The King's Bench Prison

 

David Wait must have looked forlornly up at the grim 50ft brick wall as he was led through the wicket gate towards the gaoler of the King’s Bench prison on April 9th 1773. He had been arrested by the Sheriff of Middlesex’s men and taken three miles south over the river to Southwark. Meanwhile, his wife Eleanor undoubtedly worried about coping with their four young children back in New Inn Street, Shoreditch.

I discovered this story about my 6xGreat Grandfather David Wait (1738-1793) in April 2023 - 250 years later. Several people have asked if I have found out any more since. Well, during a break from working for my clients - I have, and it has given me a glimpse into a traumatic time in my ancestor's life.

My investigation started with a few lines in an issue of the London Gazette newspaper of 1774 and documents in the National Archives have shone more light on this case. David Wait a carpenter of Shoreditch, had promised to pay £40 6s. 5d to John Edington but had failed to do so. This was possibly a bill for goods supplied or a business matter of some kind. Edington entered a plea of ‘trespass of the case’ (failure to fulfil an agreement) and was claiming damages totalling £60. An arrest warrant had been issued for David to appear in court to answer the case. But, was unable to put up bail, so on 16th April 1773 he was committed to the King’s Bench Prison in Southwark as an insolvent debtor.

Debtors prisons were institutions in which inmates were kept until they could pay or were declared insolvent. The best-known were the Fleet, Marshalsea, Ludgate and King’s Bench. For those who were destitute, cramped conditions, filthy floors and starvation awaited and all the while an inmate remained his debt accrued. As the prisons were privately owned, a prisoner also had to pay for bed and board, even if none was provided, this led to corruption. Charles Dickens highlighted their grim conditions in novels like “Little Dorrit” and “David Copperfield”.

Some prisoners, who could afford it, paid for the privilege to lodge outside the King’s Bench. This was known as “Liberty of the Rules” and was normally just for long-term inmates. David does not appear in the “Prisoners’ Address Book”, so it can be assumed that he was housed in the prison for 15 months. 

King's Bench Prison had been rebuilt several times and took its name from the court. It had a reputation for being filthy and overcrowded. Outbreaks of typhus fever were common and sanitation consisted of one bucket in each cell. A letter written by Geoffrey Mynshall in 1618 from the prison described it as having, “more diseases predominant in it than the pest-house in the plague time …stinks more than the Lord Mayor’s dog-house”. 

David applied in June 1774 to be discharged under the recently passed “Insolvent Debtors’ Relief Act”. He was eventually released from prison on 28th July 1774 upon a hearing at the Borough Court, St. Margaret’s Hill, Southwark and after paying Edington £64 10s. A huge sum in those days. Using the Bank of England “Inflation Calculator” equates to £8,054.49 today! Perhaps his brother James Wait, a brandy merchant of White Cross Street, Islington, helped stump up the cash. Or, did he get financial support from his local Freemason Lodge of which David had been a member since 1771? Or a combination of the two?

 

After enduring those unimaginable conditions David and his wife Eleanor went on to have three more children. He lived for another 19 years but sold his property in New Inn Street, Shoreditch, two years before he died. 

James Coward and the White Feather

 

At this time of Remembrance, I want to recall the tragic story of James Coward, the older brother of my maternal grandfather. I have researched many military records for clients, but this tragic story will stay with me forever.

When Britain declared war against Germany on 4th August 1914, James Coward was 26. In September of that year, he married Laura Sayer at All Saints Church, Tufnell Park, Islington. The married couple lived at 15 Grove Road, Upper Holloway, Islington - James gives his occupation as a ‘Gas Fitter.’

As a married man, he would not have been expected to volunteer during the early stages of the conflict. A year later, the couple had a daughter, Edith Laura Coward. Sadly, the following spring, James's wife Laura passed away from Bright's disease. This is an old term for a disorder caused by the inflammation of blood vessels in the kidneys. She was just 29 years old.

On the 25th May, 1916 conscription was extended to married men. But James was now a widow with a dependant child, so once again his circumstances would have exempted his call-up.  But it was probably during a train journey home from work, that a woman cruelly dropped a white feather in his lap. 

The White Feather Movement was a propaganda campaign in England during WWI to enlist in the army. White feathers (a symbol of cowardice) were distributed by women of the Order of the White Feather to any man they saw who seemed capable of joining the army that was out of uniform.

