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UNDERDOWN & GIBBONS

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John UNDERDOWN (1838 – 1892) and Johannah GIBBONS (1842 – 1919)

These are some of the documents found referencing this 3x Great Grandparent couple and their offspring.

UNDERDOWN, John (1838 – 1892)

  • Baptism: 30-Sep-1838 Charlton-Near-Dover, Kent to William UNDERDOWN (1814 – 1895) and Jane [HOBBS] (1817 – 1859) at FHL Film Number 1786211.
  • 1841 Census: 06-Jun-1841 Kent > River > ALL > District 12 under location Crabble. Aged 2, with parents and younger sister.
  • 1851 Census: 30-Mar-1851 Kent > River > ALL > 3 under location Crabble. Aged 12, with parents, younger sister and a lodger. Occupation Farmers Boy Ag Lab and born in Charlton.
  • 1861 Census: 07-Apr-1861 Kent > Hougham > All < District 03 under location Farm House. Aged 23, as one of several servant boarders with the PALMER family. Occupation Carter and born in Buckland.
  • Marriage: 11-Feb-1865 Buckland (Near Dover), Kent, England to Johannah GIBBONS per FHL Film Number 1886087 Reference ID 1179 358.
  • 1871 Census: 02-Apr-1871 Kent > River > ALL > 11 under location River Cottage. Aged 32, with wife and three children. Occupation Farm Servant Waggoner and born in Charlton.
  • 1876 Criminal Register: Potentially the person of the moniker who was charged with Riot and Malicious damage of property exceeding £3 1. Would need to check newspaper reports and other names to see if it could be him or someone else of the same name.
  • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 42, with wife and five children. Occupation Millers Labourer and born in Dover.
  • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > River > All > District 7 under location Valley Road. Aged 52, with wife and two children. Occupation Town (?) Labourer and born in Charlton.
  • Death: Q2 1892 Dover 2a 555, aged 52.
  • Burial: 18-Apr-1892 River, Kent, England at FHL Film Number 1835589.

GIBBONS, Johannah (1842 – 1919)

