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John Mott and Ann Smith © The son of William Ruffell Mott and Mary (nee Johnson), John was born on the 6th March, 1824, most likely in his parents’ home in Southwark, Surrey, and he was baptized on the 30th May, 1824, at Christ Church, Southwark1. Records show that at the time of his baptism the family was living in Holland Street, Southwark, where his father was the Victualler of the 'Duke on Horseback’2. John's parents have been located on the 1841 Census3, but while there are a few possible records on this Census for John Mott, none have been positively identified as my John. However, the most likely is that of a John Mott, age 15, an Apprentice to Nathaniel Rogers, a Brewster, in Edward Street, Bethnal Green3. Edward Street is less than 9km from Holland Street where his parents live and it is highly likely Nathanial is an associate of his father. The 1851Census3 indicates John was a visitor in the house of a Thomas Edwards and his family in Tottenham Court Road, St Pancras. Thomas was a Licensed Victualler born in Cambridge, his wife Martha (nee Smith - possibly related to Ann) born in Surrey. On this record John is recorded as an unmarried 37year old Licensed Victualler born in Surrey. John married Ann Smith, after Banns, in the St John’s Church, in the District Parish of St John’s, Waterloo, Surrey, on the 27th April, 18514. Both are recorded as of Full Age, John a Bachelor signed his name, while Ann, a Spinster made her mark. John gave his occupation as a Bookbinder, there is no occupation recorded for Ann. Both give their residence at the time of their marriage as Roupell Street. The witnesses were W. Halladay and Jane Halladay. John's father is recorded as William Ruffell Mott a Victualler, and Ann's father is given as William Smith, a Postilion. A Postilion is a person who rides left of, leads, or drives a horse drawn a carriage. Based on other records held, it is believed Ann was born around 1830-1832 in London, and a probable baptism for her has been located in St Botolph, Aldgate, Middlesex, City of London. The daughter of William Smith, an Ostler, and Ann his wife, of 21 Somerset Street, the record indicates she was born on 9th September, 1830 and baptised as Mary Ann on the 3rd October, 18301. St Botolph's, is approximately 150 metres from Somerset Street. An Osler is a person who is employed to look after the horse of people staying at an Inn, this would probably have included the carriages etc. A possible family for Ann has been found on the 1841 Census living in Castle Street Finsbury, Clerkenwell. Castle Street is in the same area about 400metres north of Somerset Street. The family at this time is recorded as William Smith, 35, a Smith Journeyman; Ann, 35, both recorded as not born in the County; Ann, 11, and Caroline, 5, both born in the County. There are numerous Ann Smiths on the 1851 census in London, however one located is a definite probability. An Ann Smith, age 21, born in Marylebone, a servant in Evershot Street, St Pancras, Marylebone, Middlesex3. Less than 400meters away, in Tottenham Court Road, St Pancreas, Marylebone, Middlesex we find John Mott, another clue is that there is a Berners Lane and a Tavern in the same area and a later census3 gives Ann's place of birth as Berners Street! John and Ann’s marriage record raises a baffling question. The 1851 Census was taken just three weeks before John and Ann’s marriage, yet on the marriage record both John and Ann state their residence as Roupell Street, but no record can be found which links either of them to anyone at this address. However, Roupell Street is just a short distance from where his parents live, and St John’s Church is just around the corner, which leads us to think that maybe they gave this as their address so they could marry in this particulate church? Maybe one day we will discover some clues. Searches of records and Oral Family History, suggest that John and Ann had four children: John Henry 1852, he married Mary Elizabeth Cook 1874; William Ruffell 1853-1924; Ann Mary Johnson 1855-1923; and Jane Margaret 1856-1923. At the time of their son John Henry's birth in 1852, John and Ann were living at 22 Bear Lane, Christchurch, Surrey, which is a couple of hundred metres from both Roupell Street and also only a short distance from Hopton Road where his parents lived. John Henry's birth certificate gives his father's occupation as a Porter in 1852. As no record has yet been located to indicate that John actually became a Licensed Victualler, or that he lost the said licence if he ever earned it, one has to wonder why John appears to have changed occupation from Victualler to Porter. It looks as if John and Ann moved around a bit as their son William Ruffell's baptism