Collier Family

Hard Times

It has been well-documented that the silk weavers in London in the 19th Century had a hard time and some changed their occupation.

I came across one entry that shows that Charles Collier did experience hardship at one stage:

"London England Selected Poor Law
Removal and Settlement Records 1857-1858

Bethnal Green Union

Order of Removal
Saturday January 9 1858

Charles Collier 54
Wife Maria 44
4 Children
George 16
Clara 11
Mary 9
?Henry 5

?Exam - was married at Stepney, St Dunstan 7 April 1828 (Certificate destroyed)
No 6 Church Row
he a silk weaver & never X and was born in No 7 St John St
has only heard so -no proof-
his father James never X
In B.G. all his life never lived out of it."

The symbol X has been used but in the document there is an abbreviation like "Sc" meaning unkown but may indicate that this was the first time that Charles had claimed.

Charles was not truthful to the authorities. He was not married to Maria until 1863. Also he did marry at St Dunstans, Stepney but not on 7 April 1828.

Colin Bower
21 February 2024