CASTLETON FAMILY

The family that follows are from Northumberland Heath. THE CASELTON or CASTLETON FAMILY, of Colyers Lane, Erith township, Northend and Slades Green.

The link comes from the farm/orchard and Holly House on the east side of Colyers Lane, Northend. Nr Normandy Road today.

This story below is really a small section of THE FAMILY TREE, submitted by John Stuart Young of Australia, a descendant of the Castletons, now worldwide . I intend expand the stories later, and add other branches of the Family Tree.

If you have any questions, please contact me on the e.mail given, although the museum will also have my snail mail address in New Zealand.

CASTLETON and CASELTON.

1^st Generation.

The First generation William Castleton was born 1801 in Footscray Kent. He was christened on 5^th July 1801 at Northcray Kent, and died on 30^th June 1876 in ERITH Kent, and was buried at St Paulinus, Crayford.

This is " Our ERITH connection".

Information was submitted by John Stuart Young, in Australia, though I understand some members of the family are still living locally in ERITH DISTRICT.

Both John and I would like to hear from anyone who has additional information, and those who can help with the link of Holly House, or those who know of Venner Farm.

UK CENSUS 1851.

On the 1851 Census, William aged 50, farming 116 acres. his wife Sarah aged 64, and his 35 year old stepdaughter Ann Smith, were living at 26 Barnes Cray Rd, Crayford.

I would imagine Ann was married, but we have no details yet of her husband, surname Smith.

The 1861 census shows William and Sarah with their grandson William aged 14, living at North End, farming 30 acres, and employing 3 men.

By the following census 1871, William was living at 10 Barnes Cray Rd, Crayford,

aged 70, Occ., Farmer living at Venner Farm, with a house keeper, Mary Clanton aged 64.

Although born Castleton, he married as Caselton, and now appears in records as Caselton. This could however be a mistake, that followed him through life.

At the time of his death aged 77, he was living at Lessness Cottages Bexley Rd, Lessness Heath Erith.

The informant of his death was his son Thomas*, who he left 7000 pounds to.

His death certificate states that he had paralysis on his left side for 6 years, and died of bronchitis with gradual decay of old age.

His death was recorded at Dartford, Kent.

William was buried in the same grave as his wife Sarah who had died 30^th June 1865 aged 77 years. Both were buried at St Paulinus Crayford, which was the cemetery for the area at that time.

Their grave is near to the main entrance, and close to the wall.

Those with * by their names will be followed through this month, from census and parish records or by family recollections.

One branch of the family are here in New Zealand, and I have included them, and research is on going, for the later story.

The Children of WILLIAM AND SARAH.

2^nd Generation

William and Sarah Caselton had four children.

William Caselton born 1822 who died 1849.
Sophia Caselton born 1824
Thomas* Caselton born 1828 died 1904
George Caselton born May 1830 died 1831

buried on 16^th January 1831 in St Paulinus Church, Crayford.

William had married Elizabeth Jarvis 24^th December 1846 at Crayford.

Sophia married first in 1844, her 2^nd husband was George Wells whom she married ,11^th March 1851 at St Paulinus Church .

Thomas* married Mary Ann Joseph, 9^th Sept., 1849 at St Marys Lambeth.

THOMAS CASELTON* & his wife MARYANN CASELTON.

The 1851 Census

17 North End Rd Crayford.

Thomas* Caselton	aged 22	Head of household	Farmer	born Crayford Kent.
Maryann Caselton	aged 21	wife		born Lambeth Surrey
Thomas Caselton	aged 7months			born Crayford Kent.

1871 Census. At 10 Barnes Cray Rd Crayford Kent.

Thomas* Caselton	40 yrs	Farmer		born Crayford
Maryann	39ys	wife		born Lambeth Surrey
Thomas	20yrs	Farmers Son		born Crayford Kent
Mary Ann	13yrs	daughter	Milliner	born Crayford Kent
Amelia	10yrs	daughter	scholar	born Camberwell Surrey
Leonard	8yrs	son	scholar	born Crayford Kent
Culmer	6yrs	son		born Crayford Kent.
Edwin	3yrs	son		born Crayford Kent.

