A Family of Tailors

We’ve already met Alfred Hitch Casbon. He’s the guy whose middle name was transcribed as “Jitel” (see “Without a Hitch”). He was the son of James (Howse) Casbon (1806–1871) by his first wife, Ann Hitch.

Alfred Hitch Casbon was born September 4, 1828 in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire and baptized in the “non-conformist” Independent church December 7th of the same year.^[1] He spent his early years in Meldreth with his family. By 1851, however, “Hitch” was working as a tailor, and living in the town of Sandiacre, Derbyshire, England.^[2]

For reasons unknown, he decided to be baptized again as an adult into the Church of England, in 1851.^[3] Perhaps this had something to do with his upcoming marriage. He married Charlotte (Haines) Hornby, a widow, on August 9, 1852.^[4]

Alfred and Charlotte had a son, also named Alfred Hitch, in 1853.^[5] Charlotte died in 1866,^[6] and Alfred remarried in 1867, this time to Elizabeth Ryder, a previously unmarried woman.^[7] Their first child, Arthur Hitch, born in 1868, lived only a matter of days.^[8] Their second son was born in 1870 and named Harry Hitch Casbon.^[9] Thus, Alfred Hitch Casbon had two surviving sons, born 17 years apart.

Alfred moved around quite a bit during his working years. His first marriage was in Hackney (London).^[10] Arthur was baptized and buried in Haddenham (near Ely).^[11] Harry was baptized in Ely proper.^[12] By 1861 Alfred was again living in Hackney and in 1871 he was in Kent.^{[13], [14]}

By 1881 he finally settled down for good, in Bury, Lancashire. The census of that year is the only one that shows Alfred, his wife, and both surviving sons together.^[15]

By this point, Alfred senior seems to have attained some stability in his occupation. He employed an apprentice and machinist. Alfred junior had also learned the tailor’s trade. Alfred senior died at Bury in 1887.^[16] His widow Elizabeth died in 1904.^[17]

Meanwhile, Alfred junior was married in 1885 to Margaret Marshall, the daughter of a baker.^[18] In the 1891 census, Alfred and Margaret were listed in separate locations, Alfred as a lodger in Brighton, Sussex, and Margaret as head of household in Bury.^{[19], [20]} Perhaps this was due to a temporary work situation for Alfred, as they were together again in Bury for the 1901 census.^[21] Alfred and Helen had two daughters, Helen and Laura, born 1887 and 1888, respectively.^{[22], [23]}

In the 1911 census, Alfred described his specialty as “gentlemens tailoring.”^[24]

This census also shows that daughter Helen was employed as a milliner and Laura as an elementary school teacher. This census image is also interesting because it shows the actual form completed by Alfred and provided to the census enumerator. Prior to 1911 these forms, known as schedules, have been lost, and only the summary sheets completed by the census enumerators survive. Alfred’s wife Margaret died 1934 in Bury, and Alfred died one year later, also in Bury.^{[25], [26]}

By 1891, Harry Hitch, the youngest son, was also a tailor.^[27] He married Elizabeth Bradshaw in 1897.^[28] In the 1891 and 1901 censuses, Harry was living in Radcliffe, Lancashire, not far from Bury.^[29] In 1911 he was living in Bury again.^[30]

Unlike their father, both Alfred junior and Harry were listed as “workers”—not employers—on the census forms. In the 1939 register (similar to a census – taken just after the outbreak of war), Harry is listed as a Journeyman Tailor – retired.^[31] The word journeyman implies that he could serve as an employee, but had not fulfilled all the requirements to be a master tailor and hence could not be self-employed. Harry and Elizabeth never had children. Harry died 1943 in Fylde, Lancashire, and Helen died 1956 in Blackpool, Lancashire.^{[32], [33]}

Here’s a chart showing how the “Hitch’s” are descended from the Meldreth Casbon branch.

