Charles & Amelia Coldridge of Exeter

Charles COLDRIDGE, born in Doddiscombsleigh in 1821, is the sixth son of John & Betsey COLDRIDGE and my great-great-grandfather. He re-married less than a year after the death of his second wife and had 7 more children: 4 sons and 3 daughters. Charles worked as a gardener in Exeter and in the later censuses he is living apart from Amelia.

Charles COLDRIDGE, age 31 [he was actually 41], Widower, Gardener, residing South Street Exeter, son of John COLDRIDGE (deceased), Farmer, married Amelia DENSLEY, age 27, Spinster, also living on South Street, daughter of George DENSLEY, Railway Porter, on 18th September 1862 at the Mint Wesleyan Chapel Exeter. Both signed. Witnesses Henry ROBERTSON and Sarah DENSLEY.

Charles COLDRIDGE's marriage to Amelia DENSLEY was registered in September 1862 in Exeter.

1871 census for Exeter

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Exeter St Sidwell
Wood's Buildings
Charles COLDRIDGE
Amelia COLDRIDGE
Mary COLDRIDGE
Arthur COLDRIDGE
George COLDRIDGE
Bessie COLDRIDGE
William COLDRIDGE
Sarah D COLDRIDGE
49
34
9
7
6
5
4
8m
Head
Wife
Daughter
Son
Son
Daughter
Son
Daughter
Gardener
 
 
Scholar
Scholar
Scholar

In 1871 Charles and Amelia are recorded together in the same household with their family.

Mary COLDRIDGE, born around 1861, is Charles's daughter from his first marriage to Mary BAKER.

Arthur COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in September 1863 in Exeter. He is my great-grandfather and was born on 11th July 1863. His birth certificate gives his father's occupation as Jobbing Gardener and their address as 9 Albert St, Exeter St Sidwell.

George COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in December 1864 in Exeter. He was born on 29th September 1864 and his birth certificate gives his father's occupation as Jobbing Gardener living at Plantation Buildings, Clifton Rd, Exeter St Sidwell.

Bessie COLDRIDGE's birth was registered (as Bessy) in June 1866 in Exeter. She was born on 11th March 1886 and her birth certificate gives the same details as George's.

William COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in December 1868 in Exeter.

Sarah Densley COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in September 1870 in Exeter.

1881 census for Exeter

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Exeter St Sidwell
7 Sandford Street
Charles COLDRIDGE 60 Boarder Gardener
Exeter St Thomas
14 Beaufort Rd
Amelia COLDRIDGE
Mary COLDRIDGE
Arthur COLDRIDGE
George COLDRIDGE
Bessie COLDRIDGE
William COLDRIDGE
Amelia E COLDRIDGE
Albert COLDRIDGE
George DENSLEY
Head
Daughter
Son
Son
Daughter
Son
Daughter
Son
Grandfather
40
19
17
16
15
12
8
7
77
Gardener's Wife
Waistcoat Maker
Joiner
Clerk On Railway
Dressmaker
Scholar
Scholar
Scholar
Formerly Porter

In 1881 Charles's occupation is given as gardener and his status as widowed, which is curious since he has been married to Amelia for 18 years. Amelia is living apart from him on the west side of the river. Perhaps seven children and her father were enough to look after.

Amelia Emma COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in September 1872 in Exeter.

Albert COLDRIDGE's birth was registered in March 1874 in Exeter.

1881 census for Hampshire

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Hampshire
Southampton All Sts
24 Manchester St
Edward PAINE
Martha PAINE
Harriet P PAYNE
Alfred H PAYNE
William B POCOCK
Charles C DAINE
Thomas H LOAMING
Emma M LOAMING
Sarah COLERIDGE
52
48
21
14
18
21
32
28
10
Head
Wife
Daughter
Son
Boarder
Boarder
Boarder
Boarder
Visitor
Paper Hanger
 
 
Scholar
Decorator
Bank Clerk
Glass Cutter
Glass Cutter Wife
Scholar

In 1881 Charles & Amelia's daughter, recorded as COLERIDGE, is visiting in Southampton. The census record is difficult to read because "Thomas" and "Emma" were added over the original initials. Emma's birthplace is recorded as Doddiscombsleigh, and I believe she is William & Maria's daughter Ellen Ann. There is a record of her marriage to "Thomas" and their banns were published in March/April 1874 in St Kerian Church, Exeter:

Theophilus Henry LOARING, of this parish and Ellen Maud COLERIDGE, of St Mary Steps.

