Chapter Six
Stephen William La Roche and Martha Huckstep.
I know I should at this point start with the first born but I find the birth and life of Stephen William La Roche the most fascinating and I hope you do.
He Married Martha Huckstep so here is the involvement again with this Kentish family. Her father was William Huckstep and the Census says he was born in 1813 on the Isle of Sheppey but I believe this may be a mistake and they meant Minster which, although is on the Isle of Sheppey, there is also a Minster in Thanet where so many of the Hucksteps lived and worked on the land.
Martha’s mother was Martha Elizabeth Bresson she was Williams’s first wife and through a distant relative I have this wonderful story:-
Martha’s Story
Martha is identified as M. E. Huckstep in Michael's information from the French Protestant Hospital. Her own entry in the Hospital records is one of the most informative we have seen: HUCKSTEP, Martha Elizabeth, née Bresson, afterwards Mrs. Oblein. Inmate. e. Feb.3, 1877. Left: Dec.3, 1883 "to be married to Michael Oblein an Inmate". Re. March 3, 1888. d. Oct.31, 1900. M: May 6, 1876 "Martha Elizabeth Huckstep...presented a pétition for admission to the Hospital which she desired to sub stitute for thé pétition to thé Coqueau Charity which was accepted at thé last Committee. The pétition was approved...and thé one for thé Coqueau Charity cancelled"; Feb.3, 1877 "Martha Elizabeth Huckstep...who has lately acted as temporary nurse in thé Hospital was elected..."; Dec.l, 1883 "The Steward reported that Mrs. Martha E. Huckstep one of thé Inmates had been asked in marriage by Mr. Michael Oblein late an inmate of thé Hospital, & that if thé Directors sanctioned her leaying she would be married on Monday next thé 3rd December at South Hackney Church by thé Rev . John W. Laughlin thé Chaplain of thé Hospital. In asking permission to leave thé Hospital Mrs. Huckstep had expressed to the Steward her gréât gratitude to thé Directors for thé care and kindness shown to her during her résidence of nearly seven years in thé Institution.
The Treasurer stated that he had been informed by thé Steward some days ago of thé proposed marriage and that after conferring with thé Deputy Governor he had desired Mrs. Browne to spend £5 in linen for Mrs. Huckstep and had ordered that on thé day of her marriage thé other Inmates should be regaled with cake & Wine. The Committee sanctioned thé action of thé Treasurer, and in according thé permission asked by Mrs. Huckstep...they expressed their satisfaction at her général good conduct and helpfulness to thé other Inmates and their best wishes for her future happiness'^'; Feb.4, 1888" The Steward having reported thé death of Michael Oblein...and thé désire of his Widow (formerly Mrs. Huckstep) to be re-admitted to thé Hospital thé Committee decided...to enter Mrs. Oblein as a Registered Petitioner in Class A"; Nov.3, 1900 "Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Oblein...died on thé 31st October, aged 85 years. The sum of 15 /4% left by Mrs. Oblein was ordered to be placed in thé Poor Box, and a Pebble Brooch to be given to her daughter". P (Coqueau); March 29, 1876, regd. April 1. (a) i. Martha Elizabeth Huckstep, 22 Gloucester Street, Cambridge Heath, par. Bethnal Green, Middlesex, Widow, daughter of William Bresson and Martha Bresson; ii. Nov.26, 1815, St. John Street, Brick Lane; iii. On Father's side, who was a French Protestant; iv. Silk Weaver, now supported by one Daughter; v. Infirmity; vi. Martha Elizabeth Huckstep; vii. G. Browning. (b) ii. W. Woodward Spencer, Wesleyan Minister. (f) Enclosures; (1) Certified extract, undated, Marriage Register, St. Léonard Shoreditch, August 26, 1769 "James Bresson of this Parish Bachelor and Elizabeth Franks of this Parish Spinster"; (2) Certified extract, undated, Marriage Register, Christ Church Middlesex, Dec.25, 1811 "William Bresson of this Parish Bachr. and Martha Barker of thé same Parish, widow"; (3) Certified extract, Dec.17, 1817, Register of Births, Dr. Williams1 Library "Martha Elizabeth Bresson Daughter of William Bresson and Martha Bresson his Wife, who was