Charles Cotton (buried 1928)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Cotton
First name: 
Charles
Other Christian names: 
Henry
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1345
Born: 
0/0/1875
Died: 
22/04/1928
Buried: 
25/04/1928
Occupation: 
Cloth Cutter.
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
EB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
8
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/discrepancy.storm.cracks
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Charles Henry Cotton passed away 22nd April 1928 aged 52 and of Florence Irene his daughter fell asleep 10th March 1930 aged 22 "I knoweth my redeemer liveth"

Life story

Life story

Charles' father Charles Spencer Cotton was a letter carrier CSM which means that he worked for one of the trades employed by the Postal Service and very likely had a uniform. CSM probably stood for Carrier Services Mail. Charles Henry's mother was Frances nee Whieldon. His own occupation was that of a cloth cutter particularly in ladies wear. He married Ethel May Spooner in Camberwell in 1899 and they had 5 children. One of his daughters Florence Irene who was only 22 when she died, is buried with her father. Charles died on 22nd April 1928 at 63 Rowlands Road, Worthing ( a flat above Roberts and Son, wine merchants). Probate was granted on 9th May to Ethel May Cotton widow. Effects £411 6s 3d.

Burial researcher: 
Angela Levy

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1875
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Ethel May
Spouse one last name: 
Spooner
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1899
Marriage one address: 
Camberwell, Surrey, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
22/04/1928
Age (at time of death): 
52
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
63 Rowlands Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Probate pounds: 
£411

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1881 census: 

2 Bridges Cottages, Camberwell, Surrey

Charles S aged 46, letter carrier CSM. Frances aged 35. Eliza aged 9. Annie aged 7. Charles aged 6. Florence aged 4. Louisa aged 3 months. Charles Cotton aged 68, father, widower, late letter carrier CSM.

1891 census: 

64 South Street, Camberwell, Surrey.

Charles S aged 56, cashman CSM. Fanny aged 56. Annie aged 17, shop assistant. Charles aged 15, errand boy. Florence aged 14, shop assistant. Louie aged 10. Henry aged 6. James Gill aged 32, visitor, act comedian. Kate Gill aged 25, visitor. George Perle aged 13, visitor, music hall artist. John Perle aged 11, visitor, music hall artist.

See below regarding James and Kate Gill.

1901 census: 

10 Sedgemoor Place, Camberwell, Surrey.

Charles aged 25, cloth cutter. Ethel M aged 23. Sharing a house with Arthur Herbert, foreman and family.

1911 census: 

21 Edenbridge Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middx.

Charles Henry aged 35, ladies blouse and robe cutter/ blouse manufacturer. Ethel May aged 33. Elsie Violet aged 9. Charles Francis aged 8. Eileen Ivy Louise aged 6. Florence Irene aged 3. Ethel May Spooner aged 53, wife's mother. Maternity nurse.

1921 census: 

21 Edenbridge Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex

Charles Henry Cotton, Head, 46yrs; Born - Camberwell, Surrey; Cloth Cutter for H Tobins Williams in Milton Street, London EC;

Ethel May Cotton, Wife, 43yrs 3mths; Born - Anerley, Surrey; Home Duties;

Charles Francis Cotton, Son, 18yrs 3mths; Single; Born - Camberwell, Surrey; Clerk for Continental Produce in Miles Lune, Monument, London;

Wilfred Spencer Cotton, Son, 8yrs 6mths; Born Bush Hill, Middlesex; Whole Time Education;

Elsie Violet Cotton, Daughter, 20yrs; Single; Born - Camberwell, Surrey; Cashier for Messrs Boots Ltd (Chemists) in Regent Street W1

Eileen Ivy Louise Cotton, Daughter, 16yrs 4mths; Single; Bush Hill, Middlesex; Whole Time Education;

Florence Irene Cotton, Daughter, 13yrs 8mths; Born - Bush Hill, Middlesex; Whole Time;

Miscellaneous information

From a Report in "The Music Hall & Theatre Review" 4th June 1897

Four visitors to the Cotton household in 1891 were all connected to the theatre. There is nothing about the Perle brothers but there is an article about James Gill and his wife Kate:

James, Kate and Miss Rose Sidney also a music hall artiste were summoned to attend the Police Court at Colchester in May 1897. James was accused of assaulting Kate, Kate of assaulting James and Rose of assaulting James. Called to the scene, P.C. Fisher said that he found himself "in troubled waters" (laughter in court). James and Kate "did not get on" and Arthur Johnson, cellar man and barman at the Gaiety Theatre said that James was drunk which "was usual with him" and he added " if they got to bed two nights out of seven without words, it was a great thing". James accused Kate and Arthur of being "husband and wife". Rose had a black eye and asked to explain it, said that she suffered from epilepsy, had fallen in a fit and hit the bridge of her nose. "This is my misfortune" she said "not my fault". James returned to the house one morning to find it unlit. He went to his wife's room and asked for matches. She replied "Get your lights where you have been to" and struck him in the mouth. Rose came to her door saying it was not Kate's fault, she had put the lights out. James said "who are you?" and Rose flew at him, hitting him in the eye. Mr Gowen, defending James, said he was not drunk and did not strike either woman but he did admit to telling Rose to go back to Aldershot and calling her "Mrs Johnson".

The magistrate dismissed all charges and ordered the parties to pay their own costs. This decision was greeted by the court with laughter and applause.

See also article in Colchester Chronicle May 1897.