Category Archives: Fuller

Researching the family history – Be careful what you go looking for!

Old opera glasses / binosI dressed up like a pirate recently, as part of the costume I wore my grandads old binos. A guy told me they were opera glasses. I laughed at him because there’s no way my grandad was into opera. So I googled them, and he’s right. I found similar looking pairs online from the early 1900’s. So I wonder if they belonged to his grandfather. Henry Thomas Fuller. My dad remembers these binos from when he was a kid so my grandad must have had them a while.

Thing is, after doing the family history research, I can’t help but wonder if these opera glasses were part of the ‘theatrical items’ stolen by Henry Thomas Fuller in 1906? I hope not! …but it’d be quite fitting for a pirate to be wearing swag round their neck! Perhaps I should be careful what I go looking for!

Thomas Fuller and Mary Ann Overton

Thomas Fuller was born 3rd Sept 1795 to Robert Fuller and Jane Ann Bachell and baptised 4th Oct 1795 at St John’s, Margate.

Thomas was a Mariner in the Merchant Navy and first went to sea as an apprentice in 1811. His Merchant Seaman Record gives the following info:
No of: 76052.
Register Ticket: 50.
Age when Ticketed: 49.
Name: Thomas Fuller,
Born at: Margate, County of Kent, 4th day of Sept 1795.
Capacity: Seaman.
Height: 5ft 4 3/4 inches.
Hair: Dk Brown.
Eyes: Dark Brown.
Complexion: Dark.
Marks: Not any.
First went to sea as: Apprentice.
In the Year: 1811.
Can Write: Yes.
Has served in the Royal Navy: No.
Has been in Foreign Service: No.
When unemployed, resides at: Margate.
Issued at: Ramsgate, 21st day of Dec 1844.

On the 27th Nov 1819, Thomas married Mary Ann Overton at St John the Baptist Church in Margate.

On the marriage record; Thomas is noted as a batchelor and Mary Ann as a spinster. They were married by banns, Thomas signed his name and Mary signed by her mark. The marriage witnesses were:
Stephen Cook and Richard Mummery. I think Richard Mummery must have been a Parish Clerk as his name appears a lot in the records as a marriage witness.

Mary Ann Overton was born in Hoo nr Chatham, Kent c1797. Mary was baptised on the 3rd Sept 1797 at Saint Werburgh, Hoo, Kent and her parents were given as Charles Overton and Mary.

Thomas and Mary had the following children:

  1. Elizabeth Ann Fuller, born c1820, Margate, Kent, bp 2nd July 1820, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’
  2. Charles Francis Fuller, born 9th Sept 1822, Margate, Kent, bp 13th Oct 1822, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’ He died 6th Jan 1857.
  3. Thomas Fuller, born 21st Dec 1824, Margate bp 30th Jan 1825, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’
  4. Richard Robert Fuller, born c1827, Margate, bp 11th Feb 1827, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’
  5. James William Fuller, born c1829, Margate, bp 2nd Nov 1829, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’
  6. Robert William Fuller, born c1832, Margate, bp 26th Feb 1832, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’ he died 1847, Margate.
  7. William Francis Fuller, born c1834, Margate, bp 23rd Nov 1834,
  8. George Fuller, born 7th Jan, 1842, Margate, bp 25th Sept 1842, father’s profession given as ‘Mariner’

Around 1835-1836 Thomas Fuller’s Merchant Navy record gives the following info:
Source: www.findmypast.com
First name(s):    THOMAS
Last name:    Fuller
Age:    40
Birth year:    1795
Birth place:    Margate
Birth county:    Kent
Place:    MARGATE
Date range:    1835-1836
Series:    BT120
Piece number:    2
Record set:    Merchant Navy Seamen
Category:    Education & work
Record collection:    Merchant navy & maritime
Collections from:    Great Britain
No: 6655
Quality: Mariner
Ship belonging to: Magnet of London

In 1841 the family was shown living at White Hart Court, Margate which was on the High St:
White Hart Court, Margate 1841 census

  1. Thomas Fuller, age 45, Mariner, born Kent.
  2. Mary Fuller, age 40, born Kent.
  3. Elizabeth Fuller, age 20, born Kent.
  4. Charles Fuller, age 15, born Kent
  5. Thomas Fuller, age 15, born Kent.
  6. Richard Fuller, age 14, born Kent.
  7. James Fuller, age 12, born Kent.
  8. Robert Fuller, age 9, born Kent.
  9. William Fuller, age 6, born Kent.

