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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Essex => Topic started by: Julie Wedlock on Sunday 27 May 18 16:12 BST (UK)
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I was wondering if there is anyway I can find out more about my husbands ancestor who was a bootmaker for the family in Audley End/Saffron Walden. I am not sure where I got that information but he was born in Bishop's Stortford but lived in & worked in Audley End and this was mentioned in censuses
So any info about this like how true, how much was he paid as I don't think he lived in the house so must have had enough to live in town with his own family
So his name is Frederick Wedlock 1858-1939, lived in Hadham Road in Saffron Walden with wife Sarah and 6 children
His son George (1882-1945) was also a shoemaker. Fredericks brother William (1852-1920)was a policeman
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Hi Julie,
Just a bit of extra info -
Chelmsford Chronicle 12 October 1928
Funeral took place of Mrs Sarah Wedlock, age 76, wife of Frederick Wedlock, Hadham Road. Deceased died suddenly, was married 50 years ago at St Mary's Church, Stanstead.
JJ
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According to the 1911 census he was a self employed Bootmaker and Repairer working at home (he calls himself an employer) and his address was 55 Hadham, Road, which was about here on this map https://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html#/Map/548296/221474/12/100650 The Bricklayer's Arms was No. 41.
The house they were living in had 4 rooms.
I don't know what you mean by "a bootmaker for the family "
Stan
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1901 Census he worked at Home also and was self employed.
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Frederick Wedlock's death was registered March Quarter 1939 in Bishop Stortford.
Stan
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The Rootschat thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=761707.0 suggests that finding an apprentice record is unlikely.
http://www.victorianlondon.org/publications3/newtoilers-23.htm cites an 1889 source which claims that: The annual output of boots and shoes from the factories of the United Kingdom is said to be no less than one hundred millions of pairs and The editor of The Shoe and Leather Record says: "The factory system and the introduction of machinery is revolutionising all the old handicrafts, and boots and shoes are nowadays produced chiefly by manufacturers, who supply the retail shops." ....... He proceeds to tell us a secret. "Even the bootmaker," he says, "who takes your measure for a pair of boots, presumably to make himself. hands over the order to the manufacturer, who supplies him with his ordinary stock."
This being the case, unless Frederick was employed by a factory (if there was one locally) as an outworker, the majority of his work was probably mending rather than manufacture. If he was well-regarded, the local parson and gentry might have ordered hand-made footwear but wealthier people would have probably bought in London or Colchester.
http://www.victorianlondon.org/finance/money.htm under "family budgets for the poor" quotes the income for one entire family in 1895 as £2.3s9d with the cost of boots for a child as 2s11d. In a bad week, the family wage was 15s8d and three pairs of children's boots cost 10s9d.
I have not found any information online for the cost of mending footwear, but if Frederick's customers were mainly working-class, spending around 2s6d to 8s on a pair of boots, I would suggest that the cost of repairs would have been between 10% and 25% of buying a new pair. If this is accurate, then (depending on demand) Frederick would have probably made an adequate living - not poor but not well-off.
It would be interesting to know if Frederick left a will and, if so, what was the value of his estate. This would be the best indicator of his success.
Philip
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Thanks to everyone with the information especially Philip. I suppose that would be right as to the family in Audley End buying their shoes and boots from London and Frederick just being a repairer. Its just its noted in one of the censuses (I thought) that he was living in the House but maybe I read it wrong. I now need to find wills and see if it can still be found so I can have a look
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he was born in Bishop's Stortford but lived in & worked in Audley End and this was mentioned in censuses
Looks like it was the other way round?
Possibly his baptism in Saffron Walden, 10 October 1858
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I think there could be something to the reference 'bootmaker for the family in Audley End/Saffron Walden'. Or I could be reading way too much into a couple of references.
The Audley End Estate was owned by the Braybrooke family and walking up the Wedlock tree there are a couple of references which suggest Frederick's father and grandfather, Henry and John, may have worked for Lord Braybrooke. So could 'the family' be a reference to the Braybrookes and could Frederick have worked for them, in one capacity or another, his family already being known to the Braybrookes?
Obviously a lot of speculation without any proof. Essex Archives appear to have a number of records in their collection related to Audley End, may be they might hold some evidence.
Walking up the Wedlock tree, including the references others have already posted...
