Thomas Challis was born at Ousden and baptised at Depden 7 March 1819, a son of Robert Challis and Sarah formerly Cook.
Thomas (X) married Mary Woolard (X) at Depden, 28 June 1840, after banns. He was aged 22, a single man and labourer of Depden, the son of Robert Challis, labourer. Mary was aged 20, a spinster of Depden the daughter of Robert Woolard, labourer. The witnesses were John Challis (X) and Ann Bates (X). Mary was baptised as Mary Ann, daughter of Robert and Martha Woollard, labourer, 23 April 1820 at Wickhambrook.
In the 1841 census of The Green. Depden, Thomas was aged 23, an agricultural labourer with Mary Ann aged 20 and George aged 1. All were born in Suffolk.
In the 1851 census he was living at Depden, aged 33, an agricultural labourer born at Ousden. His wife Mary Ann was 32 born at Stradishall and their children were George, aged 10 born Depden, Hannah aged 8 born Chedburgh, Robert aged 7 born Depden and Alfred aged 4 born Depden.
In the census of 1861, of The Green, Depden, Thomas was aged 43. an agricultural labourer, born at Ousden. His wife, Mary, was aged 42 and born at Wickhambrook. Their children were George aged 20 an agricultural labourer, Hannah aged 19 a dressmaker born at Chedburgh, Robert aged 16 an agricultural labourer, Alfred aged 14 an agricultural labourer, William aged 10, Sarah aged 7 and Walter aged 1, all (except Hannah) born at Depden.
In the 1881 census of Depden, Thomas was aged 63, married, an agricultural labourer born Ousden. With him was his daughter Sarah, unmarried, a housekeeper aged 23, born at Depden.
Thomas was buried at Depden, 1 May 1888, aged 69.
In 1891 at 20 Clay Hall Road, St Mary Stratford, Bow, Mary was aged 72 and born at Barrow and living with her son, Robert, and his family.
Thomas and Mary’s children were:
George Challis (1840 - 1875), born c. 1840 at Depden and baptised 22 June 1840 (Thomas and Mary Challis, labourer) at Depden.
In 1841 he was at home with his parents aged 1.
In 1851 he was at home with his parents aged 10 and born at Depden.
In 1861 he was at home with his parents aged 20 an agricultural labourer born at Depden.
He married Louisa Garwood in the Risbridge district in the December quarter 1866.
In 1871 at Cottage by Depden Gate, he was aged 29, an agricultural labourer, born at Depden. His wife was Louisa, aged 24 and born at Stradishall.
He was buried at Depden 27 February 1875 from Ashley aged 34.
Louisa Challis remarried, to Robert Savage, in the Thingoe district in the December quarter 1880.
In 1881 at The Green, Depden, she was aged 33 and born at Stradishall. Her husband, Robert Savage was aged 35 and an agricultural labourer, born at Depden. With them was Robert’s stepson, Fredrick M. Challis aged 9 and born at Depden.
George and Louisa’s child was
Fredrick Michael Challis, born at Depden and birth registered in the Thingoe district and in the September quarter 1871.
Hannah Challis, born c. 1843 at Chedburgh. There is a baptism at Chedburgh 25 January 1842 of a Challis, father a labourer, but no other details were given.
In 1851 she was at home with her parents aged 8 and born Chedburgh.
In 1861 she was at home with her parents aged 19 a dressmaker and born at Chedburgh.
She married James Copping (X) (full age, a bachelor and labourer of Depden, father not given) at Depden (banns) on 6 June 1863. Hannah (X) was of full age, a spinster of Depden, the daughter of Thomas, a labourer.
1n the 1881 census they were living at The Green, Depden. Hannah was 39, born at Chedburgh and James was aged 38, an agricultural labourer and born at Rede. Their children were Obadiah 14 an agricultural labourer, Robert 12, Ellen 8, Kate 6, Ann 3 and Alice E. aged 9 months. All were born at Depden. James and Hannah’s children were:
Matilda Copping, baptised _
Jan 1866 (labourer, entry by 7 Jan) at Depden.
Obadiah Copping, born c. 1866/7 at Depden and registered in the March quarter 1867 in the Thingoe district. He was baptised 2 January 1870 (labourer, same date as Robert) at Depden.
Robert Copping, born c. 1868 at Depden and registered in the December quarter 1868 in the Thingoe district. He was baptised 2 January 1870 (labourer, same date as Obadiah) at Depden.
Ellen Copping, born c. 1872/3 at Depden. She was baptised 20 April 1871 (labourer) at Depden9. There is a public baptism of Ellen 17 August 1873 at Depden.
Catherine Copping, born c. 1874/5 at Depden and baptised 16 May 1875 (labourer) at Depden.
Anne Copping, born c. 1877/8 at Depden and baptised 20 May 1877 (labourer) at Depden.
Alice Eliza Copping, born c. August 1880 at Depden and baptised 15 August 1880 (labourer) at Depden.
May Copping, baptised 23 July 1882 (labourer) at Depden.
Bertie Copping, baptised 22 November 1885 (Coppen,
labourer) at Depden.
