COMPLETED - What's going on with this surname?

[fortmap]

The Clifton one is 1796 (this matches the 1841 census that I have, which mentions one of his sons, James).

But the 1871 census for the St Cross man (born Kingsclere/Itchenswell) includes daughter Charlotte b Chilcombe...

Good point - it says Kingsclere in the 1861 too. I think it must be him.
Really, really sleep time now. Get off the computer, Graham!

[fortmap]

Jacob KEELING Head Mar 84 Brother of St Cross Hospital, formerly farm bailiff Hants Itchenswell

I've got those censuses now, and I've found out what the St. Cross Hospital is, and it is still running!
http://www.stcross.f2s.com/

You can even still become a Brother..!

"The Scheme which governs the administration of the Hospital specifies that Brothers must normally be over sixty, no longer employed, and that preference should be given to those of low or limited income, although higher income is not a bar to entry. Emotional need is also considered. Brothers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and are typically single, divorced or widowers. The Brothers do not belong to a religious order, but the Hospital is a Christian foundation and Brothers are expected to wear their gowns to attend morning prayers in the Church each day."


Looks like I've found somewhere else to visit.

[fortmap]

Good grief, you wouldn't believe it, but a photographer called William Savage visited the Hospital at the same time old Jacob was there!

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/earlyphotos/g/006zzz08285ee23u00013000.html

One of these fellows, Brother James King, is in the 1871 census, in the same abode as Jacob!
I'm now frantically trawling the internet for more photos. I found a group one, but frustratingly, no names are given...

[avm228]

That's fantastic!  What a great picture.

Anna

[fortmap]

I've figured out that Brother King is the one behind and on the right.

[KirstyG]

The book from which the picture was taken is freely available on google books and is actually quite an interesting description of exactly what life was like when you relation was there

Kirsty

[fortmap]

Yep, that was where I figured out which man was which.

Brother Piper and Brother Griffiths are listed on the 1861 census.
Griffiths is written down right next to Brother Jacob.

So unbelievably close to having a picture of him... and yet so far!

[fortmap]

Here's the group...

http://www.winchestermuseumcollections.org.uk/index.asp?page=item&mwsquery=%7Bcollection%7D=%7Bphotographs%7DAND%7BWord%20search%7D=%7Bcross%7D&id=315

...he must be there, I'm sure.

[fortmap]

Well, I'm utterly astounded at what can be turned up if you look hard enough. Time for bed.