Frederick Wedlock and Sarah Wilson
GRO BMD references:
1853 Q3 Birth - Sarah Wilson (mmn: Cornell); Saffron Walden; 04a; 295
1858 Q3 Birth - Frederick Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 313
1878 Q4 Marriage - Frederick Wedlock & Sarah Smith; Bishop Stortford; 03a; 415
1928 Q4 Death - Sarah Wedlock; age 75 (born c1853); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 760
1939 Q1 Death - Frederick Wedlock; age 80 (born c1859); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 1289
1879 Q4 Birth - Charles Henry Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 347
1882 Q1 Birth - George Alfred Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 392
1884 Q1 Birth - Clara Ada Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 421
1886 Q2 Birth - Emily Louisa Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 457
1888 Q2 Birth - William Wilson Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 463
1893 Q3 Birth - Annie Eleanor Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 509
1896 Q3 Birth - Sarah Wedlock (mmn: Wilson); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 533
Baptism:
name: Frederick Wedlock
baptised: 10 Oct 1858; St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden
father: Henry, labourer
mother: Rebecca
abode: Saffron Walden
Marriage:
married: 17 Oct 1878; St Mary the Virgin, Stanstead Montfitchet; banns
groom: Frederick Wedlock; fa; bach; bootmaker; Stanstead
bride: Sarah Wilson; fa; spin; -; Croydon?
grooms father: Henry Wedlock, labourer
brides father: Simon Wilson (dec)
witnesses: Martin Wedlock, Rose Wisbey
Newspapers:
Chelmsford Chronicle
05 Apr 1907
Marriages
Marriage of Miss Wedlock
The wedding took place at St Michael's Church, on Saturday, of Miss Clara Ada Wedlock (eldest daughter of Mr F Wedlock, of Bishop Stortford, and niece of Police Inspector Wedlock, of Harlow) with Mr George Maskell, of Gilston. There were many presents.
Essex Newsman
27 Jun 1908
Marriages
Mr G A Wedlock and Miss M E Harris
The wedding of Mr George Alfred Wedlock, second son of Mr F Wedlock, of Bishop Stortford, and nephew of Police Inspector Wedlock, of Harlow, to Miss Mary E Harris, daughter of Mr Francis Harris, of Thorley, was solemised at Thorley Church by Canon Procter, assisted by the Rev J E I Procter.
Chelmsford Chronicle
14 Dec 1917
Personal War Notes
Mr F Wedlock, of Hadham Road, Bishop Stortford, has been officially informed that his youngest son, Pte Walter Wedlock, Herts Regt, has been invalided to an Essex hospital, suffering from illness contracted in the trenches.
Censuses:
1861 Audley End
Frederick with parents Henry and Rebecca.
Ref RG09; Piece 1122; Folio 71; Page 35;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7CD-53F
1861 Widdington
Sarah with father Simon and stepmother(?) Emma.
Ref RG09; Piece 1120; Folio 139; Page 19;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7CC-PHN
1871 Stansted
Frederick with parents Henry and Rebecca.
Ref RG10; Piece 1354; Folio 124; Page 4;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF66-MMK
1871 Widdington
Probably Sarah, servant in Smith household.
Ref RG10; Piece 1707; Folio 141; Page 25;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFNS-HCC
1881 Bishop Stortford
Frederick and Sarah
Ref RG11; Piece 1406; Folio 102; Page 4;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27Z-K4VB
1891 Bishop Stortford
Frederick and Sarah
Ref RG12; Piece 1098; Folio 58; Page 29;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W8MN-WPZ
1901 Bishop Stortford
Frederick and Sarah
Ref RG13; Piece 1289; Folio 92; Page 4;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS4Z-JRW
1911 Bishop Stortford
Frederick and Sarah
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X72B-Y5C
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Henry Wedlock and Rebecca Smith, parents of Frederick
GRO BMD references:
1848 Q4 Marriage - Henry Wedlock & Rebecca Smith; Saffron Walden; 12; 507
1893 Q1 Death - Rebecca Wedlock; age 71 (born c1822); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 281
1893 Q1 Death - Henry Wedlock; age 70 (born c1823); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 282
1851 Q2 Birth - John Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 12; 275
1852 Q4 Birth - William Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 318
1854 Q3 Birth - George Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 309
1856 Q3 Birth - Sarah Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 321
1858 Q3 Birth - Frederick Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 313
1860 Q4 Birth - Martin Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Saffron Walden; 04a; 325
1862 Q4 Birth - Walter Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 196
1865 Q2 Birth - Charles Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 221
1866 Q2 Birth - Alfred Wedlock (mmn: Smith); Bishop Stortford; 03a; 224
Baptism:
name: Henry Wedlock
baptised: 29 May 1823; St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden
father: John, labourer
mother: Sarah
abode: Saffron Walden
note: one month old
Marriage:
married: 20 Dec 1848; St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden; banns
groom: Henry Wedlock; fa; bach; labourer; Saffron Walden
bride: Rebecca Smith (x); fa; spin; -; Saffron Walden
grooms father: John Wedlock, labourer
brides father: James Smith, labourer
witnesses: Samuel Smith, Mary Ann Wedlock
Burial:
name: Rebecca Wedlock
buried: 12 Jan 1893; St Mary the Virgin and St John, Stanstead Montfitchet
age: 71 years
abode: Stanstead
Burial:
name: Henry Wedlock
buried: 25 Jan 1893; St Mary the Virgin and St John, Stanstead Montfitchet
age: 70 years
abode: Stanstead
Newspapers:
Essex Herald
05 Oct 1841
Saffron Walden
Agricultural Society
Subscribers To Enrolled Benefit Club
Lads under 20 years - 5s to Henry Wedlock, Saffron Walden (recommended by Lord Braybrooke) subscribed 3 years and 8 months to the Chemlsford Provident.