Thomas died in 1848 and was buried 1st Nov 1848 in St John’s, Margate.

Mary, now widowed continued to live at White Hart Court, the 1851 census gives the following info:

1 White Hart Court Margate 1851 census:
Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1629; Folio: 200; Page: 10; GSU roll: 193530.
1. Mary Fuller, Head, Widow, age 54, Charwoman, born Rochester, Kent.
2. Elizabeth Ann Fuller, Daughter, unmarried, age 30, Shoebinder, born Margate, Kent.
3. Richard Fuller, Son, unmarried, age 24, Porter, born Margate, Kent.
4. James Fuller, Son, unmarried, age 31, ‘?’ born Margate, Kent.
5. William Fuller, Son, unmarried, age 17, Baker, born Margate, Kent.
6. George Fuller, Son, age 9, Scholar, born Margate, Kent.

1 and 2 White Hart Court margate 1861 census:
Source Citation: Class: RG 9; Piece: 534; Folio: 62; Page: 3; GSU roll: 542656.

No 1 White Hart Court, Margate:
1. Mary Fuller, Head, Widow, age 65, Laundress, born Hoo – nr Chatham
2. John Fuller, Son, unmarried, age 30, Porter, born Margate, Kent

Mary’s son Richard lived next door with his family:
No 2 White Hart Court, Margate:

  1. Richard Fuller, Head, Married, age 33, Labourer,  born Margate, Kent
  2. Ann Fuller, Wife, age 29, born Margate, Kent
  3. Thomas Fuller, Son, age 5, Scholar, born Margate.
  4. Eliza Fuller, Daughter, age 3, Scholar, born Margate
  5. William Fuller, Son, age 8 months, born Margate

1 and 2 White Hart Court margate 1871 census:
Source Citation: Class: RG10; Piece: 991; Folio: 94; Page: 23; GSU roll: 838723.
1 White Hart Court:

  1. Mary Fuller, Head, Widow, age 74, Former Laundress, born Kent.
  2. George Fuller, Son, married, age 28, Upholsterer, born Margate, Kent.
  3. Eliza Fuller, Daughter-in-law, married, age 27,  born Romford, Essex.
  4. George Fuller, Grandson, age 7 months, born Margate, Kent.

2 White Hart Court:

  1. Richard Fuller, Head, married, age 44, Bath Chair Driver, born Margate, Kent.
  2. Ann Fuller, Wife, age 40, Laundress, born Margate, Kent.
  3. Thomas R Fuller, Son, age 15, Linen Drapers Porter, born Margate, Kent.
  4. Eliza Fuller, Daughter, age 14, Scholar, born Margate, Kent.
  5. William H Fuller, Son, age 10, Scholar, born Margate, Kent.
  6. George Fuller, Son, age 7, Scholar, born Margate, Kent.
  7. James Fuller, Son, age 5, Scholar, born Margate, Kent.
  8. Caroline Fuller, Daughter, age 2, born Margate, Kent.
  9. Charles H Fuller, Son, age 1 month, born Margate, Kent.

Mary Ann Fuller nee Overton died in 1877 and was buried in the  Parish of St John, Thanet age 82 years on the 3rd March 1877.

Links:
Research guide C13: The Merchant Navy: Tracing merchant seamen.
British Mercantile, Whaling and Fishing Records of the 19th & 20th Centuries by Len Barnett
.
Merchant Navy – Registers of Seamen/Service (Seamen)
Margate, Kent genealogy, local and family history resources

Charles Francis Fuller, Mariner from Margate and the Lugger the Victory

Charles Francis Fuller was born 9th Sept 1822 in Margate, Kent (according to his Merchant Seamans record). He was baptised in the Parish of St Johns, Margate 13th Oct 1822. His parents were given as Thomas and Mary Fuller of Margate and his fathers profession was listed as ‘Mariner’.