Daughter of Stephen Reynolds, was Born (November 26) in thé Parish of Saint Matthew Bethnal Green (1815)"; (4) Marriage Certificate, St. Mary Haggerston, Middlesex, Oct.6, 1834 "William Henry Huckstep of this Parish a Bachelor and Martha Elizabeth Bresson of this Parish a Spinster"; (5) Funeral bill "for thé funeral of William Henry Huckstep who departed this life 13th March 1875 Aged 62 Years"; (6) Folio sheet signed "William Bresson October 7/57 [i.e. 1857]" giving account of Bresson Family beginning "Somewhere between 1709 and 1710 Raymond Bresson and his Brother whose Christian name I know not, was, it appears, with a Party of French Protestants in thé neighbourhood of Monpelier...[hère follows account of Raymond Bresson's escape via Portugal, service in thé British Army, pensioner of Chelsea Hospital] He married and had three Children, Raymond, Simeon and Mary had thé Committee Money till she died and Raymond Bresson jun. [q.v.] Died in thé French Providence, Simeon Married and had one Child James Bresson who Married Elizabeth Franks they had Five Children, James, Charles, Robert...William Bresson Married Martha Barker they [had] four Children...thé two living are William James Bresson and Martha Elizabeth who Married William Henry Huckstep..."; (7) Certificate of membership, Eglize Françoise de Londres, June 26, 1791 "Mr Jaques Bresson"; (8) do., Oct.26, 1740 "Simeon Bresson"; (9) Certificate from Chelsea Hospital Sept.29, 1755, admitting "Raym . Brayson" as an Out-pensioner; (10-11) Two incomplète documents noting marriage of Raymond Bresson and [Marie Elizabeth?] Delamothe, 1718/9[?], and baptism of Simon "fils de Raymond Brisson et de [Marie Eliza]beth, ne le 20du mois doctobre, 1722", and of "Raymond fils de Raymond Bresson [et de Marie?] Elizabeth De la Mothe" baptized Nov.12, 1727. RA Coqueau; April 1, 1876 [abstract of P]. P_ (for admission): April 1, 1876, regd. May 6, Class C; endorsed...Entered first asaNurse on thé Men's side 13.12.76 @ £15 pr ann. [As P (Coqueau) but with enclosure; Marriage Certificate, South Hackney Parish Church, Dec.3, 1883
"Michael Oblein, Widower, Retired Weaver, 49 Wetherall Road, (father) Michael Oblein, Silk Weaver, [and]Martha Elizabeth Huckstep, Widow, (father) William Bresson, Loom Broker...In thé présence of W.J. Bresson, Caroline Bresson"]. RJ(2): No.1442. See also JEFFRYES, Emily Bresson, née Huckstep; FOX, Amelia (Note that Emily Jeffryes is the daughter of Martha and Amelia Fox is the granddaughter of Martha). From Emily's application we find more on Martha's ancestors: On Mother's side, who was thé lineal descendant of Remond BrissonCsicIl who was naturalised under thé Act Michaels father was Micheal b 1775 and his mother was Mary Gerard b 1775
We have seen Michael's baptism record in the Threadneedle Street register: OBLEIN.— Juin 29. Michel f. de Michel 0. et Marie Gerard. P. Le pere. M. La mere. Ne 27_Mai. Much of the information on Michael and Sarah comes from Michael's records in the French Protestant Hospital: OBLEIN, Michael (2). Inmate, e. Jan. 13, 1872. Left: July 7, 1883. M: June 2, 1883 "The Steward...reported that Michael Oblein...had been desired by one of his sons who is now in a position to support his father to leave the Hospital, and that he had accordingly taken lodgings in the neighbourbood. Oblein attended the Committee...he was informed that in order to avoid any disappointment or interruption of his plans the Committee gave him leave of absence until their next meeting but that the Directors could only consider the question of Mr. Oblein's leaving the Hospital on a written application being made to them by his son who should also state what provision he proposed to make for his father's future support..."; July 7, 1883 "The Secretary read a letter which he had written...to Mr. John Oblein...also Mr. Oblein's reply which was considered unsatisfactory and evasive in that it gave no indication of the provision made for Mr. Oblein...Mr. Oblein was desired to attend the Committee when the correspondence was read to him and he was informed that if from any cause his son's support failed he could not be received again