^[1] “England & Wales Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms”, Hitch Casbon (born 4 Sep 1828, baptized 7 December 1828); images and transcriptions, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=tna%2frg4%2fbap%2f183809 : accessed 10 Jan 2017); citing The National Archives, TNA/RG/4/155.
^[2] “1851 Census of England, Wales & Scotland,” image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1851%2f0013258922 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Hitch Casbourn (age 22) in household of William Raynor,Sandiacre, Shardlow, Derbyshire,  ; citing [The National Archives], HO 107, piece 2141, folio 241, p. 241 (stamped).
^[3] Meldreth Parish (Cambridgeshire, England), Parish registers for Meldreth, 1681-1877, Alfred Hitch Casbon baptism, 25 Oct 1851; FHL microfilm 1,040,542.
^[4] “London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921,” Alfred Hitch Casbon & Charlotte Hornby, 9 August 1852; images and transcriptions, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 August 2016); citing London Metropolitan Archives, London.
^[5] “England & Wales births 1837-2006,” Alfred Hitch Casbon; database, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fb%2f1853%2f2%2fah%2f000619%2f035 : accessed 8 March 2017); citing Hackney, London, England, 2d quarter, 1853, vol. 1B: 263.
^[6] “London, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1980,” Parish of West Hackney, Middlesex, England; transcriptions and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2017), entry for Charlotte Casbon, buried 13 November 1866; citing Board of Guardian Records, 1834-1906 and Church of England Parish Registers, 1813-1906. London Metropolitan Archives, London.
^[7] “London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921,” Alfred Hitch Casbon & Elizabeth Ryder, 15 April 1867; Ancestry (accessed 10 August 2016).
^[8] Cambridge Family History Society, “Cambridgeshire Burials,” transcripts, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbprs%2fd%2f403340357%2f1 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Arthur Hitch Casbon, 17 Aug 1868, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.
^[9] Cambridge Family History Society, “Cambridgeshire Baptisms,” transcripts, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbprs%2fb%2f323517931%2f1 : accessed 31 Jan 2017), entry for Harry Hitch Casbon, born 25 May 1870, baptized 21 Jun 1870, Ely (Cambridgeshire), Wesleyan Methodist [Church].
^[10]  “London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921,” Casbon & Hornby, 9 August 1852.
^[11] Cambridge Family History Society, “Cambridgeshire Burials,” Arthur Hitch Casbon, 17 Aug 1868.
^[12] Cambridge Family History Society, “Cambridgeshire Baptisms,” Harry Hitch Casbon, born 25 May 1870.
^[13] “1861 Census of England and Wales,” image and transcriptions, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1861%2f0000993933 : accessed 26 Jan 2017), entry for Alfred Cashon (age 32), Marys Place, Hackney, London; citing [The National Archives], RG 09, piece 155, folio 155, p. 63.
^[14] “1871 Census of England, Wales & Scotland,” image and transcriptions, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1871%2f0014306938 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Alfred W Casban, Alexandria Road, St Lawrence, Thanet, Kent; citing [The National Archives], RG 10, piece 997, folio 70, p. 18.
^[15] “1881 Census of England, Wales & Scotland,” image and transcriptions, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1881%2f0017803564 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Alfred K Casbon (age 52), Regent Street, Bury, Lancashire; citing [The National Archives], RG 11, piece 2864, folio 96, p. 22.
^[16] “England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007,” Bury, Lancashire, England, vol. 8C, p. 404; database, findmypast  (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fd%2f1887%2f4%2faz%2f000060%2f108 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Alfred Hitch Casbon (age 59), 4th quarter, 1887.
^[17] “England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007,” Preston, Lancashire, England, vol. 8E: 363; findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fd%2f1904%2f3%2faz%2f000060%2f351 : accessed 14 March 2017), entry for Elizabeth Casbon (age 75), 3d quarter, 1904.
^[18] Parish of St Thomas Bradford, Yorkshire, England, Alfred Hitch Casbon & Margaret Marshall, 18 October 1885; transcripts and images, “West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1813-1935,” Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2017); citing Yorkshire Parish Records, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield, Yorkshire.
