A GAGGLE OF GANDERS

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The next record of Thomas William and family's whereabouts does not come until 18 April 1879 when we find the second child Lucy Harriet probably in some disgrace in the St. John Horsleydown Workhouse in Bermondsey. She died from peritonitis whilst pregnant as a single girl. Not yet 20 years of age, her occupation was given as a domestic servant. Emma Jane registered the death and gave her own address as 102 Abbey Street, Bermondsey, again not far from their previous address.

The 1881 census found the Gander's still at 102 Abbey Street. The census showed the parents at home with just 5 of the children: George and Lucy Harriet were dead (although it is likely she would not have been shown on the census at this address anyway, it would have been her employers). William Thomas, who if alive would have been aged 19, was missing, most probably having "left" home by now. Amy now 17 was elsewhere, living in as a servant to one William Howell, a 'tripe dresser', and his family in Lambeth. The eldest, Henry Robert, now 25 is shown as still living at home, also working as a carman as is his father Thomas William now aged 46.

Interestingly the seven Gander's still shared a house with the Dawson's, as they had 10 years previous at a different address. It may be that the two families had shared a house even longer than this; it was a Sarah Dawson who informed the Registrar of Lucy Gander's death in 1865 it will be remembered (see Part 2.3).

The previous 'Head' of the Dawson family, Samuel, now aged 61 was no longer a clerk and had retired on some sort of pension. His son, also a Samuel, was still at home, now aged 17 and working in a Corn Chandler's shop. Samuel's daughter Lucy had now married to a William Hedges and they had a small

The 1871 Census entry for 21 Alderminster Road, Bermondsey

A GAGGLE OF GANDERS

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