Born in the tower of London

[natureslight]

Hi everyone, I am new to all of this so please be patient with me  Upon searching through my family history a story has come to light, how true it is, I don't know, but I would be grateful if someone could fill in the gaps. A story has been passed down through the generations that one of my relatives (within the last 2 centuries) was born in the Tower of London, apparently the father was a Beefeater and the pregnant wife was visiting him and went into labour. The child was given the freedom of the city. Apparently it was on my paternal great gandparents side, the furthest I have traced back thus far is my great grandparents on that side, they are Charles Edward Stokes born born 1896 in Edmonton married Winifred Alma Wescott December 1912 in Thanet she was born in March 1885 in Whitechapel. Any help would be gratefully received as this side of the family I'm really stuck on.
Thank you
Mark Stokes

[wozzle]

the only ccharles edward stokes born in edmonton that i can see was born in 1886 not 1896
is this yours.
if as you originally say he was born in 1896 that would make him 16 when he married?

[natureslight]

Thank you for that, it may be 86, I have only just started researching this branch, so you may be correct.

[Necromancer]

Charles Edward Stokes born born 18?6 in Edmonton married Winifred Alma Wescott December 1912 in Thanet she was born in March 1885 in Whitechapel.

have you got the marriage Cert to show Fathers name and occupation for Charles?

[wozzle]

sorry ignore that one he died in 1886 in edmonton
you will definately need the marr cert
that will tell you his age and also his fathers name and occupation
we should then be able to trace back through the censusers

[natureslight]

Sorry no birth cert at moment, only started on this branch today. I'm v.new to genealogy only started last friday, so it may take some time to fit all the people together. Have managed to trace (with help) one side of my family back to 1612. But I want to start on my surname now plus its a little mystery as to the Tower of London connection, if there is any in reality!!!

[Valda]

Hi

Welcome to Rootschat.

The Tower of London I believe is just outside the square mile of the City of London.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London

The parish church of the Tower of London is St Peter ad Vincula

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Peter_ad_Vincula_(London)

I don't think a birth in the Tower would be a reason for being given the Freedom of the City of London. I think to be a Freeman you have to be an adult (21 years). This webpage gives information on who was awarded Freedom of the City and for what reasons.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/nr/rdonlyres/155d63ec-c7bf-4b8f-b7d2-9574c07fe071/0/cityfreedom.pdf


Winifred's birth registration

Births Mar 1885   WESTCOTT  Winifred Alma    Whitechapel  1c 363

but her marriage seems to be to a Charles A Stokes. Is this a misprint in the GRO index and it should be E not A?

Marriages Dec 1912   
Stokes  Charles A   Westcott  Thanet  2a 2344   
Westcott  Winifred A  Stokes  Thanet  2a 2344

You need to order the marriage certificate for further information on Charles.


Regards

Valda

[Valda]

Hi

1891 census RG12 1082 folio 64
15 Maldon Road Edmonton
John E Westcott 42 Head Married Colour sergeant instructor to Infantry Volunteers Drewsteignton Devon
Elizabeth A Westcott 34 Wife Married Barkham, Rutland
Sidney E Westcott 10 Son Hampstead Middlesex
Winifred A Westcott 6 Daughter Tower London
Ralph T Westcott 5 Son Chelsea Middlesex
Horace V Westcott 5 Son Chelsea Middlesex
Percy R Westcott 3 Son Edmonton Middlesex
Stanley L Westcott 11/12 Son Edmonton Middlesex


Regards

Valda

[natureslight]

Thank you all for your warm welcome to your site.
My Gt grandfather was Charles E Stokes (Edward) a middle name which was passed to my grandfather Arthur Edward Stokes. And thanks you so much Valda for the icing  .

Regards Mark