^[19] “1891 Census of England Wales & Scotland,”  image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1891%2f0006364915 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for entry for Alfred H Casbon (age 37) in household of George Luste[?se], Belgrave Street, Brighton, Sussex, England; citing [The National Archives], R 12, piece 806, folio 71, p. 31.
^[20]  “1891 Census of England Wales & Scotland,” image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1891%2f0021545025 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Margaret Casbon (age 41), East Street, Bury, Lancashire, England; citing [The National Archives], RG 34, piece 3136, folio 50, p. 34.
^[21] “1901 Census of England, Wales & Scotland,” image and transcription, findmypast  (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1901%2f0024703844 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Alfred H Cashon (age 47), East Street, Bury, Lancashire, England; citing [The National Archives], RG 13, piece 3645, folio 120, p. 33.
^[22] “England & Wales births 1837-2006,” Bury, Lancashire, England, vol. 8C: 533; database, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fb%2f1887%2f4%2faz%2f000095%2f116 : accessed 15 March 2017), entry for Helen Marshall Casbon, 4th quarter, 1887.
^[23] “England & Wales births 1837-2006,” Bury, Lancashire, England, vol. 8C: 560; database, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fb%2f1888%2f4%2faz%2f000095%2f356 : accessed 15 March 2017), entry for Laura Marshall Casbon, 4th quarter, 1888.
^[24] “1911 Census of England and Wales,”  image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1911%2frg14%2f23516%2f0111%2f1 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Alf H Casbon (age 57), East St, Bury, Lancashire, England; citing [The National Archives], census reference RG14PN23516 RG78PN1371 RD462 SD5 ED5 SN56.
^[25] “England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 August 2016), Casbon, Margaret, 12 July 1934; citing Principal Probate Registry, Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England, London.
^[26] “England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 August 2016), Casbon, Alfred Hitch, 5 May 1935; citing Principal Probate Registry, Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England, London.
^[27] “1891 Census of England Wales & Scotland,” image and transcription, findmypast  (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1891%2f0021600165 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Harry Casbon, West Street, Radcliffe, Bury, Lancashire; citing [The National Archives], RG 12, piece 3143, folio 47, p. 13.
^[28] “England & Wales Marriages 1837-2008,” Bury, Lancashire, England, vol. 8c: 882; database, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fm%2f1897%2f3%2faz%2f000060%2f188 : accessed 16 March 2017), entry for Harry Hitch Casbon [& Elizabeth Bradshaw], 3d quarter, 1897.
^[29] “1901 Census of England, Wales & Scotland,” image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1901%2f0024729035 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Harry H Casbon (age 30), Wellington Street, Radcliffe, Bury, Lancashire, England; citing [The National Archives], RG 13, piece 3648, folio 90, p. 14.
^[30] “1911 Census of England and Wales,” image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=gbc%2f1911%2frg14%2f23523%2f0577%2f1 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Harry Hitch Casbon, Nelson St, Bury, Lancashire;  citing [The National Archives], RG14PN23523 RG78PN1371 RD462 SD5 ED12 SN286.
^[31] “1939 Register,” image and transcription, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=TNA%2FR39%2F4258%2F4258A%2F014%2F19 : accessed 8 March 2017), entry for Harry H Casbon (born 25 May 1870), Collyhurst Avenue , Blackpool C.B., Lancashire; citing [The National Archives], RG101/4258A/014/19.
^[32] “England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007,” Fylde, Lancashire, vol. 8E: 858; database, findmypast (http://search.findmypast.com/record?id=bmd%2fd%2f1943%2f1%2faz%2f000164%2f105 : accessed 16 March 2017), entry for Harry H Casbon (age 72), 1st quarter, 1943.
^[33]  “England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 February 2017), Casbon, Elizabeth, 24 April 1956; citing Principal Probate Registry, Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England, London.