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b.1859-d.1910
A summary of the evidence it has been possible to locate for Walter suggests an ordinary life.
Walter was born on January 11th 1859 in Hoxton, London. His parents were Walter Byford b.1821 in Clare, Suffolk and Margaret who was born in Poonah, East India in 1832.
Walter’s parents had been married in St. Mary’s Church, Islington on 1st March 1852. Margaret’s father, William Walton, is a soldier. Perhaps he had served in India, which might explain how Margaret came to be born there. Interestingly, Margaret could not write and had signed with her mark.
Walter was baptised at St Leonards Church, Shoreditch, London on July 8th 1860.
1860s
In 1861, Walter’s parents and family are living in Ashford Street in Shoreditch. They share the house with Zilpah Brown who is a victualler. Margaret is the manager . It appears from her name that Zilpa may be from India and we can only speculate as to the connection. Zilpa is a victualler and Margaret is the manager.
At this stage, Walter is just two years old and his older sister, Zilpa (Jilpa) is seven years old.
1870s
By 1871, the family has moved to 87, Cloudesley Road in Islington. Walter senior is working as a waiter. The family has grown. The details given confirm Zilpa, born Chelmsford Essex in 1854; Walter, born Hoxton, London in 1859; Frank, born Hoxton, London in 1865; Ellen, born Islington, in 1867; Frederick, born Holloway, in 1869.
Walter’s sister marries
In August 1875, daughter Zilpa marries John Pomroy Tredwen, who is a beer retailer. There are researchers on ancestry who have this line in their research.
Walter marries and has a family – 1880s to 1890s
In 1885, our Walter marries Julia Chapman in Hackney, London.
In 1891, Walter and his wife Julie are living in 12 Newington green Road, Islington and they have a son with them. Walter is a laundryman, aged 32 and Julia is 39 years old. George is an assistant at Ginger Beer.
The son George had been born in 1872 (GRO Reference: 1872 J Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 311). He was registered as Chapman but interestingly, Julia gave her maiden name as Byford. Whether George’s father was Walter is unclear but this suggests that he was.
1900-1910
By 1901, Walter and Julia have had another child called John who was born about 1891/2. They are living in 167 Balls Pond Road Hackney. Walter’s job is a traveller of some sort.
On January 10th 1907 a Julia Byford dies and is cremated. (source of this information since lost and needs finding again. She was in the St Olave’s Workhouse, Bermondsey.
On March 22nd 1910, Walter is admitted to St Olave’s Workhouse. Walter’s address is given as 3 John Campbell Road, Dalston, which is close to Balls Pond Road. He is ‘alleged insane’. His sister is the named family member as a Mrs Byford, so perhaps this is a sister in law.
Walter is there until March 30th 1910 when he is transferred to Long Grove Hospital Epsom.
On December 1st 1910, Walter dies at Long Grove Hospital Epsom. He is buried in Horton Cemetery in Grave 937a on December 6th 1910.
Author’s comment
It is not clear what happened to their son John.
There is a researcher on ancestry with the Tredwen family in their tree.
Theresa Kenefick-Conway January 2021; updated January 2022
