnal, Pot Man; Mary, 43, b Vie Pk Essex; Samuel, 14, b Upton Pk, Milk Boy. Frederick jnr would have been 21, but wasn’t recorded under Brockell or Brockett.
   1911	At 68 Seymour Rd, E Ham, Essex: Frederick, Head, aged 55, Potman working in the Licensed Victualler trade, b London St George; Wife Mary Ann, 53, b City Tower Hill; son Frederick, 31, Single, Barman, b Middlesex Bromley; daughter Gertrude, 17, Single, Assisting at home, b Middlesex, Victoria Rd. 3 children born alive, 3 still living. 5 rooms in the dwelling. Entry signed and written by Frederick. Son Samuel, 24, Single, was Barman at the Cock Hotel, High St, N East Ham, b Middlesex Bromley.

   
   Frederick snr was a witness to son Samuel’s marriage 1912 and probably died 1924 W Ham, aged 68.⁹⁰ Children:
   1. Elizabeth, b 31 Dec 1877 at 32 Nelson St, Mile End Old Town Western, London;⁹¹ died 1878 Mile End.⁹²
      
   2. Frederick, b 1880, St George East, London,⁹³ Tower Hill Ec.⁹⁴ “10 Aug 1898, Frederick Brockett of Bow, London, aged 18 years 4 months [i.e. b Feb 1880], Labourer, resided in Father’s house for the last 3 years, Single, attested in the Royal West Kent Regiment for 12-20 years, service #5238″.⁹⁵ To be distinguished from his 1st cousin Frederick James Brockett, b 1877, who attested for the HLI 13 Nov 1894, see below—their signatures on their attestation papers are different. Unlike Frederick James, this Frederick, b 1880, was recorded in the South African War (aka Anglo-Boer War) of 1899-1902, see the separate page. Thus he hasn’t been found in the 1901 census for England.
      +++
      He was witness to brother Samuel’s marriage 1912, as Frederick ‘Jnr’. Died 1963 E Ham London, as Frederick C, aged 84.⁹⁶ No apparent marriage recorded—he wasn’t the Frederick Charles who married 1914 Mile End London. But he was the Frederick Charles of 68 Seymour Rd, East Ham, Essex, d 4 Dec 1963 at East Ham Memorial Hospital, Will pr London 10 Jan to Brian Ernest EDWARDS, Solicitor £292,⁹⁷ as the GRO recorded him as dying aged 84.⁹⁸
   3. Samuel George, b 27 Jul 1886, Poplar.⁹⁹ He “married Alice Rosina COX 11 Feb 1912 in St Albans Upton Park, E Ham, his residence 68 Seymour Rd, E Ham, occupation Publican, hers 34 Parr Rd, E Ham, occupation Machinist”.¹⁰⁰ 1921 25 Apr: “Samuel G Brockett, Head, aged 35, married, born Bromley, Essex, Labourer Plater’s, was recorded living with wife Alice R Brockett, aged 35, married, born Canning Town, Essex, House Work, at 28 Whittaker Road, East Ham, E6, with sons Samuel, aged 7 years 9 months, and Herbert, aged 4 years 1 month, both born Upton Park, Essex”.¹⁰¹ Samuel’s occupation 1937, Labourer,¹⁰² 1942 Boiler Maker,¹⁰³ 1951 Bricklayer.¹⁰⁴ 1939 29 Sep: “Samuel G Brockett, born 27 Jul 1886, married, General Labourer, Heavy worker, was recorded living with Alice R Brockett, born 7 Oct 1886, married, in Domestic Duties, at 38 Whittaker Road, Upton Park, Newham, East Ham, with [son] Herbert C Brockett, born 21 May 1917, Single, Gents. Hairdresser”.¹⁰⁵ “Alice died 26 Jun 1944 at Whipps Cross Hospital, Forest, Essex, aged 58 [ie b c 1886], of cerebral thrombosis and diabetes, residing 28 Creighton Ave, E Ham, wife of Samuel Brockett, Storekeeper, informant, of same address”.¹⁰⁶ He died 1958 E Ham London, aged 72, [ie b c 1886].¹⁰⁷ Children:
      1. Samuel Frederick George, b 2 Sep 1913 Newham, E Ham. He died 12 Sep 1997, retired Milk Salesman of Kessingland, Suffolk, of myocardial infarction.¹⁰⁸ Married 20 Mar 1937 Doreen Joan NEWMAN Chelmsford Cathedral, Essex, he aged 23, Bachelor, Van Driver, of 38 Whittaker Rd, East Ham, she 18, Spinster, of 6a Corporation Rd, Chelmsford.¹⁰⁹ She died 23 Sep 1995 at King George Hospital, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex, retired Florist, of intra cerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage and ruptured berry aneurism of right middle cerebral artery.¹¹⁰ 1 son.
      2. Herbert Charles, b 1917 W Ham;¹¹¹ was living with his parents in 1921 and 1939; and married 30 May 1942 Margaret Diana NAYLOR, St Matthew’s, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, he aged 27, Bachelor, Despatch Rider, residing 21 Wilson Rd, E Ham, E 6, son of Samuel George Brockett, Boiler Maker, she 22, Spinster, Sundstrand operator, residing 9 Westfield Terrace, Leeds 7, daughter of Joseph Edward Naylor, Metal Store-keeper, witnesses: Joan Edna Scott, Edward Stephen Naylor:¹¹²
         +++
         
