James Hockin / Mules and Anna Lemon

Married

Child 1:   William J. Hocking Born: 1859 Died:   Spouse: Jessie De Viell Children: Edward S. Hocking, Horace E. Hocking, Selina Florence Hocking, Percy Clyde Hocking Occupation: Tailor There is an entry in the GRO indices for Jan/Feb/Mar 1860 for the birth of a William Mules in Bideford (volume 5b page 563). There is also an entry later in the year. This is for Oct/Nov/Dec 1860, for the birth of a "William Henry Mules" again in Bideford (volume 5b page 492). However, the earlier of the two seems more likely, given that this would correlate with the age given in the 1881 census. Aged 11 at the time of the 1871 census, "William J. Hocking" appears living with his parents, and his place of birth is recorded as "Devon, Bideford". Aged 21 at the time of the 1881 census, and named "William Mules". His birthplace is recorded as Bideford, and his occupation is Tailor. Aged 31 at the time of the 1891 census, and named "William J. Hockin". Here he is the head of the family, living with his wife and four young children. His occupation is again entered as tailor. Aged 41 at the time of the 1901 census, "William J. Hocking" appears living with his family and father-in-law. His place of birth is again Bideford, and his occupation is entered as "Journeyman Tailor".

Child 2:   Elizabeth Mules Born: 7-Apr-1862 Died:   Spouse: William George Marr Children: Beatrice Marr, Albert Victor Marr, Edith Bertha Marr Vera thought her grandmother was called Elizabeth, but other than that couldn't remember a great deal about her. It has taken some time to build up an exact picture of her. Vera thought her maiden name may have been Hockin or Hocking. She remembers having a (great) uncle Horace, which could possibly have been Elizabeth's brother. Vera also remembered she had worked as a housekeeper or maid at some time in her life. However, looking at her daughter Edith's birth certificate the mother's name is recorded as "Mary Elizabeth Marr, formerly Mules". So Elizabeth may in fact have been her middle name, although it appears to be the name she chose to use on a regular basis. As for her surname, at various times it has been recorded as Hockin (or Hocking) and at other times Mules. It seems that her father James was born Hockin - possibly his mother's surname, but following his mother (re)marrying, the family had at times adopted the surname Mules rather than Hocking. Given the confusion over her surname, it has proved a little difficult to track her down in the GRO indices. One promising entry is for the birth of a "Mary Elizabeth Miles Hockin", born in Bideford, Apr/May/Jun 1862 (volume 5b page 521). Hockin could well be an alternative spelling of Hocking, and Miles may well be a transcription error from Mules. I have the birth certificate now, and it does appear to be the right one. "Mary Elizabeth Mules Hockin" was born on 7th April 1862, on Union Street in Bideford. Her father's name is entered as James Hockin, and her mother's name Joanna Hockin formerly Lemon. Her father's occupation is entered as Iron Moulder (Journeyman). Elizabeth appears to be living next door to her parents at the time of the 1871 census, with her grandparents. One "Mary E. M. Hocking" is to be found, aged 8, with birthplace entered as Bideford, the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mules. There is an entry of an Elizabeth Mules in the 1881 census, aged 18, with her birthplace recorded as Bideford. Her occupation is dressmaker. The 1891 census seems to confirm this is the right Elizabeth. At this time Elizabeth, her husband William, and their three children are all living with Elizabeth's father. Elizabeth's age is entered as 28. An Elizabeth Marr, aged 38, appears in the 1901 census. Here she is working as a housekeeper in a house in Exeter, 10 Ponderland Crescent, for the Jallyan family. Her place of birth is recorded as Devon Bideford. Her marital status doesn't seem to have been entered. This seems very likely to be our Elizabeth.

Child 3:   John Mules Hocking Born: 1864 Died:   Spouse: Mary Jane Martin Children: Maud Hocking Aged 16 at the time of the 1881 census, his birthplace is recorded as Bideford, and his occupation Tailor. There is an entry in the GRO indices for the marriage of a "John Mules Hocking" in Oct/Nov/Dec 1888 in Exeter (volume 5b, page 12* - probably 129). "John M. Hocking" appears in the 1891 census, aged 26, living with his wife, young daughter, and mother-in-law. Here his occupation is entered as "Groom Coachman Domestic Serv.", and his place of birth is entered as Bideford.

Child 4:   Samuel M. Hocking Born: 1867 Died:   Spouse: Children: Aged 3 at the time of the 1871 census, his birthplace is recorded as Bideford. Aged 13 at the time of the 1881 census, his birthplace is recorded again as Bideford. A "Samuel M. Hocking" appears in the 1891 census, aged 23, with a place of birth entered as Bideford. The M. here could well stand for Mules. At this time he is unmarried. At this time he is living as a lodger at 18, Rack Street, St. Mary Major, Exeter. A Samuel Hocking appears, aged 33, born in Bideford, in the 1901 census. Here he is living in London, Lambeth to be more precise, at 18, Ravensdon Street. His occupation appears to be "warehouseman". He is living with his wife, Eliza here. It is hard to say for sure if this is definitely the same Samuel, but it seems quite plausible.

Child 5:   Anna Mules Born: 1869 Died:   Spouse: Alfred Lambell Children: Glencoe Alfred Lambell There is an entry in the GRO indices for the birth of an "Anna Lemon Hocking" in Apr/May/Jun 1870 in Bideford (volume 5b, page 525). Lemon may have been Anna's mother's maiden name. Aged 11 at the time of the 1881 census, her birthplace is recorded as Bideford. Aged 21 at the time of the 1891 census, at which time she is still living with her father. There is an entry in the GRO indices for the marriage of an Anna Lemon Hocking in Oct/Nov/Dev 1898 in East Stonehouse, Devon (volume 5b, page 624). On the same page appears an Alfred William Lambell. There is an entry in the 1901 census for an Anna Lambell, aged 31, and born in Bideford, Devon, living with her husband Alfred Lambell and their 11 month old daughter Glencoe.

Child 6:   Bertha Mules Born: 1872 Died:   Spouse: Children: Occupation: Shirt Maker Aged 8 at the time of the 1881 census,  her birthplace is recorded as Bideford. Aged 18 at the time of the 1891 census, at which point she is still living with her father. Aged 28 at the time of the 1901 census, and still living with her parents. Here her occupation appears to be something like "shirt maker".