gives their address as Thomas Place Southwark, John's occupation as Painter. Thomas Place was north of the River in the Parish of St Luke and is now known as Baltic Street. At the time of their daughters' baptisms (1855 & 1856)they were living in Harland Road and John’s occupation a Waiter (1855) and Porter (1856). Harland Road is on the southern side of the River, approximately 14km south of Thomas Place. John and Ann are listed on the 1861 Census3 as living in Violet Hill, Marylebone, London, with their children: John Henry, age 9; William Ruffell, age 7; Ann Mary Johnson, age 6; and Jane Margaret, age 5. Now 37years old, John's occupation is given as Waiter, Ann’s age is recorded as 31, with no occupation given. John gives his place of birth as Middlesex, London, as does Ann. Violet Hill is on the north side of the Thames and approximately 13km north of Harland Street, but closer to the area where Ann & John worked before their marriage. By 1871 John and Ann had again moved and are listed as living in Goldsmiths Place, St John, Hampstead, London3, just over a kilometre away. On this record, John gives his occupation as Painter, and his birthplace as Christchurch, Surrey. Ann is recorded as a Laundress, her birthplace as London, Berner Street. Still living at home were sons: John Henry, a Coachman; and William Ruffell, a Solicitors Clerk. It appears daughters Ann and Jane were working in the area as Domestic Servants. Goldsmith Place is just a few streets north of Violet Hill. Ann died on the 1st January, 1872, at 5 Goldsmith Place, Kilburn, Middlesex. She was 40years old and cause of death was recorded as Disease of Liver and Kidneys, Excessive drinking for 1week. Her husband John Mott, a Painter, registered her death on the 3rd January5. It is not known where Ann was buried. Records indicate that on the 3rd March, 1877, in the Church of St Mary, Kilburn, John married Robina Nicholson4. The marriage record states John was a 52year old Widower, of 5 Goldsmith Place, occupation Decorator, father William Ruffell Mott, Publican. Robina was a 33year old Spinster, of 7 Osborne Terrace, no occupation is listed, and her father was Thomas Nicholson, a Shoemaker. It is believed that John and Robina had a son: Magnus 1879-1967. It is mystifying why the records have differing occupations for John through the years. Was he unable to get, or keep, a Victuallers Licence? Did he make some mistakes that led to his downfall as a Victualler? Or were recordings of Porter in 1852 and Waiter in 1861 misunderstood and erroneously recorded, or was work just so hard to obtain? If he was a Painter / Decorator, how, when, and why, did John turn to House Decorating/Painting? Unfortunately, we shall probably never find the answers to these intriguing questions. On 2nd June, 1880, at the age of 56, John died in Willesden, Middlesex. His occupation was given as Painter, the cause of death was recorded as Epilepsy 2years and Apoplexy 5days. The death was registered by his son John Henry5. John was buried in the Paddington Old Cemetery, Neasden Lane, Willesden, Section C, Common Grave No. 324. A common grave indicates a Pauper's burial, there are five other people buried in this grave with John and no marker6. Recorded as Rolina, a 37year old widow, occupation Laundress, Robina is to be found on the 1881 Census3 living in Netherwood Street, St John Hampstead, London, with son Mangus age 1. The 1891 Census3, shows her living in Willesden, Middlesex, as a 48year old Domestic Servant, with her is 11year old son Mangus. The 1893 Electoral Role has her living at 35 Ravenshaw St, Hampstead, in the same house was a John George Berringer. Records indicate Robina married John George Barrenger in 1895. It appears John George died in 1897. Still at 35 Ravenshaw Street, at the time of the 1901 Census3, Robina, age 57, is again recorded as a Widow. Living with her at this time were: her son Mangus, age 21, a Solicitors Clerk; and her step-daughter Clara Alice Berringer, age 18, a Dressmaker, she also has four unrelated Lodgers. By 19113, Robina, age 67, living on Private Means was in Gascony Avenue, Hampstead, with her were step-daughter Clara Alice, a 28year old Dressmaker; adopted son Albert Edward Berringer, age 9; and Boarder John Henry King. It is believed Robina died in 1926, and was buried on the 6th December in the Hampstead Cemetery, Camden, London.
References: 2. Register of Calendar of the Recognizences 1815-1827. Researched by Patricia O'Neill England 3. UK Censuses via Ancestry.co.uk https://www.ancestry.co.uk 4. Marriage Certificate 5. Death Certificate 6. Grave Register of Willesden Old Cemetery Deceased Online https://www.deceasedonline.com/
Other Sources: FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/search/ Oral Family History |