In 1841 the census shows the family at White Hart Court in Margate:
1. Thomas Fuller, age 45, Mariner
2. Mary Fuller, age 40
3. Elizabeth Fuller, age 20
4. Charles Fuller, age 15
5. Thomas Fuller, age 15
6. Richard Fuller, age 14
7. James Fuller, age 12
8. Robert Fuller, age 9
9. William Fuller, age 6

On October 22nd 1843 banns of Marriage were called at the Parish Church of Ash, Kent between “Charles Francis Fuller of this Parish, Bachelor and Mary Jane Spratt of this Parish, Spinster.”

I think Mary was from Ash and I found the following baptism in the Parish of Ash nr Sandwich, Kent:
June 7th 1818:  Mary Jane, daughter of John and Mary Spratt, Abode: Ash, Fathers Profession: Labourer.

Charles and Mary went on to have the following children:
1. Henry Thomas Fuller, born 1843, Ash, Kent.
2. Mary Jane Fuller, born 1847, Thanet, Kent.
3. Thomas Charles Fuller, born 1850, Medway, Kent. Died 1896, buried in the Parish of St John, Thanet, October 6th 1896, age 46 years, abode: Thanet Union.
4. John C Fuller, born Margate c1850-1854 (according to census records).
5. Thomas Robert Fuller, born Margate c1852.
6.  Robert J Fuller, born Margate c1852-1861 (I think 1856).
7. Charles Fuller, born Margate, c1857

In 1844 Charles Merchant Navy Record gave the following details:
No of 115,425
Charles Francis Fuller
Age in 1845: 23
Age when Ticketed: 22
Can write: Yes
Born at: Margate, Kent 9th Sept 1822
Height: 5ft 4
Complexion: Fair
Marks: Pock Marked
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Dark Blue
First went to sea as: a boy in the year 1834
Has served in the Royal Navy: No
Has been in Foreign Service: No
When unemployed resides at: Margate
Issued at: Ramsgate, 28th day of Dec 1844

(Date range 1845-1854, Series BT113, Piece number 58, Record set Merchant Navy Seamen, Category Education & work, Record collection Merchant navy & maritime, Collections from Great Britain.)

In the 1851 census the family were living at Princes Court, King St, Margate:
1. Chs Fns Fuller, Head, married, age 28, Mariner, born Margate, Kent.
2. Mary June Fuller, Wife, Married, age 28, Mariners Wife, born Ash, Kent. (NB I think her middle name was misspelled)
3. Henry Thoms Fuller, Son, age 7, Scholar, born Ash, Kent
4. Mary June Fuller, Daugh, age 4, at home, born Margate, Kent
5. Thomas Charles Fuller, Son, age 1, born Margate, Kent.
(1851 Census: HO 107/1629, Folio 359, Page 7, Parish of St John the Baptist, Margate, Kent.)

On the 6th January 1857 Charles was killed in the English Channel whilst on the Lugger the Victory, which went to save the American ship the Northern Belle. Nine men were lost when the Victory capsized:

From the Standard, Monday 12th Jan 1857:
The Victory Lugger, a well known boat to many Margate visitors, which was lost last Monday night, was worth from 300/. to 400/. The following is a list of the names of a portion of the crew: Issac Solly, aged 46; John Smith, aged 63; George Smith, aged 29 (father and son); William Emptage, aged 52; John Emptage, aged 29 (father and son); Charles Fuller, aged 34; Henry Paramor, aged 27; Frederick Batt, aged 22; Abraham Busbridge aged 35.

Subscriptions in aid of these poor men’s widows ad orphans are urgently solicited.

