HI David,
That image was fine, thanks - very clear. Strange how the ones on ancestry are so bad in comparison; and the ones on findmypast are totally impossible to read (which surprised me as they usually get compliments on rootschat for clear images).
The lady from the Leggate line is Louisa Legate, daughter of James and Mary Ann (Henlow). She went into service at Edmonton, but got into the family way, came back to Henlow and then married Frederick Dear. It might have been Frederick Dear who had the grocery store, but I can't remember without looking through the details - I have a photo somewhere of the shop.
Connie, my dear mum-in-law, wondered if her mystery grandfather might have been the lord of the manor - Louisa was a cook. She asked me to look into it, but Louisa as far as I could see was one of many who went to Middlesex to work in domestic service in a middle class household. We even sent away for the head of the household's will to see if there was any mention of a child - Connie thought the head of the household must have had his "evil way" with her. I'm not so sure - the gentleman had a fifteen year old son, and of course perhaps Frederick might have been the child's father, who could not marry her at that time. We shall never know.
She grew up as part of the Dear household; a very close and loving household.
Amazing how close and inter-related all the families are, David.
The sad thing is that Connie's mum, who was a nurse, never got over being born illegitimate - it was something she hid all the days of her life, and felt ashamed of. I never her met her; but she was, I believe, a very gentle and loving lady.
Bye for now.
Paulene