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         The couple had 1 daughter, but divorced before 7 Apr 1951, when “Herbert Charles BROCKETT married Ada King UNDERDOWN, formerly BARTON, otherwise BROWN, in the Register Office, W Ham, he aged 35, Hairdresser, Divorced husband of Margaret Diana BROCKETT formerly NAYLOR spinster, residing 28 Creighton Ave, E Ham, she 35, Divorced wife of Charles Henry UNDERDOWN, Tobacco Stripper, residing 16 Braemar Rd, Plaistow, daughter of William E BROWN (deceased), S Brockett a witness”.¹¹³ In 1939 “Ada Underdown (later Brockett, and then Bonner), born 17 Apr 1915, in Unpaid Domestic Duties, Married, had been recorded at 3 Redriffe Road, West Ham C.B., Essex, in the home of William E Brown, born 27 Feb 1868, Retired Electrician, Widower, with her husband Charles H Underdown, born 9 Jun 1912, Laboratory Assistant Power Station, Married”.¹¹⁴ Herbert Charles Brockett died 1977 in Brent London, aged 60 (born 21 May 1917).¹¹⁵ No Will is recorded in the LPR. Ada Brockett married Robert K Bonner 1981 in Newham, Essex.¹¹⁶ Margaret Diana Brockett died 13 Jan 1992, Scarborough, Yorkshire, aged 73 (born 28 Nov 1919).¹¹⁷
   4. Gertrude, b 27 Jun 1893, 49 Trego Rd, Bow, Poplar.¹¹⁸ ?Died unm 1948 Essex SW, aged 54.¹¹⁹

2.1. William Daniel b 1850

William Daniel 1st s/o of Daniel and Sophia was born 14 Jun 1850 in Bethnal Green,¹²⁰ bap 14 Jul 1850, Stepney All Saints,¹²¹ and died 1919 in Poplar.¹²² Labourer in 1884,¹²³ Dock Labourer in 1887,¹²⁴ Navvy in 1911.¹²⁵ Working in the Sanitary Dept, Borough Council in 1912.¹²⁶ William is the only one of Daniel and Sophie’s 4 children recorded in the IGI and the only one not in the GRO—whether under William or Daniel. He married Mary Ann PINKHAM 1873 in Bethnal Green.¹²⁷ Some time after 1887 her family changed their name to Humphreys, and when registering her children, Mary Ann also then gave her former name as HUMPHREYS. She signed with an X.¹²⁸ She was a drinker and spent 3 months in jail once for this. Many of the children were tee total as a result. She died 1919 in Poplar¹²⁹ ‘within a week of her husband of a broken heart’.¹³⁰

Census records for William and Mary Ann and family:    Read more

1. William ‘Bill’ Frederick, b 1875 Bethnal Green.
2. Frederick James, b 1877, Bethnal Green; d 29 May 1956, Ilford.
3. Alice Eliza, b 1879, Mile End;¹³¹ d 1951, Essex SW,¹³² bur 27 Nov 1951. Married 1899 Q3Henry ‘Harry’ OTTERBACH in Poplar. During the war because of anti-German feeling, they changed their name to DUFFY. Issue 5 daughters, 2 sons.
   

