1881 Census
The 1881 census finds 65 year old butcher and farmer, Charles Stubbings, living with his wife Ann (also aged 65) and 29 year old son Charles (also a butcher) living in Town Green in Great Ellingham.
1885 Auction
Four years later, a notice appeared in the Norwich Mercury of 3 October 1885 for the sale by Charles Stebbings (Stubbings) at Auction of two cart horses, a wagon, two tumbrils, farming implements as well as dairy utensils, furniture and miscellaneous effects. The notice indicated that the Seller (Charles Stebbings) is giving up the farm.
Variations of the Name ‘Stubbings’
Not unusually, there are variations of the surname in the parish registers. For example, Stibbing, Stebbings, Stibbins. However for ease, I will use the surname ‘Stubbings’ whether or not the actual entry in a parish register has this spelling.
Charles Stubbings Baptised 1817
Charles Stubbings was baptised in Great Ellingham Parish Church on the 29th December, 1817. He was the son of Charles Stubbings, a butcher, and his wife Charlotte.
1851 Charles & Mary Stubbings
Prior to the 1851 census, Charles Stubbings (baptised 1817) had married Mary Ann.
The census reveals Charles and Mary Ann Stubbings living in Long Street, Great Ellingham with their children Charlotte aged 6, Mary Ann 3 and one year old Emma. Charles is a labourer.
Death of Mary & Remarriage of Charles
Mary Ann Stubbings aged 39 years was buried in the Churchyard at St James’ Church on February 18th, 1857.
By the time of the 1861 census, widower Charles had married Ann. Charles and his wife Ann with children Charlotte (16), Charles (9) and John (7) are in Long Street. Charles is now a butcher.
Moving on ten years to 1871, the census finds Charles and Ann with 19 year old son Charles still living in Great Ellingham. Charles (baptised 1817) is now described as a butcher and farmer of 13 acres.
As mentioned, the census of 1881 shows Charles and Ann with son Charles in Town Green. In addition to being a butcher, the census states that Charles was farming 15 acres and that he employed one man and one boy.
By 1885, Charles had decided to give up the farm – hence the Auction of his horses, farming implements, etc.
1891 Sale of Old Established Butcher’s Business by Albert Melton
The Eastern Daily Press of 11th September, 1891 contained a “For Sale” Notice of an ‘old established Butcher’s Business at Great Ellingham’. The Notice stated that there were “good reasons for giving up the same” and that applications should be made to ‘Melton, Great Ellingham.’
The 1891 census (taken in April of that year and five months prior to the Sale Notice in the Eastern Daily Press), shows 23 year old Albert Melton a single man described as the Head of the Household and a butcher living at 1 Long Street, Great Ellingham. Albert was also an employer.
Lodging with Albert Melton, is widower, 73 year old Charles Stubbings, his son 39 year old Charles with his wife Harriet and their 5 year old daughter Florence. Charles Stubbings and his son were both described as butchers and employed. I assume the two Charles Stubbings were employees of Albert Melton.
Death of Charles Stubbings (baptised 1817)
Widower Charles Stubbings’ wife Ann had died in 1890. A death was registered in the June Quarter of 1890 in the Wayland District for Ann Stubbings aged 75.
A death for a Charles Stubbings aged 78 was registered in the December Quarter of 1895.
1901 Charles Stubbings and Wife Harriet
As for Charles Stubbings’ son Charles and his wife Harriet, it appears that Charles may have purchased the butcher’s business (which may have previously been his father’s business) from Albert Melton.
The 1901 census shows Charles and Harriet Stubbings with their daughter Florence living in Long Street. Charles is described as a butcher working for himself from his home.
1911 Stubbings & Wilkins Family
Ten years on, the 1911 census finds Charles and Harriet Stubbings living with their daughter and son in law, Florence and Bertie Wilkins, at The Butchery, Great Ellingham.
Bertie and Florence Wilkins had completed one full year of marriage and they had one year old daughter, Evelyn Florence. The census also confirms that Charles and Harriett Stubbings had been married 24 years and that they had one child – their daughter Florence (now married to Bertie Wilkins).
Bertie Wilkins was a butcher, cycle dealer, farmer and postman. He was also an employer. Wife Florence assisted in her husband’s business. Bertie’s father in law, Charles Stubbings, was described as a general help and postman and was employed.
Sources:
https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=94724739:4321&d=bmd_1554843293 – accessed 05 Mary 2019
http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=PgHrTgmDfCPHYAHPW7ZZlw&scan=1 – accessed 05 May 2019
Great Ellingham Parish Registers Norfolk Record Office PD/609. Also available at FamilySearch.org https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=4J8C-CB7%3A29627201%3Fcc%3D1416598
1851 census HO107/1823/128
1861 census RG9/1237/92
1871 census RG10/1841/76
1881 census RG11/1974/80
1891 census RG12/1549/78
1901 census RG13/1867/70
1911 census RG14/11473/130
Norwich Mercury 3rd October 1885
Eastern Daily Press of 11th September 1891