Ellen Maud COLERIDGE's marriage to Theophilus Henry LOARING was registered in June 1874 in Exeter.

1891 census for Exeter

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Exeter St Sidwell
95 Summerland St
Charles COLDRIDGE 69 Head Gardener
Exeter St Olave
30 Bartholomew St
East Hertford Pl
Amelia COLDRIDGE
Sarah COLDRIDGE
Albert COLDRIDGE
54
20
17
Head
Daughter
Son
 
Mantle Maker
Solicitors Clerk

In 1891 Charles, who is nearly 70 (actually), is still living apart from Amelia and working as a gardener. They have both changed addresses since the last census. Only Sarah and Albert are still living with Amelia, the others have married or left home. George does not appear in this census at all.

Mary COLDRIDGE's marriage at the age of 28 (to Sidney Charles GEE or Thomas HENLEY) was registered in March 1890 in Exeter.

1891 census for Dorset

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Blandford
Bryanstone
Higher Barn
Keepers House
John COLLINS
Laura B COLLINS
Alfred E COLLINS
Cecil Victor COLLINS
Arthur H COLLINS
Stanley F COLLINS
Amelia E COLDRIDGE
51
35
16
3
2
7m
18
Head
Wife
Son
Son
Son
Son
Servant
Game Keeper
 
Keeper's Assistant
 
 
 
General Servant

In 1891 Amelia is recorded in domestic service in Dorset.

1891 census for London

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
London, Paddington
69 Westbourne Pk Rd
Emma ROBERTSON
Bessie COLDRIDGE
29
25
Lodger
Lodger

In 1891 Bessie has moved to London and is staying with her business partner. There are three deaths in the family before the next census:

Charles COLDRIDGE's death, aged 65 (he was actually 70), was registered in March 1892 in Exeter. He was buried in Exeter cemetery on 4th February 1892.

Sarah COLDRIDGE's death, aged 23, was registered in December 1893 in Exeter. She was buried in Exeter cemetery on 8th November 1893.

Amelia COLDRIDGE's death, aged 62, was registered in December 1899 in Exeter. She was buried in Exeter cemetery on 21st November 1899.

1901 census for London

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
London, Croydon
8 Sussex Road
Emma J ROBERTSON
Bessie COLDRIDGE
39
35
Head
Partner
Dressmaker
Dressmaker
London, Croydon
7 Birdhurst Rise
Charles C AUSTEN
Mabel K AUSTEN
Eileen H AUSTEN
Violet C AUSTEN
Evelyn M BROOMFIELD
Amelia COLDRIDGE
41
32
7
3
9
28
Head
Wife
Daughter
Daughter
Niece
Servant
Stockbroker's Agent
 
 
 
 
Nurse Domestic

In 1901 Bessie and Amelia are still unmarried and both working in Croydon, South London.

1911 census for London

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
S Croydon
15 Newark Road
Emma Jane ROBERTSON
Bessie COLDRIDGE
49
45
Head
Friend
Dressmaker
Dressmaker

1911 census for Sussex

Address Name Age Relation Occupation
Eastbourne
2 Upperton Gardens
Charles William LINDSAY
Florence Maud LINDSAY
Douglas G LINDSAY
Margery C LINDSAY
Sophrona TEDHAM
Emily Jane WALTON
Emma Amelia COLDRIDGE
39
36
8
6
29
44
38
Head
Wife
Son
Daughter
Servant
Servant
Servant
Warehouseman
 
 
 
Cook (Domestic)
House Parlormaid
Nurse (Children's)

In 1911 Bessie is still working in Croydon, while Amelia has moved to Eastbourne and is a nurse for 2 children who were both born in Croydon.

Bessie COLDRIDGE's death, aged 59, was registered in December 1925 in Cardiff.

Amelia E COLDRIDGE's death, aged 95, was registered in June 1968 in Eastbourne, Sussex.

Amelia Emma COLDRIDGE of 17 Sheen Rd Eastbourne died 4 May 1968 Probate Lewes 4 November. £1130.