Robert Challis, born c. 1844 at Depden and baptised 16 June 1844 (Thomas and Mary Challis, labourer) at Depden.
In 1851 he was at home with his parents aged 7 and born at
Depden.
In 1861 he was at home with his parents aged 16 an agricultural labourer and born at Depden.
There is a marriage of Robert Challes to Caroline Stiff in the Poplar district in the September quarter 1869. A Caroline Stiff was registered in the June quarter 1844 in the Thingoe district (only one in 1840-1850) and was baptised 1 July 1846 at Chedburgh, a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Stiff, labourer.
In 1871, at 3
Plant Terrace, St Mary Stratford Bow, Robert was aged 26, an agricultural
labourer, born at Depden. His wife,
Caroline, was aged 26 and born at Chedburgh. Their daughter, Ellen was aged 3 months
and born at Bow.
A search of the 1881 census for Robert Challis born Suffolk, between 1839 and 1849 gave only one entry, that of a Robert Challis aged 36, a labourer, born Suffolk at 20 Clay Hall Road, Middlesex. His wife was Caroline aged 36, born Suffolk and his children were Ellen 10, Robert 7, Alice 5 and Thomas 3, all born at Bow, Middx. There were two boarders named Lewis and born in Wales.
In 1891 at 20 Clay Hall Road, St Mary Stratford, Bow, in 4 rooms, were Robert aged 47, a milk carrier born at Debden, Suffolk, Caroline, his wife, aged 47 and born at Chedburgh with children Robert aged 19 (?) a brick and pipes labourer, Thomas W. aged 13, a labourer in paper stainer (?), Walter aged 9, George aged 6 and Mary A. Challis, Robert’s mother, aged 72, a widow born at Barrow.
There is a death registration for a Robert Challis, aged 46, in the Poplar district in the June quarter 1891.
A search of the 1901 census index gave no suitable entry for Robert but did have an entry for Caroline Challis, aged 56 and born at Chedburgh, Suffolk, living in East Ham. This suggests that Robert had died by 1901 and could easily be this Robert, marrying a girl from the next parish. Robert and Caroline’s children were:
Ellen Challis, born c. 1870/1 at Bow, Middx.
Robert Challis, born c. 1873/4 at Bow, Middx.
Alice Challis, born c. 1875/6 at Bow, Middx.
Thomas W. Challis, born c. 1877/8 at Bow, Middx.
Walter Challis, born about 1881 at Bow
George Challis, born about 1884 at Bow
Alfred Challis, born c. 18479 at Depden and baptised 23 August 1846 (Thomas and Mary Ann Challice, labourer) at Depden.
In 1851 he was at home with his parents aged 4 and born at Depden.
In 1861 he was at home with his parents aged 14 an agricultural labourer and born at Depden.
On 14 March 1869, on the Wickhambrook – Depden road, Alfred Challis, labourer and George Nunn were drunk and about to fight. It was about 10.15 (am or pm?). The constable warned them to be quiet, but shortly afterwards began fighting on the ground, covered in blood and dust. The constable stood them up and prevented them from fighting further. He had also cautioned them only the previous Sunday. The magistrates at the County Petty Sessions in Bury on 17 March fined each of them 5s with 4s costs[i].
On 3 December 1869, at about 4 o’clock (am or pm?), Alfred Challis, of Depden, labourer, was acting suspiciously on land near Chevington in the occupation of Mr Woollard. The Marquis of Bristol’s gamekeeper apprehended him and on searching him found some snares and a bottle containing a small quantity of gunpowder, but no gun. At the County Petty Sessions in Bury on 8 December, Alfred was fined 5s or 14 days in prison for trespass in pursuit of game. Alfred was committed to prison.
On 14 August 1875, in the evening, Alfred (labourer of Depden) was visiting the Queen Inn at Wickhambrook but was refused a drink on account of his inebriation. He was ejected three times. Alfred broke a window and wanted to fight. He was summoned to appear at the Thingoe and Thedwastre Sessions on 25 August and was fined 5s with 11s costs, which was paid for by Alfred’s employer, Mr Fyson, on account of being late with the harvest[ii].
He married Sarah Ann Paske (full age, a spinster of Depden, daughter of Henry Paske, a labourer) at Depden (banns) on 1 September 1879. Alfred (X) was of full age, a bachelor and labourer, of Depden, the son of Thomas, a labourer. The witnesses were Walter Challis (X) and Susan Challis.
In the 1881 census of Rookery Farm, Depden, he was 35, an agricultural labourer born at Depden, his wife, Sarah, was 25, born at Depden and his daughter, Eliza, was aged 1 and born at Depden.
In 1901 (Index), Alfred was aged 50 and Sarah Ann was aged 44. With them were Annie aged 12, Thomas aged 11, George aged 10, Robert aged 8, Nellie aged 5 and Lilly aged 0 (daughter). All were born in Depden.
In 1911 (index) living in Depden were Alfred aged 64, Sarah Ann aged 55, George aged 20 and Robert aged 18.