James was so ashamed to receive this white feather he told his family: "That's it, I'm going!" He was determined to join the army. He enlisted in Wood Green on the 13th of October 1916 and was sent to the 1st Queens's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. 

In less than 12 months James had been killed. He died of wounds during an attack near Geluveld, Belgium on 4th October 1917. Reading his regiment’s war diary sent shivers down my spine. It simply states, “ The enemy shelled our positions at intervals during the day. The battalion suffered about 100 casualties of which a large proportion belonged to B Company.”

James died of his wounds and lies buried at Lijssenthentoek Military Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His grave reference is XX. D. 10. He was one of over 9 million soldiers killed during the Great War of 1914-1918. There were also 20 million wounded and 359,150 men missing in action. 

His daughter Edith lived until she was 87. She often cried, lamenting that she never knew her father. All she had was a crumpled photograph of him that she treasured for the rest of her life.

My account my of James's story I hope, will be a testament to the sacrifice he made for his country and prove to future generations he was a brave Coward.

Three Cups Alley

 

After my recent post about my ancestor John Wait (1797-1868), several people have asked me about a place he lived in during the 1840s called Three Cup Alley in Shoreditch. It was difficult to find; the area has changed considerably down the centuries, but some of it does still survive.

The alley first appears in John Rocque's map of London in 1746. The north-south stretch was once known as George Street, while the grimmer east-west length was known as Three Cup Alley. 

The alley's name has a quaint charm, but in reality, it was far from being a pleasantly old-fashioned place. James Elmes in, “A Topographical Dictionary of London” (1831), gives us a graphic description of it:

“The place alluded to is Three-Cup-Alley, Shoreditch, where shame to magistracy, and those in power, it excels in nastiness, its entrance is dark as Erebus, and the polluted smell that issues from the nauseous filth … The posterior parts of their dwelling. Are they not bestrewed with blood, offal and contaminated matter, from which an effluvium arises that darts through all the avenues of the brain and makes the inhabitants wretched indeed.”

Most buildings around Three Cup Alley were demolished during the construction of Great Eastern Street in 1877 - probably for the best. All that survives today of Three Cup Alley, is a small section to the right of what used to be called George Street and now Fairchild Place. Today it is an extremely narrow, litter strewn dead-end, lined with air conditioning units. Hard to beleve that John, with his wife Jane and their eight children, eked out an existance somewhere along this squalid alley over 180 years ago.

The alley seems to have been named after The Three Cups Inn, once located at the southwest intersection of Bread Street and Watling Street, about a mile from the alley. The earliest surviving reference to The Three Cups is in a will dated 10th August 1363. For over 500 years, The Three Cups provided food, drink and shelter for guests and their horses. It was re-built several times and in 1720 was described as, 'large and well built and of great trade for country wagons and carriers.'  

Being located near a "prison house pertaining to the sheriffes of London," during the Sixteenth Century, records suggest it was a probably a meeting place for thief-takers.

Scottish Ancestry?

I am Scottish! It took a few years of research, but I recently found the baptism of my 4x great grandfather John Wait(e) (above). Two pages of this parish record confirmed my earlier research and revealed new information - my Scottish roots!

The first page shows that John Wait(e) was born on the 15th June 1765 - the son of David Wait(e) (c.1738-1793), a carpenter in Shoreditch, Middlesex. There are always surprises researching family history - this was a big one. John was baptised in The Scottish Church, London Wall,' in front of the Scottish congregation', on the 7th July 1765. (I have 18% Scottish DNA).

Reading through those two pages, I noticed the baptisms of David’s two other children,  James (b.1766) and Elizabeth (b.1768). Elizabeth must have been ill because she was baptised just over a mile away, in her father's house near Shoreditch by Rev. Robert Lawson. Intriguingly, there is also the baptisms of the two children of James Waite, a Cooper, from New Inn Street in Shoreditch. Were they related? My research continues!

The Old Scots Church formerly met at Founder’s Hall, Lothbury and was the oldest Scottish church in London. Its origins are uncertain, but existing records take it back to the Restoration of Charles II.

John Wait(e) was baptised by Rev. Robert Lawson, the son of a minister of Closeburn in Dumfries, Scotland. Lawson was educated at Glasgow University and was invited to Lothbury in May 1752 to be a pastor. On the 29th July of that year he was ordained.

