**Maria Patience Eldergill (1838 – 1898) and **Alfred Dawes (1838 – 1925)

Maria Patience Dawes nee Eldergill
Alfred Dawes

Note: ** indicates a direct relative of mine in this text

**Maria Patience Eldergill (1838-1898), daughter of **Robert and **Ann Eldergill, (see **Robert Eldergill (1815 – 1875) and Ann/ Elizabeth Ann Goulden (1813 – 1852)) married Alfred Dawes (1838-1925) on the 25th December 1860 at Saint John The Baptist Church, Shoreditch, London, England. Maria was born in Shoreditch and christened on the 25th February 1838 at Saint Leonards.

Alfred was born between April and June in 1838 in Clerkenwell, London and died between October and December 1925. There was another Alfred Dawes born in the fist three months of the same year in Islington, but I think the first mentioned Alfred is the correct one. The Clerkenwell parish dates back from the medieval times and is now the south-western part of the Borough of Islington, so these two Alfreds are easy to mix up. Clerkenwell – Wikipedia. See**Robert Eldergill (1815 – 1875) and **Ann/ Elizabeth Ann Goulden (1813 – 1852) for a street map op London showing the location of Clerkenwell.

Parishes in Clerkenwell 1805
Clerkenwell – Wikipedia
Middlesex 1066-1888
Clerkenwell – Wikipedia
Alfred Dawes’ signature as see n on the 1911 census form. Note his address: 44 Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town.
Alfred Dawes’ handwriting as seen on the 1911 census form, mentioning himself as head of the house and Maria Patience as his wife

According to the 1851 census Alfred lived at 18 Ironmonger Street,  Finsbury. This is remarkable as his father **Alfred Dawes (circa 1814 – ?) was a spoon maker and Alfred was a iron lock maker/ safe maker. Alfred’s mother was **Ann (circa 1813 – ?), born in Lomers Town. Alfred (1838) was then 15, and his brother Charles (circa 1846) was 5.

By 1861 Alfred’s parents (both 46 years old) were still living at 18 Ironmonger Street, St Luke with their children Arthur (6 years old and born in St Luke) and Catherine (17 years, born in Clerkenwell and working as a servant). Alfred’s father ‘s profession is listed as “silversmith”. See**Robert Eldergill (1815 – 1875) and **Ann/ Elizabeth Ann Goulden (1813 – 1852) for a street map of London showing the location of St Luke near Clerkenwell.

Alfred Dawes senior, 1961 census.


England & Wales, Index of Wills and Probates, 1853-1943 mentions a widow Ann Dawes who died on the 16th March 1890, formerly of Battersea, Surrey. Could this have been Alfred’s mother? She died at 36 George street leaving a personal estate of 435 pounds, 13 shillings and 1 pence. £100 in 1890 would be worth  £16,440.36 today, so her estate was worth about £71,515.

Alfred and Maria Patience had 14 children of whom 6 died (according to Alfred’s own note on the 1911 census form). The possible children are listed below, unfortunately I could not find documentation on many of them.

  1. Alfred Charles Dawes (12th March 1861 – Oct-Dec 1861) – died as an infant
  2. Alfred Thomas Dawes (29th May 1863 – ?)
  3. Alice (July-Sept 1864 – ?) – died before 1871.     
  4. Ellen M Dawes (Circa 1864 -Jan-Mar 1866) – died age 2
  5. Charles Dawes (29th October 1867 – ?)
  6. Ellen Dawes (15th November 1869 – ?) married Aylward
  7. Alice (July-Aug-Sept 1870/71- Jan-Feb-Mar 1939)
  8. Catherine Frances ‘’Katy” Dawes (14th November 1871 –  14th august 1954) – married Watkins
  9. Emily Maria Dawes (Apr-June 1873 – ?)
  10. Maria Louise Dawes (1874 – ?) married Taylor
  11. Emma L Dawes (1875 – 1960) married Wilson
  12. Edward Dawes (1879 – ?)
  13. Sarah Ann Dawes (1880 – ?) married Adams
  14. ? Walter Reuben John Dawes (1883 – 1968)

Alfred is recorded to lived at 11 Hooper St. Clerkenwell, Middlesex England with Maria Patience after their marriage in December 1860. Their one year old son Alfred was also recorded in the 1861 census (?April). Unfortunately little Alfred died at the end of that year (?of cholera). Here Alfred senior is described as an Iron Safe Maker.

The 1871 census lists Alfred and Maria living with their sons Alfred (Thomas) (7 years old) and Charles (3 years old) and daughter Ellen (1 year old), at Bird in the bush Road, 4 Hereford Retreat, Peckham, Camberwell, London-Surrey, England. Charles was christened on the 21st June 1870 at St. Andrew’s, Peckham, Surrey England where Alfred and Maria already lived. There was also an Alice Dawes born between July-Aug-Sept 1870, and one in the same months in 1871, in Wolverhampton Staffordshire, England. The birth date of 1871 would fit if the census was done before July.