  • Birth: Q2 1842 Dover 5 105, mmn SPRATTLING and name recorded as Joannah GIBBONS on both FreeBMD and GRO.
  • Baptism: 10-Apr-1842 River, Kent, England to Mark GIBBONS (1806 – 1888) and Susanna [SPRATLING] (1800 – 1874), name recorded as Johanna GIBBONS.
  • 1851 Census: 30-Mar-1851 Kent > River > ALL > 3 under location River. Aged 9, with parents, two elder siblings and one younger. Occupation Scholar and born in Deal. Name written as Joanna.
  • 1861 Census: 07-Apr-1861 Kent > River > All < District 7 under location blank (minimal info on property placement). Aged 19, living with parents. Occupation is something like Works at Papermaker and born in River. Name seems to be written as Joana.
  • Marriage: 11-Feb-1865 Buckland (Near Dover), Kent, England to John UNDERDOWN per FHL Film Number 1886087 Reference ID 1179 358.
  • 1871 Census: 02-Apr-1871 Kent > River > ALL > 11 under location River Cottage. Aged 29, with husband and three children. Occupation blank and born in River.
  • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 40, with husband and five children. Occupation blank and born in River.
  • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > River > All > District 7 under location Valley Road. Aged 49, with husband and two children. Occupation Laundress Wash and born in River.
  • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Kent > River > All > District 4 under location Minis [Minnis] Lane. Aged 60, with son-in-law, daughter and four grandchildren. Occupation Laundress Wash (on own account / working at home) and born in River. In this form her name comes first but she is down as mother-in-law and son-in-law given as the head of household.
  • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Kent > Dover > ALL > 14 under location No 1, Minnis Lane, River. Aged 69, with son-in-law, daughter and seven grandchildren. Occupation blank and born in River. She has signed the return and there are 6 rooms to the dwelling per the form requirement. In this form, similarly she comes first in list, but is stated as head of household.
  • Death: Q2 1919 Dover 2a 1185, age 77, name recorded as Johanna UNDERDOWN.
  1. UNDERDOWN, William Edward (1865 – TBA)
    • Birth: Q2 1865 Dover 2a 791, mmn GIBBONS.
    • Baptism: 11-Jun-1865 River to parents John UNDERDOWN and Joanna per FHL Film Number 1835589.
    • 1871 Census: 02-Apr-1871 Kent > River > ALL > 11 under location River Cottage. Aged 5, with parents and two siblings. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 15, with parents and four siblings. Occupation illegible and born in River.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Not traced on this census.
    • 1901 Census: Not traced on this census.
    • 1911 Census: Not traced on this census.
    • 1921 Census: Not traced on this census.
    • 1939 Register: Not traced on this census.
    • Some trees online seem to have him as moving to Maidstone and dying there in 1960 but cannot connect any dots to feel any level of confidence that this is him. No obvious death in Kent after the 1881 census though either from a quick search. Much more research needed.
  2. UNDERDOWN, Jane (1866 – 1933)
    • Birth: Q32 1866 Dover 2a 777, mmn GIBBONS.
    • Baptism: 04-Nov-1866 River to parents John Underdown and Johanna per FHL Film Number 1835589
    • 1871 Census: 02-Apr-1871 Kent > River > ALL > 11 under location River Cottage. Aged 4, with parents and two siblings. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • 1881 Census: Not traced on this census
    • Marriage: Q1 1888 Dover 2a 1141 to Daniel HOLMANS.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > Capel le Ferne > All > District 8 under location Capel Sole Cottage. Aged 24, with husband and two children. Occupation none and born in River. Name transcribed as Jame HOLMON.
    • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Kent > Capel le Ferne > All > District 2 under location Capel Sole. Aged 34, with husband and six children. Occupation none and born in River. Name transcribed as Jane HOLMAN.
    • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Kent > Capel le Ferne > All > 02 under location Capel Sole. Aged 44, with husband and seven children. Occupation none and born in River. Name transcribed as Jane HOLMAN. She has signed the form and there are four rooms to the dwelling. She has been married 23 years, birthed nine children alive of which eight are still living.
      • Her ninth child, a son, lived for just 25 days having been born towards the end of 1907.
    • 1921 Census: 19-Jun-1921 Kent > Dover > 03 > 01,02,03 under location Cauldham Farm, Capel le Ferne. Aged 55
    • Death: Q2 1933 Dover 2a 1332, aged 66. From article in Dover Express newspaper, dated 23-Jun-1933, she died on 18-Jun-1933.