Chelmsford Chronicle
15 Oct 1841
Saffron Walden
Agricultural Society
Benefit Clubs
To the labourer or servant who shall have subscribed the greatest number of years to an enrolled benefit or benefit society.
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To the labourer or servant under 20 years of age, £1 1s - Henry Wedlock, Saffron Walden, 19: Lord Braybrooke: 3 years and 8 months to the Walden Branch of the Chemlsford Provident Society.
Censuses:
1841 Audley End
Henry with parents John and Sarah.
Ref HO107; Piece 345; Book 6; Folio 6; Page 6;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ2K-Z33
1841 Audley End
Possibly Rebecca Smith
Ref HO107; Piece 345; Book 6; Folio 3; Page 1;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ2K-ZGC
1851 Audley End
Henry and Rebecca
Ref HO107; Piece 1786; Folio 494; Page 29;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVH-NYS
1861 Audley End
Henry and Rebecca
Ref RG09; Piece 1122; Folio 71; Page 35;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7CD-RK1
1871 Stansted
Henry and Rebecca
Ref RG10; Piece 1354; Folio 124; Page 4;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF66-MMN
1881 Stansted
Henry and Rebecca
Ref RG11; Piece 1405; Folio 131; Page 20;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27Z-KSL3
1891 Stansted
Henry and Rebecca
Ref RG12; Piece 1097; Folio 109; Page 8;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WZ18-3MM
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John Wedlock and Sarah Lindsell, grandparents of Frederick
GRO BMD references:
1864 Q1 Death - Sarah Wedlock; age 72; (born c1792); Saffron Walden; 04a; 280
1875 Q1 Death - John Wedlock; age 77; (born c1798); Saffron Walden; 04a; 323
Baptism:
name: John Wedlock
baptism: 20 Aug 1797; St Mary the Virgin, Arkesden
father: Henry
mother: Susanna
Baptism:
name: Sarah Lindsell
baptised: 21 Jan 1795; St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden
father: James
mother: Mary
Marriage:
married: 03 Nov 1818; St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden; banns
groom: John Wedlock (x); bach; otp
bride: Sarah Lindsell (x); spin; otp
witnesses: Thomas Stace?, Rebecca Lindsell
Newspapers:
Essex Herald
05 Oct 1841
Saffron Walden
Agricultural Society
Labourers In Husbandry
Bringing up families with the least parochial relief:
...
Third [prize]
...
(3s) to John Wedlock, Saffron Walden, aged 45, ([recommended] by Lord Braybrooke) had 8 children, 5 living, never received relief.
Essex Standard
11 Oct 1850
Saffron Walden
Agricultural Society
Stock - Swine
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Best fatted pig, the property of a labourer, 15s, John Wedlock
Misc:
SEAX D/B 2/OFF3/231
1864
Inquest on Sarah Wedlock, aged 72
Accidental death by burning
Death of Sarah Wedlock at the house of John Wedlock and adjourned to the house of Susan Cowell in Saffron Waldren on Thursday the seventh of January 1864.
John Wedlock, husband of Sarah, gave evidence.
https://secureweb1.essexcc.gov.uk/SeaxPAM/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=2&id=705867
Censuses:
1841 Audley End
John and Sarah
Ref HO107; Piece 345; Book 6; Folio 6; Page 6;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ2K-Z3M
1851 Audley End
John and Sarah
Ref HO107; Piece 1786; Folio 493; Page 27;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGVH-JDF
1861 Audley End
John and Sarah
Ref RG09; Piece 1122; Folio 72; Page 36;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7CD-53R
1871 Audley End
John
Ref RG10; Piece 1709; Folio 21; Page 33;
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFN9-R8G
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Hi Until recently say about 5 - 15 years, there was always a shop doing shoe repairs called Wedlocks in Bishop's Stortford.
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Just a quick note to say THANK YOU to all the people who has sent information regarding the Audley End Wedlocks. I especially ,like the newspapers articles and did not know about Walter.