Frost, William Henry (aka William Henry Frost REEVE)

Summary

Father:
Mother: Frost, Ann

Birth: Q3 1851 Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
Birth Source: GRO Index

Death: Q4 1940 Uxbridge, Middlesex
Death Source: Death records

Spouse1: Leggatt, Rosa Emily

Narrative

The birth of William Henry FROST was recorded during the third quarter of 1851 in the Risbridge Registration District, at which time his mother's maiden name is shown as "—". He was baptised as William Henry FROST in May 1852 at the Parish Church of St, Stoke by Clare in Essex. See Research Note 1 below.

During the first quarter of 1853, William's mother Ann FROST married Henry Reeve, also in the Risbridge Registration District. It seems that William adopted his mother's married surname and that William (who was also known as Henry or Henry W) was raised by Henry Reeve as his son.

FreeBMD notes the marriage of William Henry F REEVE and Rosa Emily LEGGATT during the fourth quarter of 1874 in the Risbridge Registration District.

Children of William Henry Frost Reeve and Rosa Emily Leggatt:

1. Ellen Mary Ann Reeve, b 1876
2. Rose Emily Reeve, b 1881
3. John Edward Reeve b 1885
4. Walter Reeve b 1887
5. William George Reeve b 1889
6. Frederick Charles Reeve b 1891

It should be noted that whilst christened William Henry , he always went by the name Harry. In the various census records he is recorded interchangeably as William or Henry. On his son Frederick's marriage certificate he is also recorded as Harry Reeve. Also, in later census records, the family name is recorded as Reeves (sic Reeve)

In 1861 Henry is recorded as 9 years old living with his parents in High Street Stoke (by Clare). By 1871 Henry had left home and was lodging with the Preston family in the Parish of St Mary, near Bury St Edmunds. He was recorded as 21 years old. Occupation Agricultural Laborer.In 1881 Henry is recorded as 29 years old and lodging with the Brigden family at 12 Paradise Place, Brentford, Middlesex. With him were his wife Rosa and daughter Mary Ann (5). The family likely moved to be closer to Rosa's family who all came from Heston, Middlesex. Henry's occupation Laborer Sawyer. By the 1891 Census the family had grown and had moved to 19 Walnut Street, Brentford. Henry is recorded as 39 years old living with his wife and children Ellen (15), Rose (9), John (5), Walter (3) and George (2). Occupation Fish Hawker.

Rosa Emily Reeve died in 1894 leaving a large family with no mother. Henry was not originally found on the 1901 Census, because he was listed as Henry Rewes (sic REEVES)an inmate at the Brentford Workhouse, aged 49 , widowed, pauper. Occupation Costamonger. However, on the 1901 Census all three of his sons were recorded as living at The Percy House (Workhouse) Isleworth, Middlesex.
On the 1911 Census Henry is recorded as 6o residing in the Uxbridge Union Workhouse. Occupation Formerly Fishmonger. He likely died there.

Brentford, Middlesex was considered one of the worst slum areas in London. The streets that they lived on were demolished as part of the slum clearance project following The Great War.

FreeBMD notes the death of William Henry REEVES (sic) during the fourth quarter of 1940, age 89 so born c1851, in the Brentford Registration District, which is a good match for this individual.

Research Notes

(1) The transcript of William Henry FROST's baptism has no name recorded for his father in the appropriate place. However it does indicate that in the Notes "father Henry REEVE / sw". The images of the register need to be consulted to see if its possible to determine if this information was included as part of the original record or whether it was added at a later data. The baptism transcript also indicates that William was born in 1852 which is NOT compatible with the GRO Birth entry identified for this individual.

The original baptism record was consulted. Details as follows:
When Baptized: 1852 May 2
Child's Christian Name: William Henry
Parents Names: Henry Reeve
Ann FROST single woman
Abode: Stoke
There is no date of birth recorded so most likely the Q3 GRO entry is valid for this individual.

(2)

Sources

Birth:           GRO Index 1851, September quarter, Risbridge Registration District
Baptism: Suffolk Records Office Reference: SA267/B
Marriage1:   FreeBMD     1874, December quarter, Risbridge Registration District
                   
Death:         GRO Index 1940, December quarter, Brentford Registration District     as William Henry REEVES (sic)
Burial:       
                   
1861 Census:   RG9, Piece 1126, Folio 140 face, Page 7, Schedule 45   -   HoH Henry Reeve
1871 Census:   RG 10, Piece 1727, Folio 63, Page 25
1881 Census:   RG11, Piece 1348, Folio 34 reverse, Page 26, Schedule 134
1891 Census:   RG 12, Piece 1031, Folio 69
1901 Census:  RG 13, Piece 1186, Folio 99, Page 8
1911 Census:  Piece 6770
1921 Census:  
1939 Register:
Norfolk England Transcripts 1600 - 1935
London England, Church of England Marriages 1754 - 1921
London England, Church of England Births, Baptism and Deaths 1813 - 1906