From the Kentish Gazette:
American ship ‘Northern Belle’ of 1,100 tons burthen, from New York, seen to be in eminent peril, and which afterwards stranded on the Foreness Rock, was caught in a fearful sea, and plunged down in an instant with all her crew. the suferers were:
John Smith, aged 63 years.
George Smith, aged 29
William Emptage, aged 52
John Emptage, aged 29
Issac Solly, aged 46
Abraham Bashbridge, aged 35
Charles Fuller, aged 34
Henry Paramor, aged 27
Frederick Batt, aged 22

“Such a calamity as this is not known to have occurred here before; may such never occur again. This tablet is also intended as a grateful tribute to the benevolence of persons, not only in this town and neighborhood, but in London and other distant places, who have so generously responded to the public appeal made in behalf of the widows and orphans, and have, by subscriptions, amounting to two thousand one hundred pounds, declared their sympathy with a class of men engaged in a most important but adventurous avocation. “Whoso is wise will ponder these things.”

Links:
The shipwreck of the Northern Belle and the loss of the Victory.
The Wrecking of the Northern Belle, an article by Mick Twyman published by the Margate Historical Society in December 2001.

A new plaque unveiled in tribute to the men who died on the Victory.
Article from the Isle of Thanet Gazette.
Dedication Service of the Victory Lugger Memorial Stone at Margate.
A letter regarding subscriptions to the widows and orphans affected by the sinking.
A Boatmans Tales, article about the sinking of the Northern Belle.
Newspaper article from The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 – 1864).
Margate, Kent genealogy and family history resources

 

Henry Thomas Fuller – General dealer or just a general rogue?

Henry Thomas Fuller was born in 1843 in Ash, Kent to Charles Francis Fuller and Mary Jane Spratt. His birth was registered in the Eastry registration district  (which Ash was a part of between 1837-1941.)

At the time of the 1851 census Henry lived in Princes Court, King St, Margate:

1. Chs Fns Fuller, Head, married, age 28, Mariner, born Margate, Kent.
2. Mary June Fuller, Wife, Married, age 28, Mariners Wife, born Ash, Kent. (NB I think her middle name was misspelled)
3. Henry Thoms Fuller, Son, age 7, Scholar, born Ash, Kent
4. Mary June Fuller, Daugh, age 4, at home, born Margate, Kent
5. Thomas Charles Fuller, Son, age 1, born Margate, Kent.
(1851 Census: HO 107/1629, Folio 359, Page 7, Parish of St John the Baptist, Margate, Kent.)

In 1853 when Henry was 14 he lost his father who died on the Lugger the Victory, which went to save the American ship the Northern Belle. This left Henry as the the eldest child of 7 siblings. See blog post.

The 1861 census lists Henry at Church St, Margate:

1. Jane Fuller, Widow, age 40, Laundress, born Margate, Kent.
2. Henry Fuller, Son, unmarried, age 18, Labourer, born Margate, Kent.
3. Mary Fuller, Daugh, unmarried, age 14, born Margate.
4. John Fuller, Son, age 9, born Margate.
5. Thomas Fuller, Son, age 9 born Margate.
6. Robert Fuller, Son, age 9, born Margate.
7. Charles Fuller, Son, age 4, born Margate.
(RG9, Piece: 534, Folio: 41, Page: 6, Parish of St Johns, Margate.)

In 1868 he married Elizabeth Ann Edwards in Thanet. I believe Elizabeth already had an illegitimate daughter called Sarah Jane Edwards born 1866 in Thanet and baptised 15.7.1866 at St John the Baptist Church, Margate.

Sarah Jane can be seen staying with Elizabeth’s sister Mary Christiana Edwards (who had then married and was known as ‘Christiana Batchelor’) in 1871. Sarah Jane Edwards was listed as her niece age 4.