Robert Lawson was greatly respected preacher; his congregation at Founder’s Hall increased so much that they decided to build a larger meeting house on land at the upper end of Coleman Street near London Wall. Construction of the new Scot’s Church finished in the summer of 1764.

Lawson’s ministerial services continued for nearly seven years until one cold, snowy day he became ill while walking from his house in Hackney. He died on 24th April 1771.

John Wait's Apprenticeship

 

Finding this document gave me goosebumps. It’s a vital piece of evidence showing not only my 5x Great Grandfather, John Wait’s (1765-1831) carpentry apprenticeship, but confirming the name of his father - my 6x Great Grandfather, David Wait.

This indenture, dated February 1st 1785, is a legal document from London, governed by the Custom of London (a set of bye-laws), binding John to his master, John Tricker, a carpenter of Mitchell Street, St. Luke’s in Middlesex. It stipulated that while serving his apprenticeship, he could not marry or trade in his own right.  

Three years later, Tricker had moved (probably with John Wait) four miles into Moorfields Liberty, Shoreditch. He appears in the Summoning Book for poor rate defaulters in Shoreditch on March 7th 1788, where he promised to pay his rent in 10 days.

John Wait and his father David (1738-1793) were both carpenters, working in New Ivy Street, Shoreditch, Middlesex.

"This Indenture witnesseth, that John Wait son of David Wait of Shoreditch in the county of Middlesex, carpenter doth put himself apprentice to John Tricker of Mitchell Street, St. Lukes, in the same county ... citizen and carpenter of London, to learn his art, and with him (after the manner of an apprentice) to serve from the day of the date of these presents, unto the full end and term of seven years from thence next ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended. During which term, the said apprentice his said master faithfully shall or will serve, his secrets keep, his lawful commands every where gladly do: he shall do no damage to his said master, nor see to be done by others, but to his power he shall let or forthwith give notice to his said master of the same: The goods of his said master he shall not waste, nor the same without licence of him to any give or lend: hurt to his said master he shall not do, cause or procure to be done: he shall neither buy nor sell without his master's license: taverns, inns, ale-houses, he shall not haunt: at cards, dice tables, or any other unlawful games, he shall not play, whereby his said master may have any loss: nor from his said master's service day or night absent himself: but in all things as an honest and faithful apprentice, shall and will demean and behave himself towards his said master, and in all things as an honest and faithfull apprentice, shall and will demean and behave himself towards his said master, and all his during all the said term. And, the said master for the consideration the said apprentice, in the art aforesaid, which he now useth, shall teach and instruct, or cause to be taught and instructed, the best way and manner that he can, finding and allowing unto his said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel, washing, lodging, and all other necessaries, during the said term. And for the true performance of all and every covenants and agreements aforesaid, either of the said parties bindeth himself to the other firmly by these present. In witness whereof the parties above-said to these  indentures interchangeably have set their hands and seals, the First Day of February in the Twenty Fifth Year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King , Defender of the Faith, and in the year of Our Lord  1785".

Pictures and the Past

 

These are some images of my family. Behind each picture, there are hundreds of stories. I often get asked, how do I start researching my family tree? My reply is always the same - start with a paper and pen and talk to your older relatives. Ask them about their memories. Let them describe their work, daily routines, superstitions, where they lived, neighbours etc. You will be surprised how willing they will be to chat about their early lives. Society has changed incredibly quickly, and their personal stories are priceless- and if not recorded will be lost forever. 

Luckily I did ask some of my family about their past, and my notebooks are full of stories about my maternal grandmother's hard life (middle left). Nanny Cuckoo; as I affectionately called her, was a remarkable woman. She lived through two world wars and raised six children - on her own.

My father (top left) often described his grandmother's strict Victorian ways; occasionally, he spoke about his experiences as a soldier during WWII; but I had to be careful - it triggered his nightmares. His memories later inspired me to write a book about his experiences fighting in the jungles of Burma. 

My mother (centre in the bottom row) is a goldmine of information and tells horrific stories of living in London during the Blitz. She also has many anecdotes about her grandfather Walter Coward (bottom right), known locally as The Iron Man of Islington. He must have been a colourful character. During the construction of the Astoria in Finsbury Park, he became buried under a collapsed wall. Hannah, his wife, thought he was dead. But, that evening he appeared on the doorstep covered in dust.  She fainted, believing she had seen his ghost! 