   Alice Eliza c 1920

4. Richard ‘Dick’ Joseph, b 27 Oct 1881, Bromley; d 4 Jul 1934, Whitechapel.
5. Arthur John, b 1884, Poplar; d 20 Feb 1967, Hanwell, Ealing.
6. Edward ‘Ted’ Thomas, b 24 May 1887, 30 Gurley St, Bromley, Poplar; d 22 Oct 1938, Poplar.
7. Rosa, b 1890, Poplar;¹³³ d 21 Aug 1961, Romford, Essex. Married 19 Mar 1911 Stanley NEWMAN, 21, Bachelor, Stoker, she as Rose, 21, Spinster, both of 53 Devas Street, in St Andrews Parish Church, Bromley, Poplar, witness brother Edward Thomas.¹³⁴ Therefore not in the 1911 census as Brockett. Copies of letters to brothers and a photo in the Archive. Buried 24 Aug 1961. Stan died that day getting ready for the funeral. Children: Frank, Rose and Gladys.
8. Edith, b 1894, Poplar.¹³⁵ Probably married 1919 Q3, Poplar, to … LEWINTON.¹³⁶ Issue.¹³⁷

2.2. William Frederick b 1875

1st son of William Daniel and Mary Ann PINKHAM, William ‘Bill’ Frederick was born in Bethnal Green.¹³⁸ “10 Sep 1895 William Frederick Brockett, b Bethnal Green, residing 9 River St, Bow, aged 19 yrs 11 months [i.e. b Oct 1875], Dock Labourer in Mill Wall Docks, Single, attested in the 3rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment for 6 years, service #9005.” In answer to the question ‘Have you ever been rejected as unfit for Her Majesty’s Service? If so, on what grounds?’ he responded “Yes. U.H & W for Army”.¹³⁹ Then “29 Oct 1895 William Frederick Brockett, b Bethnal Green, aged 20 yrs 1 month [i.e. b Sep 1875], resided in Father’s house for the last 3 years, Dock Labourer, Single, attested in the Highland Light Infantry for 12-20 years, service #6055.” In answer to the questions ‘Do you now belong to Her Majesty’s Army?’ and ‘Have you ever served in Her Majesty’s Army?’ he responded “Yes, 3rd Middlesex Regiment” and “No Except in the Militia in which I am still serving”.¹⁴⁰ and in answer to the question ‘Have you ever been rejected as unfit for Her Majesty’s Service? If so, on what grounds?’ he responded “No”. Same signature in both attestations.

“W Brockett, Private, #6055, Highland Light Infantry” was recorded in the South African War (aka Anglo-Boer War) of 1899-1902, see the separate page. However the 1901 census taken 1 April recorded a “William Brockutt, Border, Single, aged 24 [i.e. b c 1877], General Labourer, born Hackney Road, London, at 37 Eastwood Rd, West Ham, the household of Henery and Alice Breward, aged 31 and 32, and their adopted [niece] Alice Guller, aged 14″. Comment: Henry Breward and Alice BROCKWELL had married in St Jude, Bethnal Green, 24 Mar 1889,¹⁴¹ and were living at 144 Quinns Sq, Bethnal Green in 1891 with niece Alice Gallen, aged 4.¹⁴² No connection between them and William Brockutt other than the 1901 census return is known but nor is any other William Broket known of that age from that part of London. So since the South African War was fought 11 Oct 1899 – 31 May 1902 he must have joined it after 1 Apr 1901.