1881 Census

Thomas * was a visitor at

North End Crayford.

The head of property was a

Joseph P Harris	58	a Beerhouse Keeper		born in Essex England
Hannah	19	daughter		born City of London Middx.
Thomas Caselton	53	visitor	independent	born Crayford Kent.

1891 Census

Thomas* Caselton was a lodger, living apart from his wife Mary Ann, at

30 Slade Green Road Crayford.

1901 Census.

Living now at 3 Castle Terrace Crayford, Thomas * Caselton aged 75 living on own means.

He died 7^th May 1904 and was buried at St Paulinus Church Crayford Kent.

Mary Ann who Thomas* married on the 9/9/1849 was daughter of Jacob Edward Joseph and his wife Hannah, of 24 Kerrow St, Stoke Newington Surrey.

At the time of his marriage, Thomas* was living at 14 Portland St.

Mary Ann Caselton, now living apart from Thomas*, is shown on the census, living at COLYERS LANE, at the eastern boundary of Erith where it changes to Crayford.

1881 Census

6 Colyers Lane Crayford Kent.

Mary Ann Caselton 50 Head Hosier and Market Gardener born Lambeth Surrey.

13 acres employs 2 boys.

1.Amelia H	20	daughter		Camberwell
2. Leonard	18	son	Pupil Teacher	Crayford Kent
3. Culmer G	15	son	Florist	Crayford Kent
4. Edwin	13	son	Scholar	Crayford Kent
5. Horace J	10	son	scholar	Crayford Kent

1891 Census

6 Colyers Lane Crayford Kent

Mary Ann Caselton	62	Head of House	Market Gardener	born Walworth Surrey.
Amelia	29	daughter	Market Gardener	born Camberwell Surrey.
Leonard	28	Son	Market Gardener	born Crayford Kent.

Mary Ann , wife of Thomas* owned in the late 1800, an orchard at Colyers Lane and Greengrocers at 2 Market Buildings Erith.

So although no longer living with her husband, she and the children continued to work hard, and build up the business.

Horace has shows for the first time on the 1881, aged 10 . The 1871 Census had shown the youngest in the family was Edwin, aged 3 yrs.

THOMAS* and Mary Ann had 10 children, two named Mary Ann, although some records show the spelling at Marrianne, though this could be a mistake of the recorder.

As I mentioned earlier it is impossible to follow a detailed life story of all the family, but I included genealogy of some of the siblings.

THOMAS* & MARY ANN CASELTON and their family of 10 children.

1. Thomas born 1850 died 1938

2. Mary Ann born 1851 , died 1853

3. William Charles **born 1854 died 1931

4. Rosina Emily born 1855 died 1859

5. Mary Ann*** born 1858

6. Amelia Harriet born 1860 died 1942

7. Leonard Joseph born 1864 died 1938

8. Culmer George**** born 1865 died 1956

9. Edwin born 1867 died 1954

10. Horace James born 1871 died 1956.

I continue with those marked *.

3^RD GENERATION.

WILLIAM CHARLES , MARY ANN & CULMER GEORGE CASELTON .

William 3^rd child of Thomas and Mary Caselton , born in 1854, and was christened 26^th February 1854 in St Paulinus Church, Crayford Kent.

He died on March 9^th 1931 in Paeroa NZ, and was buried on 11^th March in Paeroa Cemetery NZ

EMIGRATION FOR WILLIAM AND HIS WIFE MATILDA.

WILLIAM, had married Matilda Edith Dye on the 19^th January 1872 at St Saviours London. They later emigrated to New Zealand.

They travelled together, William, his pregnant wife Matilda, and their first born son William Arthur Caselton, on HMS ALUMBAGH.

William Arthur Caselton had been born on the 27^th June 1873, and christened at St Paulinus Crayford, two days later on the 29th .

HORACE JAMES , born on HMS ALUMBAGH, was registered in New Zealand .

William **, Matilda, William and Horace arrived in NZ ., 18^th AUGUST 1875.

William and Matilda had nine children. (8 sons and 1 daughter).

