Documents

Although born and resident in Barnstaple at No 1 Vicarage Lawn, six of the children of George Henry and Ann Matthews were baptised in St Mary's Church, Pilton on 29th January 1896 as recorded in the Parish Magazine of that year. They are listed as Florence Emily Grace, George Henry, Ethel May, William Frederick, Alice May and Charles Percival.

In the 1891 Census the family is recorded at No 1 Vicarage Lawn as follows:

George H. Matthews, head, age 31, painter & paper hanger, born Barnstaple
Ann Matthews, wife, age 29, born Chivenor
Florence, daughter, age 6, scholar, born Barnstaple
George, son, age 5, scholar, born Barnstaple
Ethel, daughter, age 2, born Barnstaple
William, son, age 6 months, born Barnstaple

It was apparently common for families to have their children baptised together despite the fact that the eldest, Florence, must have been reached 11 years of age.

Also attached is the 1911 Census showing them still living in Barnstaple at 4 Braunton Road, now Rolle Street, with a further son Leslie Reginald, age 14, errand boy, also born Barnstaple. This brought them within Pilton East Parish boundary. The Parish of Pilton was abolished in 1894 to become the separate parishes of East Pilton and West Pilton.