Part of the Ingram-Green family tree (Great-grandfather)
Family background and early life
Joseph George Green was born on 15 August 1864 in Rainham, Essex. He was the only child of Joseph Henry Green (1834–1911) and his wife, Eliza née Skingley (1839–1916), to live into adulthood. He was baptised at The Church of St Helen and St Giles, Rainham on the day that he was born.
At the 1871 census, Joseph (an agricultural labourer) and Eliza were living in West Thurrock with 6-year old Joseph George (recorded as George) and his 2-year old brother, Lee.
By the next census, the family had left the land and were living at Crescent Road, North side, East Ham. Both Joseph, aged 17, and his father were employed as labourers at a gas works.
Marriage and children
On 20 December 1883, 19-year old Joseph married 18-year old Sarah Fisher at St John the Baptist’s Church, East Ham. She was the daughter of Matthew Fisher, a fishmonger.
Less than six months later, on 3 June 1884, the couple’s first son, Ernest George Green was born. Over the next 18 years, a further eleven children were born:
Matthew Henry born 18 August 1886
Joseph George born 3 January 1891
Leonard Richard born 1 February 1893
Dorothy Sarah born January 1895
Bertha Eliza born 22 April 1896
Evelyn Hannah born 18 March 1900
William Alfred born 30 August 1902
Four other children died as infants.
At the census in April 1891, George (now an engine driver at the large gas works at Beckton) and Sarah were living at Sidney Buildings, East Ham with their two youngest sons, Henry and George. Also living at the address were Sarah’s younger brother and sister, Henry (an oil & colourman) and Alice. 6-year old Ernest George was at the home of his grandparents, Joseph and Eliza Green.
Ten years later, the family (Joseph and Sarah with seven children) were now at 78 Napier Road, East Ham. 37-year old Joseph was still employed as an engine driver at the nearby gas works. 16-year old Ernest was now a pupil teacher and his 14-year old brother Matthew was a telegraph messenger for the GPO.
In March 1910, Joseph’s 15-year old daughter died.
By the census in the following year, the family had moved a mile to the east and were living at 20 St Awdry’s Road, Barking. By now, the two older sons had left home, leaving their five younger siblings with their parents. 20-year old Joseph was a telegraph operator and 18-year old Leonard was a trainee electrician.
Joseph’s wife Sarah died in April 1916, following which he re-married in April 1918 to Florence Blyth, a 38-year old widow with two sons. Florence (née Beasley) had been previously married to William Robert Blyth, an office clerk, who had died in 1908.
In 1921, Joseph and Florence were living at 32 Masterman Road, East Ham with Joseph’s son, William, now aged 18, who was employed as a teacher at Kensington Avenue Boys School. Also living with them were Florence’s two sons, William and Lawrence, aged 21 and 19 respectively, and 9-year old Albert Hall, an orphaned nephew. Joseph’s occupation was recorded as “Loco Driver” with the Gas Light & Coke Co, Beckton.
Built by Neilson & Co. in 1892, works No. 4408. Rebuilt Beckton 1929.
Death
On Tuesday 17 June 1930, by now retired, 65-year old Joseph was cycling on Eastern Avenue, Romford when he was hit by a car and knocked into the road and under the car. He was taken to Oldchurch Hospital, but died the following day from his injuries. The death certificate records the cause of death as “shock – the result of multiple injuries and fracture of the base of the skull due to an accidental collision between a cycle he was riding and a motor car”.
An inquest was held two days later by the Essex coroner, C. Edgar Lewis and a jury. A report of the inquest appeared in the Chelmsford Chronicle on 27 June.
CYCLIST KILLED AT ROMFORD
TRAGEDY OF FLYING PAPER
A pony frightened by a piece of paper blown in the air led to the death of Joseph George Green, aged 65, of Masterman Road, East Ham, while riding a bicycle at Romford. An inquest was held on Friday by Mr. Coroner C. E. Lewis and a jury.
Walter Peters, Mawney Road, Romford, said that about 8.45 he was waiting for a Southend ‘bus at the junction of Mawney Road with Eastern Avenue. Looking towards Southend, he saw a horse and trap approaching, and behind it was a motor car. The trap made a complete turn to its right as though to enter a motor garage yard, and the driver immediately turned the animal to the near side. The car swerved to its off side, and in mounting the pavement struck a cyclist who was going towards it. The deceased was thrown over his handlebars on to the radiator, and then fell under the car. — In reply to Mr. Armstrong Jones, who appeared for the driver of the car, witness said it was only by remarkable manipulation that the motorist steered round the trap.
James E. Penn, Marlborough Road, Romford, a chimney sweep, said he was driving a pony along Eastern Avenue, when a piece of paper was blown up, and it startled the pony, causing it to swerve. At that moment the car was nearly level with him. The motorist sounded his hooter and swerved to avoid him, and in doing so the car mounted the pavement.
Clement R. Welford, manufacturer, the Mount, Brook Street Hill, Brentwood, who was driving the car, said he swerved to avoid the pony and trap, and then saw the cyclist. He made an effort to turn still further out to avoid him, but was unable to do so. Witness was travelling at moderate speed.
A verdict of Accidental Death was returned, and the car driver was exonerated from blame.
Joseph was buried at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in East Ham on 23 June.
Subsequent family history
Joseph’s widow, Florence continued to live at 32 Masterman Road until her death in 1941.
Ernest George Green married May Caroline Joslin in 1907. The couple had five children before May died, aged 35, in August 1923. A schoolteacher, he progressed to be a headmaster, before his death in 1964, aged 80.
Matthew Henry Green also became a headmaster. He married Alice Copp in 1910. He appears to have had no children; he died in 1969.
Joseph George Green married Dorothy Suggers in 1918, and had four daughters. He was a printer and died in 1971.
Leonard Richard Green married Eleanor Bramley in 1921. It is not known if they had any children. In 1939, he was working at Beckton gasworks as an attendant in the power station. He died in 1978.
Bertha Elizabeth Green married William Dobson in 1921, and had one child. She died in 1983.
Evelyn Hannah Green married George Stevens in 1921. It is not known if they had any children. She died in 1997.
William Alfred Green married Dorothy Cleare in 1927. It is not known if they had any children. Like his two oldest brothers, he became a schoolteacher. He died in 1990.
Sources
Ancestry.co.uk:
1861 England Census
1871 England Census
1881 England Census
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1921 England Census
Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1918
Essex, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1994
Essex, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935
London, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1921
Chelmsford Chronicle:
20 June 1930. Fatal Accident at Romford. Cyclist Killed
27 June 1930. Cyclist Killed at Romford
London Daily News:
9 July 1930. 19 Fatality Payments in One Week
National-Preservation.com: Beckton Gas works locomotives
Townsend, Cyril Arthur (2003): A History of Beckton Products Works
West Ham & Essex Mail:
27 June 1930. Return thanks