Part of the Earley family tree
Family background
Elizabeth Halliday was born at Heytesbury, near Warminster, Wiltshire probably in early 1814. She was the third child (of six) of Giles Halliday (1785–1875) and his wife Rebecca, née Dicks (1788–1871). She was baptised at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Heytesbury on 6 February 1814. On the baptism register, her father’s occupation is recorded as shoemaker, but by the time of her marriage he was the gate keeper on the turnpike at Timsbury, near Romsey.
Little more is known about her early life until her marriage.
Marriage and children
On Christmas Day, 25 December 1837, 23-year old Rebecca married John Earley at St Mary the Virgin church, Fordingbridge in Hampshire. On the marriage register, John is described as a “minor” (under 21); both John and Rebecca are recorded as resident at Sandhill Heath (now Sandleheath). At the time of the marriage, John was an agricultural labourer, but within three years, he had taken on the role of turnpike gatekeeper at Sandhill Gate
The couple’ s first child, Edward William was born at Sandhill Gate on 18 September 1838 and baptised at Fordingbridge on 12 October 1838. He was followed two years later by William Henry, who was born at Sandhill Gate on 4 December 184 and baptised at Fordingbridge on 25 December 1840.
At the first national census in June 1841, Elizabeth and John were living at Sandhill Heath turnpike gate with their two young sons. Elizabeth’ s age was recorded as 25, while John was recorded as aged 20.
Four further children were born over the next ten years:
Charles John, born at Sandhill Gate on 6 February 1842, baptised at Fordingbridge on 15 May 1842
Emily Eliza, born at Picket Post on 23 June 1844, baptised at Fordingbridge on 19 July 1844
Elizabeth Jane, born at Sandhill Heath on 4 February 1847, baptised at Fordingbridge on 7 March 1847
George Stephen, born at Sandhill Heath on 20 July 1849, baptised at Fordingbridge on 23 September 1849
At the 1851 census, Elizabeth was living at Picket Post turnpike gate, near Ringwood, with her five youngest children. Her occupation was recorded as gatekeeper’ s wife, although John was back at Sandhill Heath with his eldest son, Edward. John was living close to the turnpike gate, but was working as an agricultural labourer.
The couple had two further children:
James George, baptised at Church of St Peter and St Paul in Ringwood on 9 May 1852
Frank, baptised at Wimborne Minster on 25 May 1854
By the 1861 census, John had ceased working as a turnpike gatekeeper and was now employed as an agricultural labourer; the family were living at Longham Street near Hampreston in Dorset, four miles east of Wimborne. Living with their parents were William, Charles, Elizabeth, James and Frank. By now Edward had emigrated to Canada while Emily, aged 17, was working as a servant in the home of 75-year old Thomas Hewer, a retired merchant, and his family at Holdenhurst, about seven miles from the family home. George cannot be traced on the census, and had presumably died, although no record of his death has been located.
By 1871, Rebecca and John had moved to the Hangersley & Poulner Hill area, a mile east of Ringwood, where they remained for the rest of Elizabeth’s life. Living with them in 1871 were William Henry, James and Frank, none of whom ever married. John’ s occupation was now recorded as nurseryman, while the two younger sons were agricultural labourers. William was not working, and was described as a “cripple from birth”.
Ten years later, John was now a gardener; Frank was still with his parents and was employed as a labourer for the London & South Western Railway, while James was lodging in a beerhouse at Charlton Adam, near Yeovil, where he was working as a farm labourer.
Elizabeth died at Poulner on 15 January 1889, shortly before her 75th birthday. The cause of death was “morbus cordis“.