Charles Thomas Willes (1862 – 1918)

                                    Mary Louisa Willes (1861 – 1924)

Charles Thomas Willes was born in 1862 (probably 20 May 1862) in Marylebone the son of Frederick and Ann, nee Back, Willes. He was recorded with his parents along with brothers Frederick aged 23, John aged 21 and William aged 15 at 39 Carlisle Street in Marylebone in the 1871 census, Frederick senior was an office messenger. No trace of Charles in the 1881 census.

Mary Louisa Minton was born in Plumstead in 1861 the daughter of Edward and Mary, nee Pugh, Minton. In the 1871 census Mary was living with her parents, brother Ernest aged 8 and sister Hannah aged 5 in Frederick Place in Plumstead. Edward was recorded as a bootmaker. Ten years later in the 1881 census Mary was still living with her parents in Plumstead, at 13 Durrage Grove, along with four siblings and she was recorded as an unemployed servant.

Charles and Mary married on 15 September 1885 at St James in Plumstead. Charles was recorded as a letter sorter for the Post Office. They were both living in Bloomfield Road in Plumstead, Charles at 84 and Mary at 45.

In the 1891 census Charles and Mary with daughter Sophia aged 4 were living at 11 Lothrop Street in Chelsea and Charles was a sorter for the Post Office.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Charles and Mary were living at 30 Bathurst Gardens in Willesden with children Sophia aged 14, Edith aged 13 and Charles aged 10 with Charles now an overseer at the Post Office.

Charles and Mary were still living at 30 Bathurst Gardens in the 1911 census with children Edith aged 23, Charles aged 20, Arnold aged 17 and Gerald aged 8 with Charles senior now an assistant superintendent at the Post Office. Edith was a milliner and Charles junior a butcher’s assistant.

Charles died on 18 September 1918 aged 56 while living at 153 Bartholomew Street in Newbury and was buried on 23 September 1918 at Newtown Road Cemetery. He left a will and probate was granted on 23 November 1918 at Oxford to Mary his widow and William Willes, a laundry proprietor. The value of the estate was £1,175 2s 7d.

Mary was recorded at 153 Bartholomew Street in the 1920 electoral registers. In 1921 and 1922 she was listed at 14 Kings Road in St Leonards with daughters Sophia Mary and Edith Winifred. The following year 1923 she was at 52 Caves Road in St Leonard with daughter Sophia.

Mary died 26 July 1924 aged 62 in Bexhill while living at 6 Sea Road and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 30 July 1924. She did not leave a will but administration of her estate was granted on 25 November 1924 at Lewes to her daughter Sophia Mary. The value of the estate was £846 6s 9d. An obituary appeared in the Bexhill on Sea Observer dated 9 August 1924, the initial part as below.

The trading community in the vicinity of Sea Road suffered a loss on Saturday by the death of Mrs. Mary Louisa Willes, ladies outfitter, of 6, Sea Road. Mrs. Willes who was the widow of Mr. Charles Thomas Willes, who predeceased her by six years, was 63 years of age. She was in business in Newbury, Berks, until five years ago, when she found it necessary to come to the South Coast for the benefit of her health. She took up her residence at St Leonards, and about four years ago opened her business in Sea Road. She has been ill for the last six months, and the business was managed by her daughter, Miss S. M. Willes. Mrs. Willes was a member of the Bexhill Dapery and Textile Association.

Author: Gerald Soper
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