    • Burial: 21-Jun-1933 at Capel-le-Ferne Churchyard. Information taken from the same newspaper article.
    • The inquest into her death is also noted in the local news as sadly she died from septicaemia following a scratched thumb whilst selecting firewood on 05-Jun-1933.
  3. UNDERDOWN, Elizabeth Minnie (1869 – 1954)
    • Birth: Q1 1869 Dover 2a 909, mmn GIBBONS.
    • Baptism: 07-Feb-1869 River to parents John UNDERDOWN and Joanna per FHL Film Number 1835589
    • 1871 Census: 02-Apr-1871 Kent > River > ALL > 11 under location River Cottage. Aged 2, with parents and two siblings. Occupation blank and born in River. Name as Minnie.
    • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 12, with parents and four siblings. Occupation Scholar and born in River.
    • Marriage: Q4 1888 Dover 2a 1683 to Thomas WARREN. Name recorded as Minnie Elizabeth UNDERDOWN. Believe this was on 05-Dec-1888 in Buckland.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Not traced on this census.
      • Potentially out of the country but in Surrey beginning of next year for birth of first child. Not definite on husband either at this date but he is possibly a Thomas WARREN found in barracks at Aldershot so she may be travelling.
    • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Not traced on this census.
      • It appears her husband died in 1902 at Pretoria, Eastern Cape, South Africa so likely they are both abroad at this date with five children with births registered around the country.
    • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Yorkshire-East Riding > York > York West > 11 under location 10 Toft Green, York. Minnie Elizabeth WARREN is head of household, a widow, aged 42. Crossed through is that she was married 17 years with 10 children born alive but three who have died. There are six children under her roof but the latter couple are under age of three so do not appear to be her husband’s offspring.
    • 1921 Census: 19-Jun-1921 Yorkshire, East Riding (with York) > York > 03 > 11 under location 9a Toft Green, York. Minnie Elizabeth WARREN is head of household, a widow aged 54 years and six months. She has seven under her roof, six children and a daughter-in-law. She appears to have had another child out of wedlock in 1913.
    • 1939 Register: 29-Sep-1939 Yorkshire (West Riding) > York County Borough > KZNV under location 30 Clive Grove, York. Minnie E WARREN is noted as born 07-Dec-1869 so perhaps means 07-Dec-1868 as aware a number of people recorded a year out in the document. She seems to have four children still living with her.
    • Death: Q4 1954 York 2d 793, aged 87. Name recorded as Minnie E WARREN.
  4. UNDERDOWN, Edith May (1874 – c1947)
    • Birth: Q3 1874 Dover 2a 871, mmn GIBBONS.
    • Baptism: Not traced.
    • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 6, with parents and four siblings. Occupation Scholar and born in River.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > River > ALL > District 7 under location Lower Road. Aged 15, as one of several servant boarders with the TRELOAR family. Occupation Servant and born in Dover.
    • Marriage: Q4 1893 Fulham 1a 603 to John PHILLIPS.
    • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Surrey > Frimley > ALL > District 8 under location Mitchett Road between Aspen Farm and Rorke’s Drift. Aged 40, with husband and three children. Occupation blank and born in River nr Dover. Name recorded as Edith PHILLIPS.
      • Her age is therefore seemingly incorrect as she is only about 27 and also think her husband’s is a bit out as well. He is noted as 60, when believe it is actually more like 62. His Occupation given as Retired Army Captain and the eldest child noted as born in Cairo, Egypt so must have spent time outside the UK.
    • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Surrey > Frimley > ALL > 10 under location Glanmire, Mytchett. Aged 49, with husband and two children. Occupation blank and born Dover. Name recorded as Edith PHILLIPS.
    • 1921 Census: 19-Jun-1921 Surrey > Farnham > 01 > 12 under location The Patterns, Mytchett. Aged 52 years and six months she is a widow. Under the roof are three children and two boarders.
    • 1939 Register: 29-Sep-1939 Not traced on this register.
      • There is an Edith M PHILLIPS living in the Portsmouth area but the date of birth is 12-Oct-1875. She is widowed and undertaking Unpaid Domestic Duties. Also, with her is an Ida PHILLIPS, born 16-Apr-1916. More research required but does not feel right.
    • Death: Not confirmed.
      • There are a couple of different potentials that have been added to other trees but closer investigation does not appear to back up that this is the right person. More work to be done.
  5. UNDERDOWN, Ada Alice Anne (1876 – 1943)
    • Birth: Q4 1876 Dover 2a 937, mmn GIBBONS.
