What is this initial on the 1881 census?

[ValJJJ]

Thanks Jebber.

[heywood]

That's interesting Rosie99 - thanks.

Also the P for the mythical John Lewis.

Just asking - was he really John Cheltenham Wake - or have you done that 

[ValJJJ]

I'm not entirely sure. 

Looking at John Cheltenham Wake census records, I found his family moved to Liverpool where in 1851 he (plain John Wake, son of John Wake, coach trimmer) was an apprentice gilder. His family stayed there, but he moved back to London by 1861 where the census shows him a single man, a lodger, figure and marine landscape artist, in Erith, Kent.  In 1871 he was in Lewisham with his wife Clara nee Reeves, and child, but I can't find him in 1881 at either address given in his probate record of 1882 (Caxton Rd and Henman St).  I need to explore those addresses a bit more. Also his son Herwald Andrew Wake (born 1865 in Erith, Kent), was referred to in a newspaper marriage report as the late artist's eldest son, but I have not found any other births for Wake with MMN Reeves.  So referring to son Cheltenham Wake Lewis???

Also in the 1881 census there is a visitor to the 'Lewis' household - Andrew Wake (transcribed as Wales but I think it is Wake) age 15 born New Cross, Kent. 

Clara is elusive so far after 1871 but I have found a Clara Reeves Wake death in 1922.  Or if not her, she remarried but can't find that.

[ValJJJ]

Back to Elizabeth, I have found a daughter of Ralph and Mary Ann Lewis in Erith, Kent, baptised in 1841, and in the 1871 census this person was with her mother and sister in Walthamstow, with the occupation of Artist Music.  So could artistic paths have crossed in Erith at some point?  I can find Ralph (a Trinity pilot) and Mary Ann in 1851 and 1861 in Erith, but no Elizabeth with them. He died in 1862 but probate is not shown until 1871.  Quite a delay!

Where was Elizabeth in 1841 and 1851?

[heywood]

Probate 1883 5th January
John Cheltenham Wake late of 5 Caxton Road
Died May 1882
Will proved by Elizabeth Lewis spinster

There are a couple of other addresses mentioned.

[ValJJJ]

Yes it's the probate record that started me off on this trail!

[heywood]

Elizabeth is in Caxton Road in 1881 with Mr Lewis.

Have you checked the death certificate - who was the informant?

[heywood]

If I recall, the children all have Wake in their name but no mother’s maiden name.
What about the details on the birth certificates?

Cheltenham was born in the March quarter 1881 so you would hope that record would be ‘true’.

[ValJJJ]

Heywood - no not checked the death cert.  I Yes, looked at all the birth records on GRO (but not birth certs).  I need to find the ref to the other thread for you!

However, just looked in more detail at the 1871 Elizabeth Lewis census and see a cousin, Charles Nevill, 34, student of painting, born London, was staying with them (in Green Leaf Lane, St Mary parish, Walthamstow.  So another connection to the artist?  Perhaps how she met John Cheltenham Wake?