George Milner and Emily Leech

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George Milner and Emily Leech

Married 1893

Given the birthplaces of two of the children recorded in the 1901 census, it seems likely the family had lived in Southend-on-Sea (Essex) towards the end of the 1890s.

Before that they had spent some time in Clapham (London). At the time of Dorothy's birth, George and Emily were living at 60 Abbeville Road South, Clapham.

They may have also lived briefly in Camberwell, where they were married.

At the time of the 1901 census, the family lived at 30 Clyde Street, Sheerness, Kent.

There is an entry in the GRO indices for the marriage of a George Milner in Camberwell, Surrey in Jul/Aug/Sep 1893, with an Emily Leech appearing on the same page (volume 1d page 1363).

Husband: George Milner

Born: 18-Mar-1871
Died:
Father: Mark Samuel Milliner
Mother: Sarah Rickwood

Occupation: Grocer
There is an entry in the GRO indices for Apr/May/Jun 1871 for the birth of a George Milliner (Sheppey, volume 2a, page 753). I have a copy of the birth certificate now. George was born on 18th March 1871 at the family's home - 8 Bell Alley, Mile Town, Sheerness.

An unnamed male infant, 1 month old, is entered in the 1871 census in his parent's household. This is almost certainly George. This would indicate George was probably born in March of that year (the birth certificate confirms this).

Aged 10 at the time of the 1881 census (where is name is spelt Milner), at which time he was living with his mother, brother, and two sisters.

A 20 year old George Milner, born in Sheerness, Kent, appears in the 1891 census, but this time living in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. His occupation is recorded as Grocer's Assistant, and seemingly he is living with his employer at 77, Berkhamsted Road, Chesham. His marital status was entered as single. His occupation, age, and place of birth do seem consistent. His location is a little inconsistent with other information, but it is quite possible he may have moved around a bit, perhaps to find work. Furthermore, after some pretty extensive searching of the 1891 census, their don't seem to be any othe entries which are anywhere close.

By 1893, the year of his marriage to Emily, he had seemingly moved to Camberwell, Surrey.

At the time of the Dorothy's birth, March 1894, George's occupation was again recorded as Grocer's Assistant.

Aged 30 at the time of the 1901 census (where is name is spelt Milner). His place of birth is recorded as Kent Sheerness. His occupation is recorded as being Grocers Assistant.

Mentioned on the following webpage:

http://home.freeuk.com/g7iau/cards/emm.htm

The text reads:

NATIVE OF SHEERNESS. DIED AT PORTSMOUTH.SON OF MARK SAMUEL & MRS.SON/LAW=CHARLES HARE.SIS=MRS JACOBS & MRS PHILLIPS. SEE 14THDIED

There may be an error here - it seems likely "SON/LAW=CHARLES HARE" should really say brother in law instead.

George was present at his daughter Dorothy's wedding, in 1916, so must have lived at least until the age of 55. His occupation as entered on Basil and Dorothy's marriage certificate is a little hard to read, but may be "grocers manager". It seems likely he moved to Portsmouth at some time after 1901.

Wife: Emily Leech

Born: 1873
Died:
Father: Edwin Alfred Leach
Mother: Emily Bailes

For a while I thought Emily's maiden name may have been Lyon or Lyons, but having received a copy of her daughter Dorothy's birth certificate, it appears now her surname at birth was in fact Leech.

There is an entry in the GRO indices for the birth of an Emily Leech in Apr/May/Jun 1873 in Chelmsford, Essex (volume 4a, page 209). This seems consistent with the 1901 census entry.

An Emily Leach (note slightly different spelling) appears in the 1881 census, aged 7, and with a place of birth recorded as Chelmsford, Essex. Here she is living with her family at 105 Warner Road, Camberwell, Surrey.

The same Emily Leach appears in the 1891 census, aged 17, with a place of birth again recorded as Chelmsford, Essex. Again she is living with her family at 105 Warner Road, Camberwell, Surrey.

Emily was aged 27 at the time of the 1901 cenus, and her birthplace was recorded as Essex Chelmsford.

Child 1: Dorothy Milner

Born: 17-Mar-1894
Died:
Spouse: Basil St. Helier Hawkins
Children: Marion Hawkins, Gerald Basil Milner Hawkins, Doreen Hawkins

Occupation: Pianist
There is an entry in the GRO indices for Apr/May/Jun 1894 for ther birth of a Dorothy Milner in Wandsworth (volume 1d, page 653).

I have a copy of Dorothy's birth certificate now. She was born on the 17th March 1894 at the address her parents were living at at the time - 60 Abbeville Road South, Clapham. Her father's name is entered as George Milner, as we would have expected. Her mother's name is recorded as Emily Milner, formerly Leech. Her father's occupation is Grocer's Assistant. The birth was registered on the 5th April 1894 and the registrar was one George Thatcher.

Aged 7 at the time of the 1901 census, her birthplace was recorded as London Clapham. At the time of her marriage to Basil (August 1916) her age was recorded as 22. This suggests she was born in the first quarter of 1894 - consistent with her birth certificate.

Dorothy had already passed away by the time of her son Gerald's marriage in 1937. She probably died some time in the 1930s. Apparently the cause was pneumonia.

Apparently Dorothy was a talented pianist, and for a time played the organ which accompanied silent movies.

Child 2: George Milner

Born: 1896
Died:
Spouse:
Children:

There is an entry in the GRO indices for Jul/Aug/Sept 1896 (volume 2a, page 562) of the birth of a George Edwin B. Milner in the district of Rochford, Essex. This is the district which covers Southend.

Aged 4 at the time of the 1901 census, his place of birth is recorded as Essex Southend.

Child 3: Marjorie Milner

Born: 1900
Died:
Spouse:
Children:

There is an entry in the GRO indices for the birth of a Marjorie Eileen Milner in Jul/Aug/Sep 1900, registered in Sheppey (volume 2a, page 960).

Aged 8 months at the time of the 1901 census, her birthplace is recorded as Essex Southend.