Henry John Stocking: Tripe Dresser of Bermondsey

My 3xgreat grandparents James Stocking and his wife Mary Ann Collins had over 127 descendents in two generations (their children and grandchildren). Their ninth child - my 2xgreat grand uncle Henry John Stocking (1866-1938) - and his wife Alice Matilda Vidler had ten children, although four died in infancy. He otherwise had a fairly uneventful … Continue reading Henry John Stocking: Tripe Dresser of Bermondsey

William Thomas Stocking: Life near the Thames

For several generations my Stocking ancestors lived and worked just South of the Thames, finding work in the building and decorating trades, London's Leather Market, Bermondsey's food and packaging works and in and around the docks and the areas South of Tower Bridge. Following the various jobs of my 2xgreat grand uncle William Thomas Stocking … Continue reading William Thomas Stocking: Life near the Thames

The brides of Aylesbury Street: A mystery

While exploring the lives of my 2xgreat grand uncles Frederick James Stocking and George Thomas Stocking, I came across an interesting connection between their two brides, who they married at All Saints Walworth in the early 1880s. Both gave their home addresses as 6 Aylesbury Street, Walworth. When I looked closer at the parish registers, … Continue reading The brides of Aylesbury Street: A mystery

The children of Robert Matthew Stocking in WW1

My Stocking great grandparents had over 127 direct descendents, so it is no surprise that many of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were affected by the two world wars. The children of their fifth child, Robert Matthew Stocking (1859-1945) and his wife Martha Silverlock were no exception. The parents' story is told in this … Continue reading The children of Robert Matthew Stocking in WW1

Robert Matthew Stocking: Life in the Land of Leather

There were many Leather Workers in my family in mid-late Victorian London, and my 2xgreat grand uncle Robert Matthew Stocking was one such. He lived in Bermondsey, 'the Land of Leather'. He and his wife Martha raised seven children, all of whom lived to maturity, unlike very many of his nieces and nephews. Why was … Continue reading Robert Matthew Stocking: Life in the Land of Leather