1871 Census; Alfred and Maria (both 33), living at Bird in the Bush Road with three , Ellen does not appear on this page. The Dawes family is at the bottom of the page.

**Catherine Frances, their 8th child, was born at 6 Nictor Terrace, Green Hundred Road, Peckham, County Surrey according to her birth certificate, on the 14th November 1971, so after the census. Her father, Alfred, was listed as a safe maker. Charline Nicolles registered her birth on the 11th December 1871. 

A copy of the birth certificate of Catherine Dawes, unfortunately difficult to read.

1891 census records their address as 72 Glengall Road, Peckham, London, England. The children Catherine (19), Emily (15), Edward (12) and Sara A (11) were also living there then. All four children are listed as born in London, Peckham. Catherine is listed as a machinist, Emily as a collar turner and Edward and Sarah A as scholars. Alfred and Maria P were then both 53 years old. Walter Reuben John Dawes (1883 – 1968) would have been 8 years old then but is not mentioned here.

1891 Census: The Dawes family was living ar 72 Glengall Road Peckham

As of the 2nd April, 1911 (according to the 1911 census) Alfred and Maria had then been married 50 years and were living at 44 Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, Staffordshire, England. Alfred and his wife were both 73 years old then. Their children had all left home. Ellen was living with her husband at 48 Hill Street, Peckham with her husband Alfred William Aylward and three children.

Alfred died between October and December 1925 in Wolverhampton aged 87 years.

1911 Census: All the children had left home by now and Alfred and Maria were living at 44 Wolverhampton, Heath Town, Staffordshire. This form was filled in by Alfred himsalf and his handwriting and signature can be seen on it.