1. William Arthur born 1873 Eng.

2. Horace James Alumbagh born 1874. (Born on board Alumbagh, registered in NZ)

3. Wynne Henry 1879 NZ

4. E.J.born 1881 NZ

5. Louis Edwin born 1881 NZ

6. Percival Harold born 1883 NZ

7. Eldred Octavius born 1885

8. Wilfred Septimus born 1884

9. Laurence Charles born 1889.

William** worked first as a teacher, then a farmer at Frankton and nearby Hamilton, the city south of Auckland , which is NZ major city, though Wellington, on the lowest point of North Island, is New Zealand capital city.

He later became the editor of "The Waikato Times", followed by Chief Clerk at the Defence Office during the Boar War, retiring on a pension until his death in 1931 at Paeroa.

OBITUARY MR W.C. CASTLETON 1931.

Mr William Charles Castleton who died at Kerepeehi on March 9^th, at the age of 78 years was born in Crayford Kent England in 1853. The family to which he belonged had been for several generations large gardeners, supplying Covent Garden Markets London. Mr Castleton sailed for New Zealand in the ship Alumbagh and arrived in Auckland in 1875, and for a short time was employed at Mason’s Nursery Gardens. He afterwards joined the Education Department and became an assistant teacher at Newton East Primary School , later taking charge of Hunua in 1878. He was transferred to Maungatawhirl Valley School and then went to Pokeno.

He resigned from teaching from the teaching profession to take up farming and fruit growing at Frankton and Hamilton, and later managing editor of the "Te Aroha News"

Afterwards he was appointed to reorganise the Parliamentary Library at Wellington. He possessed a remarkable knowledge of English literature and was facile writer of graceful verse. At the beginning of the Boar War, Mr Castleton was appointed Chief Clerk and Paymaster in the Defence Office in Auckland, and held that position until the close of the Great War, he then retired on superannuation.

Mr Castleton is survived by eight sons and one daughter, Mrs E.J. Williams of Kerepeehi.

The sons are Messrs Willaim Arthur Castleton, of Mount Albert (Auckland) born in England;Horace J.A. Castleton of Manunui, born on board the Alumbagh. L.E. Castleton of Birkenhead (Auckland), P.H. Castleton of Rotorua, W.S. Castleton of Warkworth (Northland), E.O. Castleton of Vancouver, L.C.Castleton of Birkdale (Auckland). There are 28 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

You will note that on New Zealand, the family used the spelling of Castleton, which was the original spelling.

Voyage of ALUNBAGH.

Ship 1137 Tons

Captain Lowe

Surgeon Superintendent " Dr Warren.

Sailed from London on 9^th May 1875 arrived Auckland August 18^th 1875.

THE SHIP ALUNBAGH.

One of the early charters of the New Zealand Shipping Company , before it had it’s own fleet, was the fine ship Alumbagh, a vessel of 1137 tons which brought over 400 passengers to Auckland, sailing from London on May 9^th, in command Captain Lowe.

She crossed the Equator on the 10^th June, rounded the Cape on the 16^th July, sighted Three Kings ( Island of the North Cape of NZ) on the 13^th , and arrived in Auckland on the 17^th August.

Two severe gales were encountered during the passage, the first on the 27/8^th May, when the ship suffered considerable damage. The second occurred shortly after rounding the Cape, and heavy weather continued until the New Zealand coast was sighted on the 13^th August.

The immigrants arriving on the Alumbagh consisted of 283 English, 109 Irish, 13 Scots and 9 Welsh nationality.

During the voyage there were 16 deaths, mostly children.

On the 24^th June the Alumbagh passed an abandoned ship that had evidently burnt out, as the name was illegible.

MARY ANN CASELTON /PAYTON. UK

Mary Ann*** was the 5^th child of Thomas and Mary Ann, and the second child of theirs to carry the name Mary Ann. Their 2^nd child has also been Mary Ann, was born 1851, and died in 1853, and buried at St Paulinus Church Crayford on 20^th March 1853.

Mary Ann Caselton born 1858, she was christened 31 October at St Paulinus Crayford.