into the Hospital. Mr. Oblein replied...that he was satisfied to rely upon his son's promises, whereupon he was formally discharged", P_: March 16, 1868, regd. April 4, Class B on acct of Age only. (a) i. Michael Oblein, N° 12 George Street, Old Bethnal Green Road, par. Bethnal Green, Widower, Son of Michael Oblein who...died in the above mentioned Hospital...and Mary (formerly Mary Gerard Spinster); ii. May 27, 1806, St John Street Brick Lane Bethnal Green; iii. On Father's side who was Son of Noe Oblein who was born in the village of Wallincourt near St. Quentin in Picardie and came to England in 1770 - on 8 September 1774 married Martha Dupre and died in the said Hospital [RI. No. 1134) in Bath Street on 23 January 1836 - Noe Oblein by his said Wife had two children only, the elder of whom was Petitioner's Father Michael Oblein. The latter married on 14 December 1800...Mary Gerard and died in the Hospital...27 November 1847; iv. Always has been a silk weaver; v. the depression of the silk weaving trade...and increased age; vi. Michael Oblein; vii..John Gilburt. (b) ii. William Wood, Minister of St. Jamesthe Less Bethnal Green, (f) Enclosures; (1) Certified extract May 20, 1827, Regitre^des Baptemes de 1'Eglise Francoise de Londres dans Thread-needle-street, June 29, 1806 "A ete baptise Michel fils de Michel Oblein & de Marie Gerard sa femme. . .Parrainle pere... Marraine la mere Ne le 27 Mai 1806"; (2) Marriage certificate, St. Mary Whitechapel, June 14, 1829 "Michael Oblein of this Parish Bachelor and Sarah Gilburt of this Parish Spinster"; (3) Certified extract April 2, J868, Registry of Burials, City of London Cemetery "1868 Jany. 7th Sarah Oblein, 12 George Street... 66 years"; (4) Certified extract March 30, 1868, Marriage register, St. Botolph Bishopsgate, Dec. 14, 1800 "Michael Oblein Bachelor of this Parish and Mary Gerard Spinster of the sameParish". RA: April 4, 1868 [abstract of P]. RI_(2) : No. 1401 "Michael Oblein. . .Withdrew in 1883... his Sons having arranged to support him.
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Stephen William La Roche and Martha Huckstep.
I know I should at this point start with the first born but I find the birth and life of Stephen William La Roche the most fascinating and I hope you do.
He Married Martha Huckstep so here is the involvement again with this Kentish family. Her father was William Huckstep and the Census says he was born in 1813 on the Isle of Sheppey but I believe this may be a mistake and they meant Minster which, although is on the Isle of Sheppey, there is also a Minster in Thanet where so many of the Hucksteps lived and worked on the land.
Martha’s mother was Martha Elizabeth Bresson she was Williams’s first wife and through a distant relative I have this wonderful story:-
Martha’s Story
Martha is identified as M. E. Huckstep in Michael's information from the French Protestant Hospital. Her own entry in the Hospital records is one of the most informative we have seen: HUCKSTEP, Martha Elizabeth, née Bresson, afterwards Mrs. Oblein. Inmate. e. Feb.3, 1877. Left: Dec.3, 1883 "to be married to Michael Oblein an Inmate". Re. March 3, 1888. d. Oct.31, 1900. M: May 6, 1876 "Martha Elizabeth Huckstep...presented a pétition for admission to the Hospital which she desired to sub stitute for thé pétition to thé Coqueau Charity which was accepted at thé last Committee. The pétition was approved...and thé one for thé Coqueau Charity cancelled"; Feb.3, 1877 "Martha Elizabeth Huckstep...who has lately acted as temporary nurse in thé Hospital was elected..."; Dec.l, 1883 "The Steward reported that Mrs. Martha E. Huckstep one of thé Inmates had been asked in marriage by Mr. Michael Oblein late an inmate of thé Hospital, & that if thé Directors sanctioned her leaying she would be married on Monday next thé 3rd December at South Hackney Church by thé Rev . John W. Laughlin thé Chaplain of thé Hospital. In asking permission to leave thé Hospital Mrs. Huckstep had expressed to the Steward her gréât gratitude to thé Directors for thé care and kindness shown to her during her résidence of nearly seven years in thé Institution.
