Bulmer & District

History


Group                                                                                                   

                Bul


        Bulmer & District History Group

Hannah Nokes - nee Rowe

1840 -1901


Hannah was born in Bulmer in 1840 into the extensive Rowe Family.

In 1851, aged 11, Hannah was living in Bulmer with her father, James, an agricultural

labourer, her mother and brother.

In 1861, aged about 21 Hannah was still living at home with her parents and brother,

as a servant at the Aubries where her father was a bailiff.

Hannah’s future husband, Abraham, was also a bailiff – in Halstead.

Abraham Nokes was born in 1814 – one of a large family living in Halstead. He was initially an agricultural labourer, and later a bailiff.

Hannah and Abraham married in 1869 when she was 28 and Abraham was in his middle 50s.

The 1871 census shows them living with Abraham’s parents in Halstead along with one-year old son James.

Abraham died soon after, in the winter of 1872, leaving Hannah pregnant with their daughter Katie who was born in 1873.

Hannah would have found herself in a very difficult situation - now widowed with two small children. She was living with her 82-year old parents-in-law. They probably had no income and would have struggled with their situation. Hannah decided to send her children into the care of her sister, and took live-in domestic work.

So by 1881 Hannah had become a domestic servant for an oil merchant in Romford. And her two children were living at School Meadow Bulmer with their aunt Mary Bunn.

By 1891 Hannah had moved back to Bulmer to be a servant, living with her sister Mary Bunn

By 1901 Hannah had moved to Walthamstow to be with her son James, his wife and their young family. James was a sergeant with the Metropolitan Police. Hannah died the same year.



                      information and picture from Rolland Owen                                                                                                    Gillian Lamb 2016