Part of the Earley family tree
Family background and early life
Ellen Osman was born in Mottisfont, Hampshire on 10 August 1842, the third child (of seven) born to Charles Osman (1809–1878) and his wife, Ann née Reeves (1813–1892). On the birth certificate, her father’s occupation is recorded as “carrier”. Ellen was baptised at St Andrew’s Church in Mottisfont on 18 September 1842. Baptised alongside her was 5-year old Emma, described as the “illegitimate daughter of Martha Osman” (Charles Osman’s youngest sister).
At the 1851 census, Ellen was living with her parents and five siblings in Mottisfont. The family’s address was recorded as “near the church”. Charles’s occupation was recorded as “dealer in wood”, while 8-year old Ellen and three siblings were shown as “scholars”.
Ellen cannot be traced on the 1861 census. Although only 18, she was no longer living with her parents, and was probably now “in service”, possibly in London.
First marriage and child
On 8 February 1868, aged 25, she married Charles Pembroke (c.1835–1870), a porter, at St John the Evangelist Church in Westminster, London. On the marriage register, both of the couple were living at 55 Tufton Street in Westminster.
Sadly, after only 2½ years of marriage, Charles Pembroke died at Mottisfont on 23 July 1870, aged 37, (from heart disease and aortic regurgitation) when Ellen was about two months pregnant. Her daughter, Annie Emily Pembroke, was born in Lambeth on 21 February 1871.
At the 1871 census, Ellen was living at 133 Buckingham Palace Road, London where she was employed by César Louis Marie Lamarre, a French wine merchant, and his wife Annie, as a wet nurse to their infant son, also César. Meanwhile, baby Annie was living with friends, Henry (a blacksmith) and Sarah Carter and their four young children, including 12-month old Florence, at Church Road, Mottisfont.
Second marriage
On Christmas Day 1873, Ellen (now 30) re-married to 40-year old Alfred John Southwell, a carpenter, at the Ebenezer Chapel at Lockerley. Alfred’s first wife, Sarah Ann (née Rogers) had died in 1870, leaving Alfred with three children under 7.
Following their marriage, the couple settled initially at Farley, near Salisbury, where their four children were born:
Harry Edward Southwell, born 18 January 1875
Alfred Tom Southwell, born 4 March 1877
Martha Mary Southwell, born 30 August 1879
Ellen Keturah Southwell, born 6 January 1887
At the 1881 census, Alfred and Ellen, with 10-year old Annie Pembroke and their three eldest children were living in Farley village, where Alfred was working as a carpenter. Alfred’s two oldest children from his first marriage were now working and living away from the family home; his third child, William, was living with an aunt.
Ten years later, in 1891, the family were at West Grimstead, Alfred (a 58-year old carpenter) and 48-year old Ellen, with their youngest three children. 14-year old Alfred Tom was now working as a shepherd.
In 1901, Alfred and Ellen, remained at West Grimstead, where they were living with their youngest child, 14-year old Ellen Keturah. Alfred’s occupation was now recorded as “Carpenter (employer)”.
At the 1911 census, Alfred and Ellen were now living alone, still at West Grimstead, where 78-year old Alfred gave his occupation as “Old age pensioner, retired carpenter)”.
Ellen Southwell died, aged 73, at home at West Grimstead on 31 January 1916. The cause of death was recorded as “Arterio Sclerosis & Gangrene of the legs”. She was buried on 31 January at St John’s Church, West Grimstead.