He married Mary Gertrude Cecilia SWAN 1904 in Mile End.¹⁴³ His occupation 1906, Dock Labourer, residing 17 Lockeley St, Limehouse, Stepney.¹⁴⁴ He became a Pearl Insurance Agent, working in London.¹⁴⁵ He and his son went to court in the 1920s to claim a lost inheritance. This perhaps links in with the inquest on Daniel’s death in 1863,¹⁴⁶ and the story about the Wackett family wrongfully inheriting the estate. QMB’s chart says that he married 1904, and in another note that he worked for a while at Bow Pottery Works and died aged 76 (ie c 1951). But the GRO death of a William in 1939 Q1, Poplar, aged 63, ie b c 1876 is more likely, being the only relevant record. This is supported by the comment in the letter from Alice to Arthur in Oct 1938 that the news about Bill was not good.

William Frederick

Image snipped from a photo of Bill and his brother Fred by the pyramid in Giza, Egypt, kindly sent by a descendant 1995.

Census records for William and Mary and family:    Read more

1. Mary Violet, b 30 Sep 1906, Limehouse, Stepney;¹⁴⁷ d 11 Dec 1910, 88 Empson St, Bromley, Poplar of exhaustion from Zymotic Enteritis.¹⁴⁸
2. William Frederick, b 14 Apr 1908, at 18 Durham Rd, Canning Town, Plaistow, West Ham.¹⁴⁹ He married Elizabeth ‘Betty’ BIRD 1940 in Poplar Parish Church.¹⁵⁰ His occupation 1970: Wallpaper Assistant.¹⁵¹ William died 23 Mar 1973 at 101 Bilton Rd, Perivale, Greenford [Ealing], Middx, Will pr London 23 May, estate valued at £264.¹⁵² Elizabeth Ada died 3 Oct 1989 at 101 Bilton Rd, Perivale, Greenford, Middx, Will pr Ipswich 15 Jan 1990, estate not exceeding £100,000.¹⁵³. 3 sons, 1 daughter.
3. Doris G, b 1912, Poplar.¹⁵⁴ Married … NIGHTINGALE 1936 Q2 Poplar.¹⁵⁵ Died from cancer.

2.3. Frederick James b 1877

2nd son of William Daniel and Mary Ann PINKHAM, Frederick James was born 1877 in Bethnal Green.¹⁵⁶ Like his elder brother William, Frederick James also attested for the Highland Light Infantry—in 13 Nov 1894—aged 18 yrs 1 month and he has not been found in the 1901 census. However, he wasn’t recorded in the South African War. Their cousin Frederick was, see above.

Frederick James

Image snipped from a photo of Fred and his brother Bill by the pyramid in Giza, Egypt, kindly sent by a descendant 1995.

He married Beatrice Annie PYNER 1904 W Ham.¹⁵⁷ “Frederick James Brockett of 48 Hulse Ave, Barking, Essex, died 29 May 1956, aged 77, Probate London to Beatrice Annie Brockett Widow and [son] Eric Richard James Brockett, Technical Clerk, Effects £5,011 19s 1d”.¹⁵⁸ She died at King George Hospital, Ilford 9 Nov 1963, aged 89, residing 411 Whalebone Lane, North Chadwell Heath, Dagenham, Essex, Administration Ipswich 7 Jan to Eric Richard James Brockett, Supervisor, £5,557.¹⁵⁹

Census records for Frederick and Beatrice and family:    Read more

1. Freda Bathallah Rebecca, b 2 Jan 1908, Orsett, Essex;¹⁶⁰ d 1908, Orsett, Essex¹⁶¹.
2. Eric Richard James, b 6 Jun 1909, Hornchurch, Romford;¹⁶² d 14 Jan 1986, Ashford, Kent. He married Margaret HOWARD 8 Apr 1942 in Fulwood, Lancs.¹⁶³ She died 12 Mar 2000 in Staplehurst, Kent. 2 daughters.