During research for my clients, I always add information that sheds light on the world their ancestors knew. Historical maps, school reports, trade directories, military records, electoral rolls and so on can all help. But, nothing can replace the colourful anecdotes of voices from the past. 

William Valentine Wait

 

St. Valentine's Day was an important day for my ancestors. 232 years ago my 5xGreat Grandfather John Wait (1765-1831) married Ann Wheatley (1766-1840) on the 14th February 1790, at St. Luke's Church in Old Street, Finsbury.

What a romantic day to be wed! In between working for my clients, I like to look at the world in which my ancestors lived. During this period, Valentine cards started to be sent. Initially, they were made by hand as pre-made cards were manufactured later. They consisted of lines of poetry decorated with flowers and love knots. An early hand-made Valentine puzzle, dating from the year of John and Ann's marriage, is shown.

Exactly a year later, John and Ann Wait’s first child was born. Their son, William was born on 14th February 1791 and baptised at Holywell Mount Chapel on the 10th March of that year. He was given the middle name Valentine.

William doesn't appear to have married, but when he died in 1857 he left a Will that showed he had been a reasonably wealthy barrister's clerk. Listed amongst his possessions were a mahogany Elizabethan bedstead and various silver-plated cutlery. He left his best clothes to his brother John Wait (1797-1868) - my 4xGreat Grandfather.

William Valentine Wait was buried on February 7th 1857 in St James Cemetery, Swain's Lane, Highgate, London. But his name would live on. When his brother John Wait had a second son on 31 May 1822, he was baptised William Valentine Wait. 

A Signature From 231 Years Ago

 

That moment when you see the signature of your 6xGreat Grandfather from 231 years ago...

The Princess, The Conqueror & The Viking

 

It is often a dream to trace a family back to 1066. And, this is what happened during my research for a client as a Christmas present for his wife. On Christmas Day, she was astonished to read about her family links to William the Conqueror, a Saxon Princess and even a Viking leader. My client has permitted me to describe some details of my extraordinary discoveries.

I started, as usual, with an examination of census returns and parish records. Soon I found that this particular Cushion family had an established bloodline in the County of Norfolk down the centuries. The resources, held in local archives, revealed that various academic investigations had taken place into the history of this family, including surviving subsidy rolls and manuscripts. As the days passed, a remarkable paper trail opened up for me. I linked her Cushion/Cussyn line with a Ralf le Cusyn de Limisi, a descendant of Ralph de Limisi, Baron of Oxenburg in Norfolk (c.1040-1093), nephew of William the Conqueror. Baron Ralph of Oxenburg had accompanied William to England during the Norman Invasion and was given lands in ten English counties, including Norfolk. 

So, I established that William the Conqueror, son of Robert I of Normandy and 3x grandson of the Viking chieftain Rollo, was also the son of the 26x great-grandmother of my client’s wife. Amazingly enough, legend states that Baron Ralph of Oxenburg married Princess Cristina, sister of Prince Edgar, an Anglo Saxon Prince. 

Of course, my client's wife cant move into Buckingham Palace yet. A surprisingly high number of people probably have a royal ancestor or two. The main problem lies with finding a gateway ancestor and the survival of records. Do you perhaps have roots with royalty?

A Journey in the Time Machine

Has a movie ever influenced you? One of my favourite films is The Time Machine, made in the 1960s starring Rod Taylor. After watching it on our black and white telly as a child, I was awestruck by the concept of travelling forwards or back through time. I rushed out to my library and read the original book. I have always loved history. Having the ability to visit a period long ago has always been a dream.

MRS. WATCHETT: Mr Filby, do you think he will

   ever return?

FILBY (quietly): One cannot choose but wonder. -

   You see, he has all the time in

   the world.

We haven't the scientific ability that the author H.G. Wells imagined in 1895. But, about 30 years ago, I discovered the next best thing after a long day trudging around a shopping mall in Essex. I espied a small paperback on the shelf of a tiny book shop, explaining how to research family history. It was what you would probably call an epiphany.

Many trips to London followed. I began researching census returns, ancient parish records and buying certificates. (This was before many archives were available online). Weekend visits to relatives now included me carrying a notebook, leading to my daughter Rebecca groaning, "dad's talking about dead people again!"

I became hooked and eventually completed a University course. 

Five years ago I started my very successful genealogy business. Now I invite my clients to climb into my time machine, meet generations of their ancestors, see where they lived, worked and worshipped and learn their individual stories.