Their children appear to be:
Eliza Challis, born c. 1880 and baptised 8 February 1880 (Sarah, labourer) at Depden.
She married David Danby (27, a bachelor of Exning, son of William Danby, labourer) at Depden (banns) on 20 December 1900. She was aged 22 (exaggerated), a spinster of Depden, the daughter of Alfred, a labourer. The witnesses were Alfred Challis (X) and Kate Challis.
Kate Challis, baptised 21
August 1881 (Sarah, labourer) at Depden.
George Challis (1883 – 1884), baptised 8 April 1883 (Sarah, labourer) at Depden. He was buried 8 May 1884 aged 1 year and
3 months, at Depden.
Amelia Challis, born c. 1883 and baptised 28 September 1884 (Sarah, labourer) at Depden. She married Joseph Wright (X) (24, a bachelor of Denston, a carman, son of Alfred Wright, a labourer) at Depden, 25 January 1902. The witnesses were Alfred Challis (X) and Louisa Challis.
Louie Challis, baptised 29
August 1886 (Sarah Ann, labourer) at Depden.
Annie Challis, baptised 9 September
1888 (Sarah Ann, labourer) at Depden.
Thomas Challis, baptised 25 December 1889 at Depden (Sarah Ann, labourer).
George William Challis, baptised 16 August 1891 at Depden (Sarah Ann, labourer).
Robert Challis, baptised 9 October
1892 (Sarah Ann, labourer) at Depden.
Ellen Challis (1894 – 1894), baptised 12 May 1894 (Sarah Ann, labourer) at
Depden. She was buried 12 December
1894 aged 9 months at Depden.
Ellen Challis, baptised 19
December 1895 (Sarah Ann, labourer) at Depden.
Julia Challis (1897 – 1897), baptised 6 June 1897 at Depden (Sarah Ann, labourer). She was buried at Depden 24 September 1897 aged 7 months.
Lilly Challis, born about 1900.
William Challis, born about 1850 at Depden.
In 1861 he was at home with his parents aged 10 and born at Depden.
Sarah Challis, baptised 22 October 1854 (Thomas and Mary Challice, labourer) at Depden.
In 1861 she was at home with her parents aged 7 and born at Depden.
In 1881, living with her father at Depden, she was unmarried, a housekeeper aged 23, born at Depden.
David Challis (1856 - 1858),
baptised 27 July 1856 (Thomas and Mary Challis, labourer) at Depden. He was buried in May 1858 aged 2 at
Depden.
Walter Challis (1859 – 1939), born c. 1859 at Depden and baptised 12 June 1859 (Thomas and Mary Challice, labourer) at Depden.
In 1861 he was at home with his parents aged 1 and born at Depden.
He married Mary Anne Pearson (X) (aged 20, a spinster and labourer of Wickhambrook, daughter of John Pearson, labourer) at Depden (banns) on 6 December 1879. Walter (X) was 21, a bachelor and labourer of Depden, the son of Thomas, a labourer. The witnesses were Thomas Pearson (X) and Jacob Pearson (X).
In the 1881 census of The Green, Depden, Walter was 22, an agricultural labourer born at Depden. His wife, Mary A. was 22, born at Wickhambrook and his daughter, Lizze, was 11 months old and born at Depden.
In 1891 at Great Green Cottage, in 2 rooms, at Depden, Walter was aged 32, an agricultural labourer and born at Depden. Mary Ann was aged 33 and born at Wickhambrook. Their children were Lizzie aged 11, Maude aged 9, Mary Ann aged 7, Louisa aged 5, Alice aged 3 and Walter aged 3 months, all born at Depden.
Walter and Mary Ann were buried at Depden. Their headstone reads “In loving memory of Mary Ann Challis who died 15 Feb 1937 aged 79 years. Also of Walter her husband who died 8 March 1939 aged 80 years”.
Walter and Mary Ann’s children were:
Lizzie Challis, born c. May
1880 at Depden and baptised 15 August 1880 at Depden (labourer).
Maud, Challis, baptised 9
April 1882 at Depden (labourer).
Mary Ann Challis, baptised 16 March 1884 at Depden (labourer).
Alice Challis, baptised 16
February 1887 at Depden (Walter Charles
and Mary Ann, labourer).
Louisa Challis, baptised 16 December 1888 at Depden (labourer).
Walter Challis (1881 – 1917), born about January 1881 and baptised 16 August 1891 at
Depden (labourer). He joined the
Middlesex Regiment (D company 1st/7th battalion, private
TF/202268). He died 3 May 1917 in
France and is commemorated on the Arrass memorial,
bay 7. He was aged 26 and a son of
Walter and Mary Ann Challis of The Green, Depden.
Charlotte Challis, baptised 17 June 1894 at Depden (labourer).
George Challis, baptised 12 July 1896 at Depden (labourer).
Charles Challis, baptised 11 December 1897 (copying mistake?) or 1898 at
Depden (labourer).
Eliza Challis, baptised May 1862 (Thomas and Mary Challice, labourer) at Depden.
Posted
December 2016