Benjamin Nicholson Jones was born in Hackney in 1854, to Henry Joseph and Mary Ann Jones (nee Nicholson), both Londoners. He was baptised in October 1854 at St John, Hackney. The family was then living in Kings Row, The Grove, and there were nine children in all, born over 10 years.
By 1861, Henry's Mother, Mary Ann, had died, and, aged 5, Benjamin was living in Grove Place, Hackney, with Grandmother Catherine Nicholson. She was described as a 76 year-old, widowed, Fundholder, Head of the Household. Her unmarried daughter, Catherine, was with her, and Henry, her son-in-law, Benjamin's father. Eight of Henry's children were there, and there were four servants looking after them all. Henry Jones, a Dealer, died in 1870.
In 1881 in Hackney, Benjamin was a Clerk, with the East London Water Works, living in the household of his Aunt, Catherine Nicholson, with six of his siblings and his widowed uncle, John Thomas Jones.
Benjamin and Miranda were married on the 4th October 1881 in the Parish Church, Notting Hill. Miranda (born in Hammersmith in 1876) was living in Ladbroke Road. Her father was Gottlieb Augustus Treyer Evans, Merchant, and her mother Emily (nee Spike). Miranda was the third of their six children, all born in Middlesex.
By 1891 Benjamin had become Chief Clerk, East London Water Co. and was living in
Finchley, with Miranda plus two servants.
He suffered a bout of serious illness in the late 1890s, and was in the Holloway Sanatorium.
It may well be for this reason that Benjamin retired, and, with Miranda, was at Sunnyside, (now no.7) St Michael's Rd. in 1901 He was described as a Retired Company Accountant, East London Water Works Co. With them were Augustus Evans, 13 yr-old nephew, born in Wandsworth, and Jane Elliott 19 yr-old General Servant from Findon.
The couple had no children. They were still at Sunnyside in 1911
Benjamin died on the 23 June 1924 at Fernlea, 9 St Michael's Road. Probate was given to Miranda.
It would be interesting to know why the couple moved to the house next door!
In 1924, after Benjamin's death, Miranda was living at Fernlea with George and Jean Ford. George died in 1927, and is buried in Heene Cemetery. Jean was still at Fernlea when Miranda died.