      • This is possibly 26-Sep-1876.
    • Baptism: Not traced.
    • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 4, with parents and four siblings. Occupation Scholar and born in River.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > River > All > District 7 under location Valley Road. Aged 14, with parents and one sibling. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • Marriage: Q1 1894 Dover 2a 1374 to Edwin Henry CASH.
    • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Kent > River > All > District 4 under location Minis [Minnis] Lane. Aged 25, with husband, mother and four children. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Kent > Dover > ALL > 14 under location No 1, Minnis Lane, River. Aged 36, with husband, mother and seven children. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • 1921 Census: 19-Jun-1921 Kent > Dover > 01 > 01 under location 2 Connaught Villas, Sibertswold. Aged 46 years and nine months she is with husband and six children. One has been crossed out so presumably not there on that night. She is on home duties whilst her husband and the son who is not there are described as Boiler Fireman and Boiler Cleaner respectively for Snowdon Colliery, Nonington. However, at this date they are both noted as out of work 2 so must have been difficult trying to keep the family fed.
    • 1939 Register: 29-Sep-1939 Kent > Dover Rural District > DJFA under location Glenfield, Shepherdswell which is apparently on West Court Lane. Date of birth given as 25-Sep-1875 which is believed to be a year (and day) out. Living with husband (a builders labourer) and five others (one record closed). The five others appear to be three adult children (all unmarried) with two grandchildren whilst their parents seem to be living in the property next door. She is noted as Incapacitated so likely that the daughter who is working part time and the daughter-in-law would be the ones taking care of the family now.
      • The place name Sibertswold has disappeared from maps now and just comes under Shepherdswell.
    • Death: Q4 1943 Dover 2a 1963, aged 68. Name recorded as Ada A A CASH.
      • It is believed that this was 19-Dec-1943 at Glenfield and that buried on 22-Dec-1943 in Shepherdswell.
  6. UNDERDOWN, Frank Ernest (1879 – 1936)
    • Birth: Q2 1879 Dover 2a 917, mmn GIBBONS.
      • Query over 02 or 12-Apr-1879 and possibly at No 6 Brickfield Cottages, Buckland.
    • Baptism: Not traced.
      • 25-May-1879 in Buckland from another persons’ tree.
    • 1881 Census: 03-Apr-1881 Kent > Buckland in Dover > ALL > District 2 under location 6 Brookfield Cottages. Aged 2, with parents and four siblings. Occupation blank and born in River.
    • 1891 Census: 05-Apr-1891 Kent > River > All > District 7 under location Valley Road. Aged 12, with parents and one sibling. Occupation blank and born in River. Name as Ernest.
    • Military Service: Between 16-Apr-1898 and 07-Sep-1905 it seems he served in the Royal Navy. 3
    • 1901 Census: 31-Mar-1901 Royal Navy > Vessels > ALL > District Victorious and believe at the time this was in the region of Malta. Aged 21, relationship to vessel is that of member of crew, occupation Stoker and born in Dover.
    • Marriage: Q4 1907 Dover 2a 2270 to Annie Constance E HEYMAN.
      • 07-Dec-1907 at Coldred Parish Church I believe.
    • 1911 Census: 02-Apr-1911 Kent > Temple Ewell > ALL > 04 under location No 2 Temple Terrace. Aged 31, with wife and two children. Occupation that of a Pit Sinker (underground) at Coal Colliery.
    • Military Service: Between 1914 and 1920 potentially served as a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps.
      • At time of joining up was employed as a Carter and living at Blackhouses, Staple.
    • 1921 Census: 19-Jun-1921 Kent > Dover > 02 > 07 under location 42 Folkestone Road, Dover ,Kent. Aged 42 years and two months with wife and six children. Occupation Labourer for Dover Corporation.
    • Death: Q4 1936 Elham 2a 1315, aged 63. Name as Frank UNDERDOWN.
      • This makes his age out by six years so not 100% definite correct one. More research required.

Footnotes –

References to be provided for evidence at a later date but most research has been done using Ancestry, FreeBMD and Google Maps.

  1. Ancestry, England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 – https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1590/records/375935 ↩︎
  2. Swansea University, ‘Black Friday’ and the 1921 Lockout – https://collections.swansea.ac.uk/s/black-friday-and-the-1921-lockout/page/blackfriday ↩︎
  3. Ancestry, UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848-1939 – https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/60522/records/511571 ↩︎
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