Site contents © Copyright Michael Crouch, 2000. |
Site contents © Copyright Michael Crouch, 2000. |
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The Jefferson family from Yorkshire to Kent From the birth, marriage and death records held at the Family History Centre in London, the movement and growth of the Jefferson family can be traced. This is expanded further when other records such as the census and probate records are consulted. We know from these that Samuel Robinson Jefferson's father was named John Jefferson, a farmer. Samuel was born and lived in North Newbald, Yorkshire. Samuel married Sarah Ellen Fulcher, a woman four years his senior. Her father was James Fulcher, a carpenter living in Ludham, Norfolk. By January 5, 1870 the Jefferson's were living at 15 Camden Street, Foxton near Gosport, Portsmouth. On this day, at 1.15 in the morning, James Jefferson was born. By now, Samuel was a Private Marine. A census return for Foxton in 1871 shows the young family sharing a house run by an older couple. The occupation entry clearly shows Samuel to be a Private Royal Marine.
The marriage of James Jefferson and Minnie Kate Higgs in 1896 On March 9, 1896 James Jefferson married Minnie Kate Higgs. They were both 26. Minnie Kate's father was Joseph Higgs, a builder. Minnie Kate was living at Beach Street in Deal while James had been living in Kentish Town, London, working as a "Piano Forté Tuner". At present, the reason for his being in Kentish Town is unknown, however, his third daughter of four, Eva May Jefferson, was born at St. Pancras, Kentish Town on December 13, 1901.
The Beach House Hotel in Deal, Kent, approx. 1910 On James' marriage certificate, Samuel Robinson is listed as a Hotel Proprietor. The hotel in question was the Beach House Hotel on the corner of Victoria Parade on Deal's North Front. Of five children, Kathleen Ellen Jefferson was the youngest, born in Deal on May 18, 1911. The family were living at the Beach House Hotel of which James was now the proprietor. The hotel was a prominent building in Deal. Samuel Robinson had already spent some time living in Walmer near Deal at the time of his own marriage, prior to living in Portsmouth. He had been a Royal Marine of which Walmer was one of its main bases. Although there has been a Depot band since 1891, then then Royal Naval School of Music did not move to Walmer until 1930. Music seems to have been something of a talent in the Jefferson family. A local newspaper report from around 1910 records a musical night held in Deal and reads as follows: CONCERT FOR ORPHANS For two hours a full "house" on Thursday evening enjoyed some of the best music excellently rendered at the Memorial Hall in Union street. The concert was on behalf of the Good Templar Orphanage at Sunbury-on-Thames. Mrs. F.A.Collyer, as Orphanage collector, supported by the Deal Lodge of Good Templars, was responsible for the concert, and Mr. J. Jefferson, assisted by his three daughters, and several other London and provincial artistes, very kindly undertook to provide the programme. With the exception of the Jefferson quartette, all the artistes wore khaki. The programme opened with a duet for violin and piano, a lengthy and intricate piece finely played by Mr. J. Jefferson and Pte. Aldridge. The latter also played several violin solos, all of which were splendidly rendered. Sgt. Shierlaw sang "Nirvana" and "The nameless lassie" with sympathy and taste. Miss. N. Jefferson sang with sincerity and in her usual unaffected way "Angus McDonald", and later, "Soul of Mine", two notable contributions to a fine programme. Pte. Dawson was a great favourite. He has a fine voice of good range and knows how to use it, his renderings of "Maire, my girl" and "Thank God for a garden" not to mention other numbers that he sang, were a source of delight. "The Kerry Dance" provided Miss. D. Jefferson with a number suitable to her vocal powers, and she rendered the item in a very pleasing manner. Later on, she sang, "For all eternity" with sympathy and taste. Lce.-Cpl. Linn splendidly sang "Less than the dust" and "The Young Royalist", the distinctive and sympathetic tones of his fine voice remaining in the memory long after the song had ceased. Miss. E. Jefferson - "the youngest of three" - although only a beginner, gave a praiseworthy rendering of "The Dear Homeland". A diversion was provided by Pte. Montgomery, who sang in character, "The motor bike" and "The railway porter" in a way that highly amused his audience. His genial and elastic features, and his undoubted talent, made his contribution very acceptable. Last on the programme appeared the name of Pte. Roffey, who possessing a well-trained falsetto voice, sang "Mate o' mine" and "Ross of Picardy" in a way that was greatly appreciated. Our report would not be complete did we forget to mention the musicianly services of Mr. Jefferson, who accompanied throughout the evening. He and his artistes fully deserved the thanks accorded them for providing such a happy evening. Rev. Dr. Tisdall commended the object of the concert to the generous support of the audience, and on behalf of the officials of the Orphanage home, Cr. F.A.Collyer thanked the artistes and audience for their support. The reference in this article to "three daughters" clearly predates the birth of the last two,Marjorie and Kathleen Ellen in 1911. There was also a son, Ron. The "Jefferson quartette" appellation clearly stuck as well since it turns up again in a letter from Eva May Jefferson in 1919. Sent from the Royal Navy Mining Depot at the Shakespeare Colliery in Dover where Eva had been an office worker, the letter was addressed to a female colleague and displays some of the character and humour of the Jefferson family. It reads: Miss Jeffries, Enclosed is the sum of 1-18-9d representing the magnanimous award of the Admiralty for services rendered or otherwise during week ending 11.7.19., which we trust will in some way assist you in defraying expenses on your return journey as we understand you're a/c at Cox's has been overdrawn. Submitted that the "Wren" engaged provisionally shall be discharged although greatly appreciated during her term of office. Considerable progress has been made in the redecoration of your boudoir since our last report, but regret to state we are unable to obtain curtains casement no.5 to complete this scheme. The dark room adjacent thereto is approved and recalcitrant women typists are to be incarcerated therein and visited hourly for chastisement. Submitted that 3 and a half inch T Girders have been fitted to the chair which was recently overweighted, and that its safe carrying load is now certified as 3 tons, which we hope will be sufficient to support increased weight obtained during the hymeneal period. The Commissioner of Police notify that all persons entering the area of the Processional route comport themselves as sober minded citizens, and refrain from unseemly mirth and ribald practical jokes; also to be aware of tripping over projecting rails thereby sustaining abrasions in unknown portions of the anatomy. It is also requested that decollete costumes should not be worn on this occasion as ticklers are liable to annoy one in spite of prohibition. We remain the undisguised, very sympathetic, "Quartette". Another past time evidently enjoyed by James Jefferson was angling. A small bronze medal records the Deal and Walmer Angling Association Boat Festival of 1914, and James Jefferson's catch of 18 lbs and 11ozs. An earlier cartoon of 1907 drawn by Herbert Owens shows James Jefferson hauling up an old boot on the end of his fishing line.
Kathleen Ellen Jefferson (right) in Deal, Kent during the 1930's From these source documents, it is clear to see that the Jefferson family enjoyed participating in social life. Unfortunately however, James Jefferson died at 23 Victoria Street, Deal on August 31, 1919 at the relatively young age of 49. Once more he is recorded as a "Piano Forté Tuner". He had died of "Paralysis and Exhaustion". Eva May Jefferson had originally travelled to Australia in 1926 with her sister, Dolly, the latter having been cast from the family following the birth of an illegitimate child. Eva eventually moved there permanently having worked for the Royal Navy at Dover, as well as for the BBC at Bush House in London. Eva had been a prolific traveller. She made return visits to England a number of times as well as visiting countries as diverse as Alaska and Japan. A long letter survives of her Alaskan trip and provides a lively insight into both her character and outlook. |
