Charles Whittlsey, son of Darling Whittlesey and Ann Sneesby was born in Willingham Cambridgeshire and baptised there in January 1809. On 30 Nov 1829, Charles married Phoebe Garner. They were both about 20 years old. They had six children: John, Charles, Ann, Eliza, Hannah and Walter. The 1841 Census shows Charles living in Church Street, Willingham, his occupation a Tailor. With him are wife Phoebe and children: Charles b1832, Ann b1834, Eliza b1836 and Hannah b1840. Son Walter was born in 1842, the year before Phoebe died. On 1st January 1846, Charles remarried to Elizabeth Walker daughter of William Walker, a Wheelwright and Mary Markham. Elizabeth was about 24 years old and Charles about 12 years older at the time of their marriage. In 1851 Charles is still a Tailor in Church Street, Willingham with wife Elizabeth and his children from his marriage to Phoebe: Charles b1832, Eliza b1836, Hannah b1840, Walter b1842. Also, two further children from his marriage to Elizabeth: Editha b1848 and Reuben b1851. 1861 and Charles is now a Farmer and Tailor. Still in Church Street with wife Elizabeth, son Walter and Reuben and two more children Charles E[deric] b1857 and Priscilla b1859. Son Harry was born about 1861. Note: Charles Whittlesey's children have been difficult to track. At one time it was thought that he had eight children by each of his two wives. However, this may not to be the case. It does appear that he had two sons named Charles both who died young: The 1871 shows Charles living at 27 Chapel Street [Curtain Road] Shoreditch. His occupation a Corn Dealer & Brewer. With him are his wife Elizabeth, and children: Reuben, Priscilla and Harry and married daughter Ann* who is aged 37. In 1881 the address is 61 Scrutton Street but thiw would most likely be the same premises as Chapel Street was renamed Scrutton Street and renumbered. Charles, wife Elizabeth, Reuben, Priscilla and Harry. There was a death notice in the Cambridge Independent Press 29th July 1882 as follows: WHITTLESEY – July 21 in London. Charles Whittlesey, late of Willingham aged 73. Buried Willingham.
In ever loving memory of Charles Whittlesey who passed away July 20th 1882 Aged 73 years also Elizabeth wife of the above who passed away Dec 9th 1907 Aged 86 years Also Harry the dearly loved youngest son of the above who passed away July 30th 1920 after thirty years of suffering Aged 58 years Interred at Abney Park Cemetery.
Corn Dealers and Chandlers
A chandler was a dealer.
“Corn” was the generic name for wheat, barley and oats and not maize as we know it and would be required even in central London.
People kept hens for eggs in their back yards and there are numerous advertisments in old newspapers for chicken feed.
Also, barley would be used for beer and oats as feed for horses.