The Treasurer stated that he had been informed by thé Steward some days ago of thé proposed marriage and that after conferring with thé Deputy Governor he had desired Mrs. Browne to spend £5 in linen for Mrs. Huckstep and had ordered that on thé day of her marriage thé other Inmates should be regaled with cake & Wine. The Committee sanctioned thé action of thé Treasurer, and in according thé permission asked by Mrs. Huckstep...they expressed their satisfaction at her général good conduct and helpfulness to thé other Inmates and their best wishes for her future happiness'^'; Feb.4, 1888" The Steward having reported thé death of Michael Oblein...and thé désire of his Widow (formerly Mrs. Huckstep) to be re-admitted to thé Hospital thé Committee decided...to enter Mrs. Oblein as a Registered Petitioner in Class A"; Nov.3, 1900 "Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Oblein...died on thé 31st October, aged 85 years. The sum of 15 /4% left by Mrs. Oblein was ordered to be placed in thé Poor Box, and a Pebble Brooch to be given to her daughter". P (Coqueau); March 29, 1876, regd. April 1. (a) i. Martha Elizabeth Huckstep, 22 Gloucester Street, Cambridge Heath, par. Bethnal Green, Middlesex, Widow, daughter of William Bresson and Martha Bresson; ii. Nov.26, 1815, St. John Street, Brick Lane; iii. On Father's side, who was a French Protestant; iv. Silk Weaver, now supported by one Daughter; v. Infirmity; vi. Martha Elizabeth Huckstep; vii. G. Browning. (b) ii. W. Woodward Spencer, Wesleyan Minister. (f) Enclosures; (1) Certified extract, undated, Marriage Register, St. Léonard Shoreditch, August 26, 1769 "James Bresson of this Parish Bachelor and Elizabeth Franks of this Parish Spinster"; (2) Certified extract, undated, Marriage Register, Christ Church Middlesex, Dec.25, 1811 "William Bresson of this Parish Bachr. and Martha Barker of thé same Parish, widow"; (3) Certified extract, Dec.17, 1817, Register of Births, Dr. Williams1 Library "Martha Elizabeth Bresson Daughter of William Bresson and Martha Bresson his Wife, who was Daughter of Stephen Reynolds, was Born (November 26) in thé Parish of Saint Matthew Bethnal Green (1815)"; (4) Marriage Certificate, St. Mary Haggerston, Middlesex, Oct.6, 1834 "William Henry Huckstep of this Parish a Bachelor and Martha Elizabeth Bresson of this Parish a Spinster"; (5) Funeral bill "for thé funeral of William Henry Huckstep who departed this life 13th March 1875 Aged 62 Years"; (6) Folio sheet signed "William Bresson October 7/57 [i.e. 1857]" giving account of Bresson Family beginning "Somewhere between 1709 and 1710 Raymond Bresson and his Brother whose Christian name I know not, was, it appears, with a Party of French Protestants in thé neighbourhood of Monpelier...[hère follows account of Raymond Bresson's escape via Portugal, service in thé British Army, pensioner of Chelsea Hospital] He married and had three Children, Raymond, Simeon and Mary had thé Committee Money till she died and Raymond Bresson jun. [q.v.] Died in thé French Providence, Simeon Married and had one Child James Bresson who Married Elizabeth Franks they had Five Children, James, Charles, Robert...William Bresson Married Martha Barker they [had] four Children...thé two living are William James Bresson and Martha Elizabeth who Married William Henry Huckstep..."; (7) Certificate of membership, Eglize Françoise de Londres, June 26, 1791 "Mr Jaques Bresson"; (8) do., Oct.26, 1740 "Simeon Bresson"; (9) Certificate from Chelsea Hospital Sept.29, 1755, admitting "Raym . Brayson" as an Out-pensioner; (10-11) Two incomplète documents noting marriage of Raymond Bresson and [Marie Elizabeth?] Delamothe, 1718/9[?], and baptism of Simon "fils de Raymond Brisson et de [Marie Eliza]beth, ne le 20du mois doctobre, 1722", and of "Raymond fils de Raymond Bresson [et de Marie?] Elizabeth De la Mothe" baptized Nov.12, 1727. RA Coqueau; April 1, 1876 [abstract of P]. P_ (for admission): April 1, 1876, regd. May 6, Class C; endorsed...Entered first asaNurse on thé Men's side 13.12.76 @ £15 pr ann. [As P (Coqueau) but with enclosure; Marriage Certificate, South Hackney Parish Church, Dec.3, 1883