Henry and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. William Henry Thomas Fuller, bp 3.3.1869 St John the Baptist Church, Margate, fathers profession: Labourer, abode: Margate; buried 9.3.1869 aged 2 1/2 months. NB The baptism was a private baptism which often meant the baptism of a person  (adult or infant) who might die before being able to attend the church for a public baptism.
  2. Sarah Ann Fuller, b. 25.6.1875  bp 3.10.1875 St John the Baptist Church, Margate.
  3. Elizabeth Maria Fuller, b. 21.11.1877 Thanet, bp. 4.11.1881 St John the Baptist Church. Margate, fathers profession: Labourer, abode: Victoria Rd, Margate (Elizabeth was baptised at same time as her sister Bertha).
  4. Bertha Agnes Fuller, b. 1881 Thanet, bp. 4.11.1881 St John the Baptist Church, Margate
  5. Frederick George Fuller b. 1887 Thanet. (staying with Christiana Batchelor in 1891- This child may or may not belong to Henry as he was in prison for 5 years from 1883)

    Christiana Batchelor, Sarah A Fuller and Frederick Fuller 1871 census, Margate

    (Click to expand)

I found the following in the Kentish Gazette 26 April 1870 referring to Henry and his mother Mary Jane Fuller (also known by her middle name):

Margate:
Assaulting a Constable-At the Borough Magistrates sitting on Wednesday; a widow named Jane Fuller was charged before George E Hannam; T Blackburn and J.B Flint Esqrs with assaulting Police Constable Chas. Harlow in the executing of his duty, on the 16th inst. Fined 10s and 8s 6d costs, or 14 days hard labour.

The son, Henry Fuller, had been brought up on the previous Monday on charges of being drunk and assaulting police constables Millgate and Harlow in the execution of their duty, and sentenced to 7 days for the first and 21 days for the 2nd offence.

So I guess his mother set an example then!

In 1871 Henry and Elizabeth Ann were living at 4 Journeymans Court, Church Alley, Margate. Source: Class: RG10; Piece: 991; Folio: 69; Page: 30; GSU roll: 838723:

  1. Jesse Fox (Head), Widower, age 74, Mariner, born Margate
  2. Henrietta Lewis (House keeper) Widow, age 63, Charwoman, born Margate
  3. Henry Fuller (Lodger) Married, age 27, General Labourer, born Ash nr Sandwich
  4. Elizabeth A Fuller, (Lodgers wife), married, age 26, Charwoman born Margate

April 7th 1880: Henry in trouble again!
Henry was tried in court before F.J Smith Esq, Recorder. The committing magistrate was R. Wood Esq. Margate:
Henry Fuller, age 38 Labourer, once before convicted of Felony and 5 times summarily convicted.
Offence: Obtaining by false pretences 17s. 6d. the money of John Francis Brown at St John the Baptist on March 1st 1880.
Verdict: Guilty of obtaining money by false pretenses.
Sentence of the court: 3 calendar months hard labour HM Prison Canterbury.
Degree of Instruction: N (cannot read or write).
Date of warrant: 1880 March 2nd; Received into custody March 3rd 1880.
Tried April 7th 1880.
Particulars of previous convictions charged in the indictment and proved in court:
Margate;

Dec 28th 1872 stealing 10s. (C.J.A) 3 months
Source: A Calendar Of Prisoners Tried At The General Quarter Sessions Of The Peace Series: HO140; Piece number: 50; Record set: Crime, Prisons & Punishment; Category: Institutions & organisations; Record collection: Prison registers; Collections from Great Britain.

Census 1881: 37 Victoria Rd, Margate, Kent:

  1. Henry Fuller (Head) married, age 38, General Labourer, born Ash, Kent
  2. Elizabeth Fuller (Wife) age 37, born Margate, Kent
  3. Sarah A Fuller (Daughter) age 5, born Margate, Kent
  4. Elizabeth Fuller (Daughter) age 3, born Margate, Kent