2.4. Richard Joseph b 1881

3rd son of William Daniel and Mary Ann PINKHAM, Richard ‘Dick’ Joseph was born 27 Oct 1881 in Bromley,¹⁶⁴ and died ? 4 Jul 1934 in Whitechapel, occupation Dock Labourer, residing 20 Park St, Poplar.¹⁶⁵ There was a Richard aged 10 in London for the 1891 census. There is no suitable entry in the 1901 census, when he would have been c 20, nor in the 1911 census. Nor is there a marriage in GRO under Richard. The name of the mother on the BC of their child in 1918 was Betsy BUTLER, perhaps they had married in Canada. They resided then at 20 Park St, his occupation Corn Porter in a Private Labour Corps. Betsy d 1921 in Poplar, aged 38, ie b c 1883, Richard Joseph still alive, occupation Laborer at Corn Market, residing 20 Park St.¹⁶⁶ A Richard J is recorded dying in Stepney 1934 Q3 aged 52, ie b c 1882. A son, residing 20 Park St, notified the death. The son’s initials were TW, and would presumably have been born 1902-13, but no obvious entry can be seen in GRO. It has been assumed that he was Thomas William. Richard’s occupation: Stevedore (a loader and unloader of ships’ cargo) 1936¹⁶⁷ and 1946.¹⁶⁸ In 1937 he was described as deceased, Dock Labourer.¹⁶⁹ Children:

1. Thomas William, b c 1909, ?Canada [not in GRO, nor in the 1911 census]. He died 18 Nov 1955, of 3?2 Woodstock Terrace, Poplar, Demolition Lorry Driver, aged 46.¹⁷⁰ The informant was brother F S Brockett of 9 Lockside, Limehouse, Stepney.
2. Violet Alexandra, b c 1911, ?Canada [not in GRO under V or A, nor in the 1911 census]. Married 3 Apr 1937 James Albert LOVE in the Register Office, Poplar, London, she aged 26, Spinster, no profession, of 20 Park St, Poplar, he 26, Bachelor, of 140 Park St, Poplar, Warehouse Porter.¹⁷¹
3. Frederick Samuel, b 28 May c 1912, ?Canada [no GRO record]. Married 20 Feb 1943 Winifred Florence APPLEBY in St Paul’s Parish Church, E Ham, London, he aged 30, Bachelor, Army, she 30, Spinster, Typist, both of 9 Bridge Rd, E6.¹⁷² Frederick Samuel died 9 Dec 1969 at 32 Woodstock Terr, Stepney, London E14, aged 57, ie b c 1912, Administration London 26 Oct 1972 £803.¹⁷³ Winifred Florence died 15 Dec 1996 at 27 Maple Close, Street, Somerset, Will pr Bristol 14 Jul 1998, estate £21,309.¹⁷⁴ 1 son.
4. Richard Edward, b c 1916, ?Canada [no GRO record]. Married 16 Jul 1938 Violet Florence CHANDLER in the Regsiter Office, Poplar, London, he 22, Bachelor, of 506 Grosvenor Buildings, Poplar, Builders Lorrydriver, she aged 17, Spinster, Dressmaker, of 128 Grundy St, Poplar, witness his brother Thomas William.¹⁷⁵ Either 2 or 8 children.

2.5. Arthur John b 1884

4th son of William Daniel and Mary Ann PINKHAM, Arthur John was born 24 Mar 1884 at 111 Marner St, Bromley, Poplar,¹⁷⁶ and died 20 Feb 1967 at 76 Townholm Crescent [photo], Hanwell, Brentford, Middx, occupation Maintenance Engineer, aged 82.¹⁷⁷ Called ‘Tom’ at work because there was another Arthur there. He married Rose Cave COLE 15 Oct 1905 in Hanwell Parish Church.¹⁷⁸ They lived with her mother in 80 Studley Grange Rd, Hanwell, for a while in very crowded conditions. Rose worked at Troy Laundry, W Ealing from 1920, but on 29 Oct 1923 was admitted to Springfield Mental Hospital, Tooting, where she stayed till her death on 24 Feb 1972, aged 87.¹⁷⁹ photos.