"Michael Oblein, Widower, Retired Weaver, 49 Wetherall Road, (father) Michael Oblein, Silk Weaver, [and]Martha Elizabeth Huckstep, Widow, (father) William Bresson, Loom Broker...In thé présence of W.J. Bresson, Caroline Bresson"]. RJ(2): No.1442. See also JEFFRYES, Emily Bresson, née Huckstep; FOX, Amelia (Note that Emily Jeffryes is the daughter of Martha and Amelia Fox is the granddaughter of Martha). From Emily's application we find more on Martha's ancestors: On Mother's side, who was thé lineal descendant of Remond BrissonCsicIl who was naturalised under thé Act Michaels father was Micheal b 1775 and his mother was Mary Gerard b 1775
We have seen Michael's baptism record in the Threadneedle Street register: OBLEIN.— Juin 29. Michel f. de Michel 0. et Marie Gerard. P. Le pere. M. La mere. Ne 27_Mai. Much of the information on Michael and Sarah comes from Michael's records in the French Protestant Hospital: OBLEIN, Michael (2). Inmate, e. Jan. 13, 1872. Left: July 7, 1883. M: June 2, 1883 "The Steward...reported that Michael Oblein...had been desired by one of his sons who is now in a position to support his father to leave the Hospital, and that he had accordingly taken lodgings in the neighbourbood. Oblein attended the Committee...he was informed that in order to avoid any disappointment or interruption of his plans the Committee gave him leave of absence until their next meeting but that the Directors could only consider the question of Mr. Oblein's leaving the Hospital on a written application being made to them by his son who should also state what provision he proposed to make for his father's future support..."; July 7, 1883 "The Secretary read a letter which he had written...to Mr. John Oblein...also Mr. Oblein's reply which was considered unsatisfactory and evasive in that it gave no indication of the provision made for Mr. Oblein...Mr. Oblein was desired to attend the Committee when the correspondence was read to him and he was informed that if from any cause his son's support failed he could not be received again into the Hospital. Mr. Oblein replied...that he was satisfied to rely upon his son's promises, whereupon he was formally discharged", P_: March 16, 1868, regd. April 4, Class B on acct of Age only. (a) i. Michael Oblein, N° 12 George Street, Old Bethnal Green Road, par. Bethnal Green, Widower, Son of Michael Oblein who...died in the above mentioned Hospital...and Mary (formerly Mary Gerard Spinster); ii. May 27, 1806, St John Street Brick Lane Bethnal Green; iii. On Father's side who was Son of Noe Oblein who was born in the village of Wallincourt near St. Quentin in Picardie and came to England in 1770 - on 8 September 1774 married Martha Dupre and died in the said Hospital [RI. No. 1134) in Bath Street on 23 January 1836 - Noe Oblein by his said Wife had two children only, the elder of whom was Petitioner's Father Michael Oblein. The latter married on 14 December 1800...Mary Gerard and died in the Hospital...27 November 1847; iv. Always has been a silk weaver; v. the depression of the silk weaving trade...and increased age; vi. Michael Oblein; vii..John Gilburt. (b) ii. William Wood, Minister of St. Jamesthe Less Bethnal Green, (f) Enclosures; (1) Certified extract May 20, 1827, Regitre^des Baptemes de 1'Eglise Francoise de Londres dans Thread-needle-street, June 29, 1806 "A ete baptise Michel fils de Michel Oblein & de Marie Gerard sa femme. . .Parrainle pere... Marraine la mere Ne le 27 Mai 1806"; (2) Marriage certificate, St. Mary Whitechapel, June 14, 1829 "Michael Oblein of this Parish Bachelor and Sarah Gilburt of this Parish Spinster"; (3) Certified extract April 2, J868, Registry of Burials, City of London Cemetery "1868 Jany. 7th Sarah Oblein, 12 George Street... 66 years"; (4) Certified extract March 30, 1868, Marriage register, St. Botolph Bishopsgate, Dec. 14, 1800 "Michael Oblein Bachelor of this Parish and Mary Gerard Spinster of the sameParish". RA: April 4, 1868 [abstract of P]. RI_(2) : No. 1401 "Michael Oblein. . .Withdrew in 1883... his Sons having arranged to support him.
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