An amazing find, an heirloom for the future & concerns regarding post-1858 wills
An amazing find
An amazing find led to a search for the descendants of a distant sea-faring ancestor who served on: H.M.S. Duke of Wellington (in 1865 when he married) and H.M.S. Royal Oak (on 1871 census). George William Exton was a ‘sick birth attendant’. The ‘find’: on the back of a small envelope – a hand written note (pictured below) which read:
Great Granddad George William Exton Born January 5th 1843 owned this smoking cap when he was on board HMS Royal Oak serving in the sick bay around 1868/1870 onwards Only certain people allowed to use these in the Captain’s quarters
The note was inside a ‘smoking cap’. They were found tucked into a divan bed base, donated to British Heart Foundation shop in Llandudno, North Wales, probably donated in the Autumn of 2023.
Some research has revealed the following information which may help to find any descendants of George William Exton: born 5 January 1843; baptised 18 January 1843 at ‘St. Thomas of Canterbury’ church, abode: Warbington Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire. Father’s name also George William Exton, Mother’s name: Amelia.
Further information was also found on ‘Findmypast’.
On the 1851 census: George William aged 8, is with his: father George William Exton (b. 1818) his mother Amelia (b. 1815) and Ann Abraham ‘mother in law’ living at 6 Pembroke Street, Portsmouth.
1861 Census: ‘Royal Navy at Sea and and in Ports Abroad’. George is aged 18 and ‘single’.
He is a ‘ship’s stewards boy’.
1865: when he was 22, he married Jemima Allen (aged 17) on 16 January at St. Mary, Portsea. George is a ‘sick berth attendant’ – H.M.S. Duke of Wellington. Jemima’s father was John Allen.
1871 Census: ‘Royal Navy at Sea and in Ports Abroad ….’ Royal Oak a ‘sick berth steward’.
NB Not been able to find Jemima Exton, wife (b. 1848) or son – George (b. 1868) in 1871.
1881 Census: at 2 Fifth Street, Portsea Island, Hampshire – father George William, Jemima, and four children: George Jas (b. 1868), Florence (b. 1873), Matilda (b. 1874), William (b. 1875).
1891 Census: address: ‘Part of Admiralty, 57 Spring Gardens, Strand’. George William is 48 ‘Office Messenger at Admiralty’ and wife ‘Amelia’, son – William aged 15 (b. 1876) a ‘steam engine fitter’ and a daughter Lilian V. aged 9 (b. 1882).
1901 Census: address: 63 Arundel Street, Portsmouth. George – ‘Pensioner R. N.’ and wife Jemima