On the 31^st July 1879, Mary Ann married William Henry Payton, at St Paulinus Crayford.

William Henry Payton, aged 24 years, was a schoolmaster.

Witnesses were Thomas Caselton and Amelia Harriet Caselton, both of Crayford.

1881 Census.

2 Avenue Rd Erith Kent.

William Henry Payton	25	Head	Schoolmaster	born Abington Berkshire
Mary Ann Payton	23	Wife		born Crayford Kent
Alice	11 months			born Erith Kent.

1901 Census

Gillemsford Nr Sudbury West Suffolk

Boarding School Gemsford.

William Henry Payton	45	Head	Elementary School Master	born Alvington Berkshire.
Mary A	43	Wife		Crayford Kent
Alice M	20	Daughter	Student in Training College	Erith Kent
Emily A	19	Daughter		ditto
Henry L	15	Son		Gemsford Suffolk
Culmer G	14	Son		ditto.

As both Alice and Emily were born at Erith, it appears that the family moved to Gemsford 1885/6. The Four children were Alice, Emily, Henry and Culmer.

CULMER GEORGE CASELTON.

Culmer*** 8^th child of Thomas and Mary Ann Caselton, had been born 1865 in Crayford, Kent. He was christened at St Paulinus Church, Crayford. Both his birth and marriage were registered at Dartford. This could mean that that also married at St Paulinus, Crayford, near the family homes.

His wife Rosa Muriel Mile, who he married in 1899, had been born in Westerfield, Suffolk.

Culmer George Caselton born 1865, was christened at St Paulinus Crayford , on the 29^th December 1864. (At some time in his life, he was Station Master at Claygate North Surrey).

On the 1901 we have Culmer aged 36 years, and an enumerator of the 1901 Census including 2 addresses for his family.

HOLLY HOUSE ERITH.

Culmer Y Caselton 36yrs Head of household Market Gardener

(employer working at home).

BARNES CRAY KENT.

Rosa N	29 yrs	wife		born Westerfield Suffolk
Frederick	1 yrs	son		born Erith Kent
Amelia H	40 yrs	Sister	Florist Assistant	born Camberwell London.

ROSA, wife of Culmer died in 1905 , aged 32yrs, at Dartford, of Consumption.

Culmer did not marry again after the death of Rosa.

CULMER and Rosa had 2 children.

1. Frederick Culmer Caselton born 1899

2. Gladys Amelia Caselton born 1901 Dartford Kent..

Edwin Caselton married Martha Louisa Hughes, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hughes from Flint Wales.They settled in Slade Green, and Martha was very active in the community.

EDWIN CASELTON. (& brother HORACE).

Edwin was the 9^th child of Thomas and Mary Ann, Horace the 10^th.

In the 1901 Census, Edwin was living with his wife Martha at

2 Market Buildings Erith.

Edwin Castleton	34	head	Fruiter and Florist	born Crayford Kent.
Martha do	34	wife		Dublin Flint Wales.
Katie	9	daughter		Erith Kent
Marjory	7	ditto		Crayford Kent
Edwin	6	son		ditto
Leonard	3	ditto		ditto
Mabel	11months	daughter		Erith Kent.

Memories- Pat Johnson. Born 17/3/1920.
Much appreciated Pat.

Leonard and Ethel (nee Hughes) CASELTON.

Leonard Joseph, (my father) Martha Louise & Edwin are buried in the same plot at St Paulinus Church, Crayford, by the outside wall and was nearly destroyed when a bomb fell just feet away.

My father Leonard (known as Boyke) met my mother Ethel Hughes when he was sent to Liverpool Hospital after being wounded in the Great War.

Because of his mother Martha, (referred to as Kit) he was sent to her family to recuperate in Petre, Queensferry, Flintshire, WALES, and that is how I came about.

They were married in 1919, I was born in March 17^th 1920, my sister Edna in 1922 and brother Max in 1927.

We lived there until grandmother found dad a job in ERITH, at Davis Cycle & Garage, High Street, ERITH. We lived over the shop opposite Hedley Mitchell.