Census records for Arthur and Rose and family:    Read more

1. Miriam Rose, b 6 Oct 1906, Hanwell;¹⁸⁰ emigrated to Canada 1930, but returned. Married 26 Feb 1938, Albert Edward POULTON, Gardener, Register Office, Brentford, witnesses Percy Henry and Queenie May.¹⁸¹ The GRO birth record has Miriam Kate, marriage as Miriam R. Miriam’s daughters were adopted by grandfather Arthur after Miriam died and took on the name Brockett. They inherited a lot of Brockett information from aunt Queenie, including photos and letters and kindly shared it in 2006. Died 5 Apr 1952 43 South Rd, Ealing, Bronchopneumonia.¹⁸² Children:
   1. …
   2. Elsie Pamela Poulton-Brockett, b c 1943, married …, d 16 Oct 2006.
2. Percy Henry, b 31 Jul 1908, Hanwell; d 21 Feb 1986. Postman GPO 1961,¹⁸³ Postman retired 1975.¹⁸⁴ He married Gladys Maud COLE 19 Aug 1938 in Brentford. She was born 23 Jul 1909, and died 18 Dec 1961, of cerebral haemorrhage and hypertension primary, at King Edward Hospital, Ealing, Middx, aged 52, residing 22 North Road, Ealing.¹⁸⁵ One son.
3. Albert Edward, b 23 Sep 1913, Hanwell, Brentford ;¹⁸⁶ died from congenital malformation, Spina Bifida 4 Oct 1913, Brentford.
4. Queenie May, b 10 Feb 1916, Hanwell;¹⁸⁷ bap 12 Mar 1916 Hanwell Wesleyan Methodist Church. Occupation Sempstress. She worked as a Hat Maker in a Milliners in London. QMB researched into the family history from the 1930s to the 1990s. In 1967 she lived with her father at 76 Townholm Crescent, Hanwell. Died unm 12 May 2002, Milton Keynes, of pulmonary embolus and thrombosis of calf veins.¹⁸⁸

2.6. Edward Thomas b 1887

5th son of William Daniel and Mary Ann PINKHAM, Edward ‘Ted’ Thomas was born 24 May 1887 in 30 Gurley St, Bromley, Poplar,¹⁸⁹ and died 22 Oct 1938 in Poplar.¹⁹⁰ Not found in the 1911 census. He married Jennie MARTIN 26 May 1912 in Poplar Parish Church.¹⁹¹ Son Anthony’s widow, who lived in Leytonestone, said the family lived in the docks in Poplar and that they had no grandchildren, but this may not be reliable as she thought the mother’s name was Elizabeth. His occupation Painter in 1912, residing 4 Cotton St, as also Jennie.¹⁹² QMB noted that he ‘invented the Top of Safety Match sold it to Bryant and Mayes, from money received he Brought his House and a Insurance round.’ Occupation Wharf Crane Driver in 1956.¹⁹³ Funeral 31 Oct in Woodgrange Cemetery.¹⁹⁴ Photo of Ted in the Archive. Jennie died 1972 Poplar, aged 85, ie b c 1887.¹⁹⁵ Children:

1. Edward William, b 13 Mar 1912 or 13 Poplar.¹⁹⁶ Married 27 Oct 1956 Rose Ellen LARGE, née HAMPSHIRE at the Register Office, Southwark, London, he aged 43, Bachelor, Wharf Crane Driver, she 46, previous marriage dissolved, Canteen Assistant Commission Agents, both of 26 Stead St, Walworth, SE17, [brother] A G Brockett a witness.¹⁹⁷ He died 12 Sep 1969 Hastings Sussex, aged 57,¹⁹⁸ residing The Clarence Hotel, Middle St, Hastings, Administration Brighton 3 Dec £3,612.¹⁹⁹
2. …
3. Frederick M, b 1922 Poplar,²⁰⁰ died 1928 Lambeth²⁰¹
4. …
5. Anthony Gordon, b 1934 Poplar,²⁰² m 1971 Jean Violet FENTON Newham.²⁰³ He was a London Fireman and died of a heart attack 24 Jan 1992 at 69 Granleigh Rd, Leytonestone, London, Will pr Manchester 27 Apr £167,555.²⁰⁴ Jean Violet died 8 Jul 2005 at 69 Granleigh Rd, Leytonestone, Will pr Ipswich 22 Dec £517,625, to Barbara WILLMOTT and Stephen James REDPATH. No issue.

Page Last Updated: June 28, 2022