Charles James Ernest Jessop

Charles James Ernest Jessop was the son of Wiliam and Zillah Jessop (née Smih). His father William was born in Woodford on 5 December 1871, the son of James and Emma Jessop. In 1891 his parents were living at Laurel Cottage, Woodford Green, with three of their children including William (19) who, like his father, was a gardener. His mother Zillah was the daughter of George and Charlotte Smith. She was born in Gotham on 29 February 1872 and baptised at Gotham St Lawrence 19 May 1872. In 1881 the famiy was living at Monks Lane, Gotham, but by 1891 Zillah was one of two scullery maids in the employ of Elizabeth Mary Smith and her two sisters at Wilford House, Ruddington. The household included a nurse domestic, cook/housekeeper, two ladies' maids, three housemaids, laundry maid, kitchen maid, two scullery maids, a footman and a groom and there were probably two other staff, a butler (domestic) and coachman, who lived in separate accommodation with their families. William, who was still living at Laurel Cottage, Woodford Green, married Zillah at Woodford Wells parish church on 27 June 1896. They had six children who were all born in Woodford; one died in infancy: George William birth registered 1897 (J/F/M), Charles James Ernest b. 1898, Moira Queenie b. 1901, Alice Zilla b. 1903, Jean birth registered 1905 (J/F/M) d. 1905 and Maisie Charlotte b. 1906. In 1901 William (29), a farm labourer, and Zillah (29) were living at 3 Monkhams Lane, Woodford, with their three children George (4), Charles (2) and Moira (under one year). By 1911 William, a painter (house building), and Zillah were living at The Retreat, Horn Lane, Woodford, with three of their five surviving children: George, who combined school with employment as a doctor's boy, Alice (7) and Maisie (2). Their two other children, Charles and Moira, were living in Gotham with relatives. Charles (named Ernest on the census), was at Savidge's Yard with his maternal grandparents George Smith (79), a parish clerk, and his wife Charlotte and their unmarried son John, a farm labourer. Moira was living at Bag Lane with William Smith (52), a plaster dresser, his wife Elizabeth and their only child Alice Hale, her husband and their young son. Moira was described as William's niece. William and Zillah were still living at The Retreat, Woodford, when their son George was killed in action on 11 October 1915 and it was still the family home when Charles was killed on 21 March 1918, his sister Moira's birthday. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled William and Zillah, described as incapacitated, were still living at The Retreat. Also in the household was their daughter Zillah (sic. Alice) who was also incapacitated. Charles' mother Zillah died in 1956. The record of his father William's death has not yet been traced.