Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

CHARLOTTE EAST: 1851 -1922 Charlotte was born in the third quarter of 1851 in Bellingdon, near Chesham. Her parents were Matthew and Elizabeth Puddephatt. The 1851 census, taken shortly before Charlotte’s birth notes her father’s occupation as that of “dealer,” although we are not told the goods or commodities he dealt in. In 1841 his occupation had been noted as farmer. Her mother, like many poorer women in the area at this time, particularly in the rural areas, was a straw plaiter. Charlotte had one older sister, Emma, who had been born in 1849. Following Charlotte’s birth, her mother went on to give birth to six  more children; Walter, born in 1854, Albion, born 1856, Ruth, born in 1859; Fred who was born in 1861; Bertha 1865 and finally Ernest born in 1868. The 1861 and 1871 censuses tell us that the family remained living in Bellingdon, but Charlotte’s father was no longer working as a dealer. He had returned to his earlier occupation of farmer, albeit on a small scale, being described in 1861 as “Farmer, 2 acres.” In 1871 Charlotte, by then 19 years old, was working as a dressmaker.  On the date that the census was taken she was recorded as a visitor at the home in Chesham High Street of Sophia Price, a widow, and her two brothers Charles and Alfred Smith. A year later in 1872 Charlotte married Adnall East. Adnall, a wood turner, also came from Chesham and the marriage was registered in Amersham. Adnall and Charlotte moved to Stepney in London. Charlotte gave birth to the couples’ first child, Ernest in 1874 and his birth was recorded as taking place in Stepney. Unfortunately, Ernest was to die in 1876 at the age of 2. Their second child, Arthur was born in 1877. He too was born in Stepney. Charlotte and Adnall didn’t remain in London. We know that Charlotte’s third child, a son, who they also named Ernest, was born in Berkhamsted in 1880. The 1881 census tells us that Charlotte and Adnall were living in Charles Street, Berkhamsted. Adnall’s younger brother Charles was living with them. He was 24 years old and a general labourer. Also living in the house was a lodger, Catherine Holt, who was 23 years old and described as a “late shopkeeper” and her two children, Edith and Ethel. Charlotte was 29 years old in 1881. No occupation is noted against her name; presumably she had given up her work as a dressmaker to keep home. Charlotte went on to have three more children. Rosa was born in 1882. In 1885 Charlotte gave birth to another daughter, Winifred, but she, like the first-born Ernest, also died at the age of 2. The couples’ youngest child, a daughter, who they also named Winifred was born in 1888. The census of 1911 included amongst the information noted, the number of children that a woman had given birth to, how many were living in 1911 and how many had died. The 1911 census confirmed that Charlotte had given birth to six children, two of whom had died. By 1901 the family had moved and were living at 10 Park Street. Both Arthur and Ernest had left home. Both were working as grocers, Arthur in Southampton and Ernest in Surrey. Rosa at 18 years of age was working as a coat maker and Winfred was still at school. In 1911 Adnall and Charlotte and their two daughters, Rosa and Winifred were still at Park Street. Rosa, 28 was still making coats and Winifred, then 18 was working as coat finisher. It is likely that Rosa and Winifred worked in the Bulbourne Mantle factory. Charlotte died on the 9th April 1922 at the age of 70. She was buried in Rectory Lane Cemetery. Adnall survived her by only by three years and on his death, he was buried with Charlotte.