Thomas Richey and kin 1914 and earlier

[avm228]

same birthdate as the navy lad Robert Hollingsworth!

Indeed. We like that

Now all we need is Thomas RICHEY's birthday!

[DarrenMW]

Ok, a period of reflection is called for.

So are we thinking Walker, like Smith, was yet another assumed name for Eliza, or perhaps a married name?

all hands on deck to locate Eliza Pickford. this truly is a bizarre set of events.

[DarrenMW]

on the 1911 census Richey lists his place of birth as 'St.Alban's, Holborn'.

My recollection of London is that Brookes Market is going to be VERY close to the St.Alban's area of Holborn (roight by Grays Inn Road).

if so, another strong piece of circumstantial evidence.

[avm228]

I went back to the 1861 census for Robert and Eliza "SMITH" to see whether there were any clues we had missed (PICKFORD in-laws perhaps?). No such luck. But I was able to clarify the address, which we had previously read as Chain Court.  In fact it was Chair Court, described as follows in in Seymour's "History of the Parishes of London and Westminster," written in 1734:

"A little above St. Clement's Well, of note for its excellent spring water, is Plough Alley, which, with three turnings, goes into a street by the Plough stables, which fronts the playhouse by Lincoln's Inn Grange, in Little Lincoln's Inn Fields. More towards Clare Market is Horseshoe Court, a pretty handsome place, with a freestone pavement, having a prospect into St. Clement's Inn Gardens. And opposite to this court is Yates' Court, not over good nor large. Between Temple Bar and the turning into St. Clement's Inn, on the north side of the Butcher's Row, are several courts, most of which are but small. The first is Ship Yard, a thoroughfare into Little Shear Lane, with a pretty broad passage; on the east side is an open place going into a small court called Chair Court, with a fair freestone pavement. Next to Ship Yard are these courts: Swan Court, very small; Star Court, indifferent, good, and large, with an open air; White Hart Court, long but narrow; Lock Alley, long, but small; Windmill Court very small and inconsiderable: Crown Court hath an open air about the midst, and leadeth into Little Shear Lane. Bear and Harrow Court is so called from such a sign, belonging to a noted eating-house, at the entrance into it. This court (or rather alley, from its length and narrowness) runs into Boswell Court."From: 'St Clement Danes: The law courts', Old and New London: Volume 3 (1878), pp. 15-25. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45127  

[avm228]

on the 1911 census Richey lists his place of birth as 'St.Alban's, Holborn'.

My recollection of London is that Brookes Market is going to be VERY close to the St.Alban's area of Holborn (roight by Grays Inn Road).

if so, another strong piece of circumstantial evidence.

I think St Alban the Martyr's church is either in Brookes Market or its adjacent street (Brooke Street).

[DarrenMW]

on the 1911 census Richey lists his place of birth as 'St.Alban's, Holborn'.

My recollection of London is that Brookes Market is going to be VERY close to the St.Alban's area of Holborn (roight by Grays Inn Road).

if so, another strong piece of circumstantial evidence.

I think St Alban the Martyr's church is either in Brookes Market or its adjacent street (Brooke Street).

Indeed it is, Anna!  I now have absolute confidence that this Robert Thomas Hollingsworth Walker is indeed Thomas Robert Richey. 

[avm228]

Eureka! 

That was a fantastic spot, Darren.

[DarrenMW]

Jan had shared some criminal transcript findings from the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey). i've been trying to cross reference any info from them.
One was in 1878 and listed a Thomas Hollingsworth acquited of unlawful stopping of a railway engine, or something along those lines (no pun intended!)

There were two co defendents,...a Tom Jordan and a 2nd less visable appeared to be Frederick 'Pretlove' (i'll check for Pickford)....  I'm going to see if that leads anywhere, as at least one was from St Pancras which isHollingsworth hunting grounds.

Could be our boy, or Hollingsworth snr,...or neither....

[DarrenMW]

I'm assuming there's no Eliza Pickford eagerly waving from the census records?

Her probable birth of circa 1835 would not be on F-BMD,..but A***stry perhaps.