22nd Oct 1888: Henry can’t keep out of mischief….
Tried before the Recorder. The committing magistrate: HF Hermitage Esq,  Margate:
Henry Fuller age 46, Labourer.
Offence: Stealing a silver watch and chain and other articles value: 2. 8s. the property of Sarah Jane Edwards at Saint John the Baptist Margate. (N.B Sarah Jane Edwards being his step-daughter! Or perhaps his illegitimate child.)
Verdict: Guilty
Sentence: 6 Calender months: HM Prison Canterbury.
Degree of Instruction: N (Cannot read or write.)
2nd August 1888 (Date of warrant and received into custody.)
Tried 22nd Oct 1888 found guilty of Larceny after a previous conviction.
Previous:
28 days; 19th April 1870 (drunk and assaulting police) Margate.
7 days 8th Feb 1872 (unlawfully depositing soil) Margate. (NB I wonder if soil meant garden soil or perhaps human soil?!)
3 calender months 31st December 1872 (stealing 10s.) Margate.
21 days 4th Oct 1876 (assault) Margate.
1 month 30th Oct 1879 (want of Sureties) Margate.
3 calender Months 7th Apri; 1880 (obtaining 7s. 6d. by false pretences) Margate sessions.
5 years Penal servitude 4th April 1883 (House breaking) Margate Sessions.
Source: A Calendar Of Prisoners Tried At The General Quarter Sessions Of The Peace, Series: HO140, Piece number: 104, Record set: Crime, Prisons & Punishment, Category: Institutions & organisations, Record collection: Prison registers, Collections from Great Britain.

Margate, 1891 census, 2 Sollys Cottages, Margate, Kent. Source: Class: RG12; Piece: 727; Folio: 78; Page: 11; GSU Roll: 6095837:

  1. Henry Fuller (Head) married, age 46, General Labourer (employed), born Margate, Kent
  2. Elizabeth Fuller (Wife), age 42, Charwoman, born Margate, Kent
  3. Elizabeth Fuller (Daughter) age 13, Scholar, born Margate, Kent
  4. Bertha Fuller (Daughter) age 7, scholar, born Margate, Kent

In 1897 his daughter Sarah Ann Fuller married and gave her fathers profession as ‘General Dealer’ A euphemism perhaps?! Her husband’s fathers profession was given as ‘horse dealer’

Sarah Ann Fuller and George Harris marriage cert 1897 Margate

(Click to expand)

Jan 5th 1904: Henry still up to mischief age 66:
Tried before A.J.Tassell, and others. Committing Magistrate: H.B. Hammond, Esq, Ramsgate.
Henry Fuller, age 66, labourer.
Offence as charged in the Indictment: Feloniously stealing one sheet and four waistbands, together value 4s., the goods of the Guardians of the Poor of the Isle of Thanet Union, on the 5th December 1903, at Minster, Thanet.
Jury’s verdict: Guilty.
Sentence or Order of the Court: Three months hard labour.
When tried: Jan 5th 1904.
Degree of Instruction: Imp (can read and write imperfectly) .
Date of Warrant: 8th Dec 1903.
When received into custody: 8th Dec 1903.
Particulars of previous convictions charged in the Indictment and proved in court:
Borough of Margate Petty Sessions, 31st March, 1896, two months hard labour. 

Previous:
3 months hard labour, Margate Petty Sessions, 28th December, 1872 (stealing money).
3 Month hard labour, Margate Quarter Sessions, 7th April, 1880, (obtaining money by false pretences).
5 years penal servitude, Margate Quarter Sessions, 4th April, 1883 (house breaking).
6 calendar months hard labour, Margate Petty Sessions, 22nd Oct, 1888 (stealing a watch and chain).
1 Month hard labour, Margate Petty Sessions, 9th December, 1800 (stealing a coat).
1 Day, Margate Petty Sessions, 11th March 1906 (Stealing theatrical articles).
2 Months hard labour, Margate Petty Sessions, 31st March 1896 (stealing a meat safe).
And 15 summary convictions for drunk and disorderly, assault, using obscene language and threats.
Source:  Henry Fuller Age 66,  Labourer, Birth year: 1838, Year: 1904 5th Jan, Place: Kent Court St Augustine’s. A Calendar Of Prisoners Tried At The General Quarter Sessions Of The Peace Series: HO140 Piece number: 232, Record set: Crime, Prisons & Punishment Category: Institutions & organisations Record collection: Prison registers Collections from Great Britain.

1901 census for Henry Fuller and Elizabeth (both in the Workhouse at Minster.)

Ash, Kent genealogy and family history resources
Margate, Kent genealogy and family history resources
Life in Kent Gaols before 1877
The Session House and Gaol, Canterbury