William Robert Henning, my gt grandfather, and his father Charles are puzzling me.
Charles, a ships carpenter of Robinson Row married Ann Wilson of Air Street (widow, maiden name Levett) in 1859 in Hull. On 1861 census, both living at 14 Fish Street with Ann’s parents and son William Robert, born 1860 in Princes St. I know no more about Charles, he does not appear on any other census, (I am unable to find wife Ann on the 1871 either, though William Robert aged 10 is living with his grandfathers family at Humber Dock St). I am following up a Charles Henning who appears on the 1870 census in New York, about the right age, with a wife and 2 young daughters. If this is he then he did a runner around 1863/4 but so far have not found him on a passenger list.
William Robert’s mother Ann passed away 19th May 1880 at 3 Handleys Place, where William Robert is living on the 1881 census. I have a copy of the letter of administration that states she was a widow, as does her death cert. Administration was granted to her sister Hannah as William Robert was under age, and passed to him 9th July 1881 after he came of age. The estate amounted to £496.
William Robert Timeline:
April 1881 he is living at 3 Handleys Place (census)
9th July 1881 he is granted his mothers will.
20th July 1881 he is authorised to sell beer.
13th August 1881 he marries Harriet Hampshire by Licence in Darlington
28th August 1882 the beerhouse licence of 64 Prospect St is transferred from William Robert to Nellie Handley.
August 1884 his first son is born in Broad St. Stratford, Essex.
The family move back to Hull by 1888 and have 9 other children. Over the next 20 years while they are spawning children I have them living at 8 different addresses in Hull, before settling in Providence Row by 1911 where he dies in 1924.
Lots of questions, why did they move house so often? Was 64 Prospect St a pub or just a beerhouse. Did Charles Henning die before 1880 or bugger off somwhere?
