George William Jessop

George William Jessop was the son of Wiliam and Zillah Jessop (née Smih). His father William was born in Woodford on 5 December 1871 (registered 1872 J/F/M West Ham Essex) 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 born in Gotham, Nottinghamshire, on 29 February 1872 (J/F/M Basford), the daughter of George and Charlotte Smith; she was baptised at Gotham St Lawrence on 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 household of Elizabeth Mary Smith and her two unmarried sisters Alice Maude and Constance H Ellen Smith, all of independent means, 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. 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 (A/M/J West Ham Essex). They had six children who were all born in Woodford; one died in infancy: George William b. 1897 (J/F/M West Ham), Charles James Ernest b. 1898 (O/N/D West Ham), Moira Queenie b. 21 March 1901 (A/M/J West Ham), Alice Zilla b. 8 June 1903 (J/A/S West Ham), Jean birth registered 1905 (J/F/M West Ham) d. 1905 (J/F/M West Ham) and Maisie Charlotte b. 25 July 1906 (J/A/S West Ham). In 1901 William (29), a farm labourer, and Zillah (29) were living at 3 Monkhams Lane, Woodford, with their first three children George (4), Charles (2) and Moira (under one year). Their fifth child, Jean (b. 1905) died in infancy. 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 (14), 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 unmarried son, John (36) 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 young son. Moira was described as William's niece. George's parents were still living at The Retreat, Horn Lane, Woodford, when he was killed in October 1915 and was still the family home when his brother Charles was killed on 21 March 1918, their 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 (O/N/D Waltham Forest Essex). The record of William's death has not yet been traced. Of George's three surviving siblings: Alice Zillah was living with her parents in Woodford Green in 1939; she was described as incapaciated. She died in 1984 (O/N/D West Ham). Moira Queenie married Albert H Jackson in 1927 (O/N/D West Ham). They may have had one child, Jean MC Jackson (b. 1931 A/M/J West Ham, mother's maiden name Jessop). In 1939 Moira, described as married, was a cashier (drapery) and living in the household of Charles W Cox, his sisters and others on Grove Road, Redbridge, Wanstead & Woodford. The record shows her later married name of Williams. Moira married Thomas J Williams in 1960 (J/F/M Epping Essex) and died in 1975 (J/F/M Sudbury Suffolk). Maisie Charlotte married Frank W Curtis in 1935 (J/A/S West Ham). In 1939 Frank (b. 14 October 1912), a private chauffeur/gardener, and Maisie were living on Forest Road, Loughton, Chigwell, Essex. Also in the home was their son Alan G. (b. 27 September 1938). The record of another occupant remains closed but may have been Margaret A Curtis (b. 1936 A/M/J Epping, Jessop) and there may have been another child, John E Curtis 1946 (J/A/S Epping, Jessop). Maisie died in 1976 (J/A/S Epping Forest Essex).