Later dads brother got him a job with the London Electricity Board, where he was until his retirement, finishing in charge of the showrooms in Dartford.

My mothers Father, and Grandmothers Kit�s father were cousins, so that made us kids, 3^rd cousins to our parents.

I remember the Brickfields very well indeed, as every Tuesday after school at Crescent Road, I would walk across the cinder path to my Grandparents for my tea.

I was thirteen years old at the time, and my grandparents lived in the houses called Church Terrace, opposite the church, where uncle Jack played the organ. (St Augustines, Slade Green).

Grandma started the 1^st Mother & Baby Clinic in the Church Hall, which was the first in Kent I believe, if not the first in the UK. It supplied Free baby food for the very needy, and if she was not finished on Tuesday�s, I was allowed to help her clear the things away afterwards.

She was a perfect lady in every sense of the word.

Many times I have been to Holly House to visit uncle Horace down Colyers Lane. I don�t remember his wife at all, but remember daughter Nancy, another daughter, and son Robert.

Robert married Lilian, and one daughter lived in Caselton Ave, Barnehurst, but immigrated to South Africa in the late 1940s, and lost touch with them then.

I visited the farm at Swanley where uncle Cul. lived and Amelia (Milly) kept house for him after he lost his wife. Milly was a very tiny person under 5ft, and after the shock of her fiancée being killed, (which caused her to lose all her hair and never regained it), she always wore a little black velvet mop cap. She was lovely.

Uncle Cul (CULMER CASELTON )was a huge man and very jolly.

Horace and Edwin, (grandad Ted), were both quite short and small in statue and looked like twins. Leonard would have died before I was old enough to have remembered him.

Grandad lived with us in Holly Hill Road ERITH, during the war, and was still going down to the Thames Ammunition Works on Slade Green marshes to work. He walked the 5 miles there and the 5 miles back as there was no transport going that way at the time. He was still fit, though over 70 years old.

I was to marry Tom on December 14^th 1940.

Grandad went to Covent Garden Market early in the morning to buy flowers for my bouquets. He spent the whole morning in the air raid shelter at the bottom of the garden making my bouquet, the three bridesmaids, and buttonholes for the guests. This was as air-raids were in progress.

On my way to the church which was in West St., (St John the Baptist ERITH), waiting at the level crossing for a train to go through, my dad and I was machined gunned by a lone German fighter plane, which was a bit scary.

My Tom always said he would love to have met that pilot, and he would kill him for missing me. Ha ha..

I wish I knew how my granddad and granma came to meet, with distance and lack of transport .

They had 13 children, and I understand 3 died.

There was Kate, Marg, Mabel, Millicent, Edna, Helen (known as Teddy), and John�s mum Alma. The boys were my dad, Jack and Max. They are all gone now.

I was always great friends with Max, as there was only 10 years between us. He emigrated to Rhodesia after the war with his wife Edith and children Peter and Kay. He retired to his lovely bungalow on the beach of the Indian Ocean in Mozambique, where Tom and I visited and had the most wonderful month with him and his second wife Joan.

Kay lives at Rainbow Beach Australia, and I am in touch with her via e.mails.

Sadly Peter had a tragic accident in South Africa a few years ago, and was killed.

Max and Joan had to leave Mozambique when Frelimo did a coup, and the Portuguese had to leave. They came to the UK and stayed with Tom and I until they were allocated a flat in Temple Hill Dartford, almost next to my dad, which was nice for them. They started again from scratch.

My brother Max married a girl from Slade Green, and they have 2 children. My sister Edna died 3 years ago, and was married to Russell from Northumberland Heath and had one son John.

I of course married a JOHNSON from Lower Belvedere, had 3 children, Patricia Ann (Mitzi) born in 1941. She was almost 5yrs when Tom first saw her, as he was away most of the war without leave. Then came Jane Carol. December 24^th 1946, followed by Peter 15th July 1950.

Contact for this story. John Stuart Young Australia.

jsyoung@mcmedia.com.au

I hope others with an interest in ERITH enjoy reading about the Castleton Family.

Kathy Lawson fawrdane@paradise.net.nz