Information contained in these pages is intended for genealogical research only, and I ask that you respect the privacy of those mentioned.  Please acknowledge the source of any information used from these pages. 
A list of sources is included.

Robert Lambert and Martha Baker ©

It is not known just where Robert was born, or who his parents were, but it is estimated he was born around 1740, and possibly in Surrey or Middlesex. A couple of possible references to baptisms of Robert Lambert in 1740 & 1744 in Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, give parents as Robert (a Lighterman) & Alice his wife.  However, it is not

On the 20^th December, 1768, William and Martha Baker made application at the Vicar Generals Office, for a Licence to marry in the Parish Church in Wimbledon, Surrey¹.  Sworn before George Harris, William stated he was a Bachelor, 27years of age and his usual place of abode was the Parish of Wimbledon for the past four weeks, which may suggest he had only recently located there.  Martha gave her age as 21years and upwards, and stated she was a Spinster, also from the Parish of Wimbledon.  The marriage took place six days later on the 28^th December, in St Mary’s Wimbledon².  The ceremony was conducted by John Cooksey.  Both Robert and Martha made their mark, and the witnesses were Edward Terry and William Terry. 

Born around 1738, possibly in Middlesex, Martha’s baptism has not yet been found. 

We have no clear record of Robert’s occupation or movements, but parish records indicate he may have been a Painter, and that he and Martha settled in Wimbledon after their marriage.  Record also suggest they had seven children: Elizabeth 1769; Thomas 1772; William 1777; Robert 1784, he married Sarah Boreham 1811; James; and Henry 1789. 

Burial records of Wimbledon tell us that at the age of 73, Martha died in November, 1811, and she was buried in the Parish Churchyard on the 24^th November³.

Wimbledon Poor Law Records⁴ tell us that Robert, at the age of 80, entered the Wimbledon Workhouse on the 16^th October, 1813.  Wimbledon's Parish Workhouse was erected in 1752, and over the years a number of changes were made.  Many of the buildings still stand today and since 1920, have been part of the Kingston and District Hospital.

Workhouse records throughout 1813-1815 record Robert as ‘Ailing and Infirm’.  On the 6^th August, 1816, he is said to be ‘Aged, Infirm and Ill’.  However, by the 1^st October, the same year, the term ’Ill’ had been removed and he  was again recorded as ’Aged and Infirm’.  Robert remained in the Workhouse until 1820, when in May he was recorded as age 84 and ‘Infirm’, but on the 7^th July, still noted as ’Infirm’, he was discharged. 

However, just over a month later, on the 10^th August, he was again admitted to the Workhouse.  Seven months later, on the 11^th March, 1821, Robert died in the workhouse, and he was buried a week later in the Parish Churchyard on the 18^th March, 1821³.

References:

1. Marriage Allegation via Surrey Record Office

2. Parish Marriage Record via Surrey Record Office

3. Parish Burial Record via Ancestry.co.uk https://www.ancestry.co.uk

4. Wimbledon Workhouse Register via Surrey Record Office

Other Sources:

FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/search/

Parish of Wimbledon:  Poor Law Records ; Register of Burials in Consecrated Ground in Wimbledon Parochial Cemetery (1876-1901) ; St Mary, Wimbledon Parish Records via Surrey Record Office

Workhouse Kingston Surrey http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Kingston/

Please contact me for further information