The father of a school friend of mine quit work to run a sweet shop (that is, a candy store, for my American readers). Whenever I visited, his mother would give me a bag of Turkish delight to take home with me, although I don't think its contents ever survived the journey home! I thought there was something really exciting about living behind a sweet shop. And this came to mind when I learned that Llewellyn Tilley was a Confectioner in Gloucestershire in the middle of the 19th century, and that he and his wife, Elizabeth might be the grandparents of Vivian Kennett Tilley. How great to have a confectioner in the family!
This is the third post in a series researching the family of Vivian Kennett Tilley, my step-grandfather. His parents, John and Amelia are recorded in the 1901 and 1911 England Censuses, and I am attempting to trace the identity of John's background, especially his parents, and also to understand why their marriage certificate is dated 1914, when they had been together since 1896.
The previous post explains why I have all but eliminated John, Carman of Marylebone, and Ellen Tilley from consideration as the grandparents of Vivian Kennett. This post explains why I lean toward Llewellyn, Confectioner of Wotton-under-Edge, and Elizabeth Tilley. The aforementioned marriage certificate is on its way; a future post will reveal the identity of John's father as recorded on the certificate.
From the 1901 and 1911 censuses, the calculated year of birth for John Tilley is about 1861/2; place of birth is given as Islington, London. A search suggested this family from Market Street, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire in the 1871 England Census:
Llewellyn Tilley Head Marr 45 Confectioner Gloucs., Kingswood
Elizabeth Wife Marr 42 Monmouthshire, Abergavenny
Charles H Son Unmarr 15 Scholar Bristol, St Nicholas
John Son 9 Scholar London, Southwark, St George's
Lewis Son 7 Scholar London, Islington, St Mary's
Kate Dau 3 Gloucs, Wotton-under-Edge
Blanche M Dau 1 Gloucs, Wotton-under-Edge
And here they are in 1881:
The 1881 census shows the same family in addition to servants and apprentices. John is now a Draper's Assistant. John and Lewis are both shown as born in "London", whereas 1871 shows Southwark. The Islington connection for John becomes apparent from a baptismal record 21 February 1864 at Islington St Mary's for the following children:
Mary Jane, born 11 July 1851
Laura 20 September 1853
Charles Henry 30 April 1855
John 13 April 1861
Llewellyn Frank 20 September 1863
All children of Llewellyn and Elizabeth Tilley of Rheidol Terrace. Llewellyn's occupation is letter carrier.
I would speculate there was another sibling between Charles Henry and John, who died, possibly leading the parents to baptize their remaining children. Mary Jane and Laura may have left home by 1871, being 19 and 17 years old respectively. Charles Henry of the baptism is Charles H of the census; John is John; and Lewellyn Frank has been anglicized to Lewis.
Llewellyn's name is uncommon enough that his record is easy to find in the BMD Death Index:
Mar1891 Dursley 6a 175 Age: 67
The National Probate Calendar for England and Wales shows that Charles Henry was his only executor, and fixes the date of death at 9 January 1891.
The BMD Death Index entry for Elizabeth Tilley is:
Mar1890 Dursley 6a 204 Age: 61
The National Probate Calendar for England and Wales places the date of death as 17 March 1890 and notes that Charles Henry Tilley was granted administration of her personal estate.
On a happier note, their marriage record in the BMD Marriage Index is:
Dec1850 Abergavenny 26 29 to Elizabeth Vivian
We find them living in Bedwelty, Monmouthshire for the 1851 Wales Census, but no record yet from the 1861 Census (England or Wales). This was only a week or two before John's birth, so maybe they were preoccupied.
There are three connections between this John, son of Lewellyn and Elizabeth Tilley, and John, father of Vivian Kennett Tilley. First, they are born at the same time (about 1861/2); second they are born in the same place (London, and the Islington connection). Third, the maiden name of Llewellyn Tilley's wife is significant, since this is Vivian Kennett Tilley's first given name. (His other given name turns out to be the maiden name of his maternal grandmother, but that's a story for another day).
For uncovering these connections I would surely deserve a bag of Turkish delight! Except that those researching Llewellyn's line claim that John married Maria Jane Jotcham as shown by the BMD Marriage Index (another certficate worth buying, but I'll wait for now) :
Jun1887 Dursley 6a 428
Worse than that, the 1901 England Census shows that they were still married, which leaves me, more than ever, feeling less like the calculating Holmes, and more like the tenacious Inspector Lestrade.
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