Biography
The Ancestry tree places his baptism in central London and his adult household in the Croydon district. Family tradition suggests a banking career.
Childhood
A family-held handwritten birth-register abstract gives a birth on 22 June 1844 at 12 King William Street and notes the later registered name as William Edward Wilson. The family records give a baptism at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 17 August 1844; the original parish register has not yet been inspected. His father was involved in bankruptcy proceedings when William Edward was approximately ten.
Family and Surrey
The family records identify Mary Ellis as his wife and records seven children, including Walter Joseph William Hawes. Family testimony reports that Walter had eleven siblings, indicating twelve children altogether; this conflicts with the family records and remains to be reconciled. A South Norwood 1916 programme written and directed by Mrs Wilson Hawes (identified by the family as Mary Ellis) names several performers whom the family identifies as Walter’s siblings. The 1881 census reference RG11/820, folio 88, page 31 places the family in Croydon. The family associates his residence with Thornton Heath, but the precise address awaits a census transcription.
Working life
The family records describe William Edward as a bank clerk; this is now a recorded tree assertion, although the original census occupation column still needs checking. The census occupation field and later trade directories should settle the question.
Death and burial
A printed family memorial card records the death of William Edward Wilson-Hawes on 23 March 1900, aged 55, and burial at Tooting Cemetery. Its hyphenated surname offers a useful alternative spelling for searches. The family records also name Ashfield House, Feltham as his place of death; that location has not been independently verified.
Facts and dates
- Recorded life dates
- c. 1844–1900
- Family-tree generation
- Generation 4
- Record status
- family records; census image still needed
- Spouse or partner
- Mary Ellis
- Birth
- 22 June 1844, 12 King William Street — family manuscript abstract
- Baptism
- 17 August 1844 — family records
- Death
- 23 March 1900 — memorial card
- Burial
- Tooting Cemetery
- Spouse
- Mary Ellis — family records
- Known son
- Walter Hawes
- 1881 census
- RG11/820, folio 88, page 31
- Occupation
- Banking suggested by family; unverified
c. 1844–1900
Family records
Dates and events recorded in the family records. Month-only dates may be registration periods. Where sources disagree, the differences are noted below.
Research note: Chronology conflict: the approximate birth year 1845 is later than the recorded baptism on 17 August 1844. The existing c.1844 birth estimate is retained. The family records name his wife Mary Fisher; other family records name Mary Ellis. Their identity and surname history require confirmation.
- Birth
- abt 1845 · Strand, Middlesex, England
Source: 1881 England Census — Class: RG11; Piece: 820; Folio: 88; Page: 31; GSU roll: 1341193 Record ↗; England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 Record ↗ - Baptism
- 17 Aug 1844 · Saint Martin IN The Fields,Westminster,London,England
Source: England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 Record ↗ - Residence
- 1881 · Croydon, Surrey, England
Source: 1881 England Census — Class: RG11; Piece: 820; Folio: 88; Page: 31; GSU roll: 1341193 Record ↗ - Death
- 23 Mar 1900 · Ashfield House Feltham Middlesex, United Kingdom
No separate source citation is recorded for this event.
Name in family records: William Edward Wilson Hawes.
Original family records
Open a record to see its transcription, original photograph where published, and research notes. Only verified repository images are previewed below.
Printed original names Tooting Cemetery; photograph awaiting upload
Read document and research notes →Born 22 June 1844 at 12 King William Street; image upload pending
Read document and research notes →
Written and directed by Mary Ellis, Mrs Wilson Hawes
Read document and research notes →
Walter's siblings and Eric among the cast
Read document and research notes →Further reading and sources
This is a research biography, not a fully verified pedigree. Original photographs, contemporary records, later copies, information in family records and family recollections are distinguished where their evidential status is known. Details of living descendants are omitted.