  • Records
  • In England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C04080-7. System Origin: England-ODM, GS Film number: 396240, 396241, 396242.  Citation: Maria Patience Eldergill. Gender: Female, Christening: Feb 25 1838 – Saint Leonards, Shoreditch, London, England, Father: Robert Eldergill, Mother: Ann.
  • In England Marriages 1538-1973. Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M04037-1. System Origin: England-ODM, Folder: 4031349, GS Film number: 589947, 589948, 589949, 590841, 590842, 590843, 590844, 590845, 590846 Citation: Alfred Dawes, Marriage: Dec 25 1860 – Saint John The Baptist, Shoreditch, London, England, Wife: Maria Patience Eldergill.
  • In England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1837-2005. Name: Maria Patience Eldergill, Marriage date: Oct-Nov-Dec 1860. Marriage Place: Shoreditch, London, England. Volume: 1c. Page: 4713.
  • Alfred
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alfred Dawes, Birth date: Apr-May-June 1838, Birth Place: Clerkenwell, London, England, Volume: 3, Page: 47.
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alfred Dawes, Birth date: Jan-Feb-Mar 1838, Birth Place: Islington, London, England, Volume: 3, Page: 151.
  • In 1851 England & Wales Census: Alfred Dawes, Gender: Male, Birth: Circa 1838 Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England, Residence: 18 Ironmonger ST, Finsbury, Middlesex, England, Age 13, Occupation: Scholar, Father: Alfred Dawes, Mother: Ann Dawes. Census: City: Finsbury, Parish: Saint Luke, Ecclesiastical district: St. Luke, Parliamentary borough: Finsbury, Registration district: City Road 2, Registrar’s district: Sant Luke, County Middlesex, Country: England, Date: 1851, Series: HO107, Piece: 1521, Enumerated by: John Gove Page, Enum, District: 16, Page 381, Family: 132, Line: 20.
  • In 1861 England & Wales Census: Alfred Dawes, Gender: male, Birth Circa 1815, Clerkenwell London, Residence: 18 Ironmonger St, St Luke, Middlesex, England, Age 46, Marital status: Married, Occupation: SilversmithAlfred Dawes, Wife Ann Dawes. Children Arthur Dawes, Catheroine Dawes. Census: Parish: St Luke, Municipal/Parlementary borough: Finsbury, Registration  district: City Road, Registrar’s district: St Luke Middlesex, Country: England, Date: 1861, Series: RG09, Piece: 203, Enumerated by: Henry Hamlin Junr, Enum, District: 10, Page: 70, Family: 120, Line: 9, Image 20.
  • In 1861 England & Wales Census: Alfred Dawes, Gender: male, Birth Circa 1861 Clerkenwell London, Residence: 11 Hooper St. Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England, Age 1 month, Marital status: Single, Father: Alfred Dawes, Mother Maria Dawes. Census: Parish: Clerkenwell, Municipal/Parlementary borough: Finsbury, Registration  district: Saint James, Registrar’s district: Clerkenwell, County Middlesex, Country: England, Date: 1861, Series: RG09, Piece: 189, Enumerated by: Frederick Rogers, Enum, District: 2, Family: 110, Line: 16, Image 22.
  • In 1871 England & Wales Census: Alfred Dawes, Gender: male, Birth Circa 1838 Middlesex London, Residence: Bird in the Bush Road, Hereford Retreat, Camberwell, London-Surry, England, Age: 7, Father: Alfred Dawes, Mother: Maria Dawes, Siblings Charles Dawes and Ellen Dawes. Census: Ecclesiastical district: St Andrew, Parish: Camberwell, Borough: Lambeth, County London-Surry, Registration district: Peckham, Country: England, Superintendent registrar’s district: Camberwell, Date: 1871, Series: RG10, Piece: 0733, Enum, District: 18, Page: 43.
  • In 1891 England & wales Census: Catherine Dawes Birth: Circa 1872, Peckham, London, Residence: 1891 72 Glengall RD, Peckham, London, England, Age: 19, Marital status: single, Occupation Machinist, Employed: yes, Father Alfred Dawes, Mother: Maria P. Dawes, Siblings: Emily Dawes (15), Edward Dawes (12), Sarah A. Dawes (11). Census: Parish: Camberwell, Township: Peckham, Ecclesiastical district: St. Andrews, Parliamentary borough: Peckham, Registration district: Camberwell, Peckham, County: London, Country: England, Date: 1891, Series: RG12, Piece: 480, Enumerated by: WIlliam Eldridge, Enum, District: 35, Page 94, Family: 145, Line: 5, Image 22.
  • In 1911 England & Wales Census: Alfred Dawes, Gender: male, Birth Circa 1838 Clerkenwell London, Residence: 44 Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, Staffordshire, England, Age 73, Marriage: Circa 1861, Years of marriage: 50, Marital status: Married, Occupation: Iron Safe Maker, wife Maria Patience Dawes. Census: Parish: Heath Town, Registration district: Wolverhampton, Willenhall, County Staffordshire, Country: England, Date: Apr 2 1911, Series: RG14, Piece: 17088, Enum, District: 6, Family: 23, Line: 1
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alfred Dawes, Birth date: Apr-May-June 1838, Birth Place: Clerkenwell, London, England, Volume: 3, Page: 47.
  • In England & Wales, Death Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alfred Dawes, Death date: Oct-Nov-Dec 1925. Death Place: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. Birth date: Circa 1838. Age: 87. Volume: 6B. Page: 669.
  • Children:
  • Alice
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alice Dawes, Birth date: July-Aug-Sep 1964. Birth Place: Benthal Green, London, England. Volume: 1C. Page: 273
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alice Dawes, Birth date: July-Aug-Sep 1870. Birth Place: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. Volume: 6B. Page: 514.
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alice Dawes, Birth date: July-Aug-Sep 1871. Birth Place: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. Volume: 6B. Page: 703.
  • In England & Wales, Death Index, 1837-2005. Name: Alice Dawes, Death date: Jan-Feb-Mar 1939. Death Place: Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England. Birth date: Circa 1871. Age: 68. Volume: 6B. Page: 703
  • Ellen
  • In England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02108-8. System Origin: England-EASy, GS Film number: 384903. Reference ID v P73 and 1 p 40. Citation: Ellen Dawes. Gender: Female, Birth: Nov 15 1869, Christening: June 21 1870 – St. Andrew’s, Peckham, Surrey, England.
  • Catherine Frances
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Catherine Frances Dawes, Birth date: Oct-Nov-Dec 1871, Birth Place: Camberwell, London, England, Volume: 1d, Page: 670.
  • In England Marriages, 1538-1973: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00158-5. System Origin: England-EASy, GS Film number: 384904 Reference ID p 158 cn 315. Name: Catherine Frances Dawes & Joseph John Watkins, Marriage: Dec 2 1900, St. Andrew, Peckham, Surrey, England, Wife: Catherine Frances Dawes, Birth: 1871, Age 29, Marital status: Single, Father: Alfred Dawes, Husband Joseph John Watkins, Birth 1870, Age 30, Marital status: Single, Father: Joseph Watkins.
  • Emily
  • In England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-2005. Name: Emily Maria Dawes, Birth date: Apr-May-June 1873, Birth Place: St. Saviour Southwark, London, England, Volume: 1d, Page: 57.
  • Emma
  • In England & Wales, Death Index, 1837-2005. Name: Emma L Wilson, Death date: July-Aug-Sep 1960. Death Place: Camberwell, London, England. Birth date: Circa 1875. Age: 85. Volume: 5C. Page: 183.
  • Maria
  • In England Marriages, 1538-1973: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00158-5. System Origin: England-EASy, GS Film number: 384904 Reference ID p 145 cn 289. Name: Maria Louise Dawes & Ernest Edward Taylor, Marriage: Apr 21 1900, St. Andrew, Peckham, Surrey, England, Wife: Maria Louise Dawes, Birth: 1874, Age 26, Marital status: Single, Father: Alfred Davis, Husband: Ernest Edward Taylor, Birth 1866, Age 34, Marital status: Single, Father: Joseph Taylor.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *