Part of the Earley family tree (Grandmother)
Family background
Ellen Keturah Southwell was born at Farley, near Salisbury, on 6 January 1887. She was the youngest of five children born to Alfred John Southwell (1833–1918) and his second wife, Ellen née Osman (1842–1916).
At the 1891 census, four-year old Ellen was living with her parents at West Grimstead, where her father worked as a carpenter. Living at home with her were her brother 14-year old Alfred (a shepherd) and 11-year old sister Martha.
Ten years later, Ellen was still living with her parents at West Grimstead. A few doors away lived Charles (an agricultural labourer) and Martha Earley and their 22-year old son Tom, a groom.
As well as working as a carpenter, Alfred Southwell served as the village undertaker for the small number of funerals held at the parish church each year. In April 1908, Alfred was sued by the newly-appointed Rector of St John’s Church, West Grimstead, the Revd. G.D. Shenton, who claimed an increase in the fee of 5 shillings paid for burials in the churchyard to 9s 6d. Alfred was supported in his defence of the claim by several parishioners, including Tom Earley, described as the sexton. The case was found in favour of Alfred and shortly afterwards Revd. Shenton left the parish to take up a post in Colchester, to be replaced by Revd. John Hubert Wilkinson.
Ellen was baptised at St John’s Church, West Grimstead on 30 May 1909, when she was aged 22. The priest who conducted the baptism was Revd. John Wilkinson.
Marriage and children
On 6 October 1910, Tom and Ellen (now 32 and 23 respectively) were married at St John’s Church by Revd. Wilkinson. On the marriage certificate, Tom is described as a (traction) “engine driver”.
At the census on 2 April 1911, Tom and Ellen were living at West Grimstead, next door to Charles and Martha, with Ellen’s parents still living a few doors away. Tom and Ellen’s first son, Alfred John (always known as “John”) was born at West Grimstead a few days later, on 12 April 1911. John was baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Laverstock on 4 June 1911.
Tom and Ellen had five further children:
Henry Tom, born at Farley on 26 September 1912 (always known as “Tom”). Tom was baptised at St Rumbold’s Church, Cann, near Shaftesbury on 16 March 1913.
Arthur Edwin, born at Brickyard Lane, Yeovil on 22 November 1914. Arthur was baptised at West Grimstead on 18 April 1915. He died, aged 4, at Salisbury Infirmary on 29 November 1919 from acidosis.
Walter George, born at Nether Wallop on 20 February 1917 [No record of his baptism has been found]
Margaret Rose, born at Whiteparish on 26 January 1920. Margaret was baptised at All Saints Church, Whiteparish on 7 March 1920.
Eva Mary, born at West Grimstead in September 1923 (still living, aged 101) [No record of her baptism has been found]
At the 1921 census, Tom and Ellen, together with their four children, were living at Brickworth Road, Whiteparish. Tom, now 42 was employed at Brickworth Farm as a traction engine driver.
During the early years of their marriage, Tom and Ellen seem to have moved house frequently, living in various villages in Wiltshire and Hampshire, before settling in Downton, where they were living in September 1939. The couple were living at Church House, Downton. Tom, now 61, was working as the church sexton. Living with them was 59-year old Florence Cutts, a church worker.
Later in life, the couple lived at Hanging Langford, where Ellen died on 18 August 1962, aged 75.