Ancestors of Chatham, Kent, England

[Nevis]

Harry Charles Taylor was born on the 29th November 1876 in Sandgate Kent.
He was the first born son of Henry Taylor and Mary Maria Warrey Huntley. Henry was from Knowle in Warwickshire and Mary from Trowbridge.

In 1881 age 30, Henry is an Assistant Convict Warder living at 6E St. Marys Vale, Gillingham Kent, along with Mary, and children,
Harry Charles Taylor, Emma J Taylor and John William Taylor, who was my great granddad who was born in the prison.

In 1891 the family are living at 12 Westcourt St, Old Brompton and Henry is now Manager of the Dockyard Canteen.

In 1901 the family are living at no. 18 College Terrace, Priestfield Rd, Gillingham and Henry is now a Joiner of wood, own account.

Back to Harry Charles Taylor.
In 1899 in the Medway, he married Harriett Constance Marsh.

In 1901 Harry and Harriett are living at 7 Jubilee Terrace, Livingstone Rd, Gillingham. Charles is ‘Manager of Dock Yard Dinery Rooms’ (census man has written in ‘Coffee House’ alongside.)

In 1911 Harry and his family are living at 7 New Street, Marylebone London. 10 rooms. He has signed and stamped the census with his own circular stamp, which reads ‘H.C. Taylor, British Store, Wine and Spirit Merchant, New Street, St. Johns Wood.’

His probate index reads:
Harry Charles Taylor of the Angel Hotel, High Street Chatham, died 5th April 1933 at Neville House Nursing Home, Chatham, probate London 13th July to Henry Maguire retired Vintner and Vera Ellen Briggs, Widow (his daughter).
Effects £9276. 6s. 9d

The Taylors held the licenses for the following pubs.
Harry Charles Taylor ….
The Cricketers.
The Angel (208/210 High Street Chatham) from 1913-1922
The Globe Hotel (131 High Street Chatham) from 1922- 1923 http://www.chathambooksociety.org.uk/ab ... leinn.html
The Angel (again) 1923-1933.
http://www.medwaymemories.co.uk/?page_id=144

John William Taylor ….
The Worlds End (now the Trafalgar Maid in Warner Street Chatham) 1912-1921.
John William was also a Prison Warder, and a Master Hairdresser. A family story that was told to us is that John William enjoyed 5 minutes of fame when the Circus came to town. He bravely entered the lions cage and shaved the lion tamer while all the lions prowled about. (The number of lions grew as the years past. If you ever come across any report in the paper about this, I would love to see it). He also lost a leg. Some say it was from the Boer War, and some say a beer barrel rolled onto it. They also say he ‘died of War wounds’.

His probate reads…
John William Taylor of 10 White Road Chatham, died 30th September 1922 Admin London 14 Nov to Alice Taylor, Widow.
Effects £682.2s.6d

Now for more Dockyard workers.
John William had a son, Leslie John Henry Taylor. He married Mabel Jessie Marion Hudson. My mum, Pauline (nee Taylor) says her mum Mabel (nee Hudson) was a Pastry Cook in the Dockyard (born in Strood).
Her Father, Edward John Hudson also worked in the Dockyard. As a skilled Machine Turner.

Carol 'Nevis' Vincent

The Worlds End

Harry Charles Taylor

John William Taylor

More to come