A Family History of the Thorp Family

Commissioned by Mark & Adi Thorp (March 2019)

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the contents within the report are accurate, it should be recognised that errors and omissions can inadvertently be made.

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A Family History of the Thorp Family

The surname ‘Thorp’ is a locational surname that is of Anglo-Saxon and Old Scandinavian origin. People in the Middle Ages used the name of the place they originated from as their surname. Consequently, people who came from any of the places in England that had the Old Norse or Old Danish element ‘thorp’ used this as their surname. ‘Thorp’ in a place name indicates it was originally an area of Danish settlement, with the term meaning a small farmstead or hamlet that was dependent on nearby village.

Like many surnames, Thorp has several spelling variations including Thorpe, Throp, Thropp and Thrupp. Before English spelling was standardised, variations in the spelling of surnames were common, with elements of Latin, French and other languages being incorporated through the Middle Ages. In addition, scribes and Church Officials commonly spelt surnames the way they sounded, which meant surnames could change several times in a person’s lifetime. Indeed, several examples of variations in spelling came to light whilst undertaking the research into the Thorp family and are highlighted later in the report.

According to the ‘Forebears’ website, ‘Thorp’ is the 33,301st most common surname in the world and the 2,081st most common in England!

The research in this report is based on the following information provided by the clients:

Martin Gerald Thorp was born on the 15th September 1931 and was the second of four sons of Sydney Richard Thorp and Elizabeth Margaret (Peggy) nee de Moraville. Sydney Richard Thorp was born on the 3rd January 1898, the son of Richard Thorp (born 30th January 1830, died 14th June 1914 and was buried at Wandsworth cemetery) and Clara Emily Soper (born 5th June 1867 and died 18th October 1923). Richard and Clara married on the 2nd March 1898 at Lee, SE London. The couple also had a daughter, Margaret Emily Thorp (born 11 July 1899) who married Russell Gurney. Richard Thorp also had brothers Alfred (a Stockbroker) and William; and sisters Matilda and Frances, the last 3 were unmarried and lived together at Muswell Hill. Copies of several letters of condolence and photos were also supplied by the client.

Research began using the English civil registration records, where since July 1837, it has been a legal requirement to register all births, marriages and deaths. Using these records and some additional information supplied by the clients, the report starts with Martin Gerald Thorp, who as the clients are aware, was born on the 15th September 1931 in Farnham, Surrey and was the second of four sons. Martin went on to marry Gillian Mary Ramdeholl, nee Dyson, in Hendon in 1971. Martin’s wife, Gillian Mary was herself born on the 10th March 1939 in Barnet and had previously married Colin Ramdeholl in 1963.

Martin’s older brother, Richard John Thorp, was born on the 3rd June 1929 in Bradfield, Berkshire. He joined the Royal Navy and reached the rank of lieutenant. Tragically, he was killed when the motor-cycle he was riding was in a collision with a ‘royal blue motor-coach’ in Portsmouth on the evening of 7th February, 1952. He is buried at the Haslar Royal Navy Cemetery, Gosport.

Martin’s two younger brothers have both married, with Charles Henry Thorp (b 27th May 1937 in Farnham, Surrey) marrying Barbara Mary Owen on the 28th December 1963, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire and Rupert Francis Thorp (b 3rd March 1942 in Thornbury, Gloucestershire) marrying Rosemary Jane Cooper on the 5th March 1966 at Budleigh Salterton. Rupert and Rosemary lived out in New Zealand, however, following Rosemary’s death in 1991 of Malaria, which she

contracted whilst in Indonesia, Rupert returned to the UK and later married Mary Robinson in 1994.

Martin’s father is Sydney Richard Thorp who was born on the 3rd January 1898 in Wandsworth, London to Richard Thorp and his wife Clara Emily, nee Soper. At the time of the 1901 census, the family were living at ‘Homelea’, Portinscale Road, Wandsworth. Also listed is Sydney’s younger sister, Margaret Emily, who too was born in Wandsworth on the 11th July 1899. In addition, the family had 5 servants living at the address, which included two nurses, a cook and a parlour maid.

Ten years later, the family were still living at ‘Homelea’ which, according to the 1911 census, had 14 rooms, not including bathrooms. Four servants are also listed, however, Sydney is not as he was away at Cheam boarding school, Surrey, where he is listed as being a ‘scholar’ aged 13 years old.

Soon after the outbreak of World War I, Sydney joined up and served with the 23rd Division of the Royal Field Artillery in France rising to the position of lieutenant.

Sydney Richard Thorp in his military uniform (Client’s Photo)

After the war, Sydney met and married Elizabeth Margaret Schmidle de Moraville (known as Peggy) in 1928 at Bradfield, Berkshire. ‘Peggy’ was born on the 29th April 1906 at Marylebone, London and was the daughter of John Maximillian Schmidle de Moraville (b 1863, d 30th July 1917, Oxford) and Olga Ilma Charlotte nee Behrend (b 1872 Trawden, Lancs, d 6 Dec 1947, Wallingford, Berks).

After the marriage the couple stayed in Bradfield, where their eldest son, Richard John, was born. However, soon after the family moved to ‘Stoney Hatch’ Shortheath Road, Farnham, Surrey where first Martin Gerald was born in 1931 and then Charles Henry in 1937.

However, by the 1939 England and Wales Register, the family had moved again to ‘The Grove’ in Thornbury, Gloucestershire and Sydney is listed as being a Major in the Territorial Army. Their fourth son, Rupert Francis was then born there in 1942.

At the time of Sydney’s wife’s death on the 1st November 1959, the family had moved once again and were living at ‘The Old Vicarage’, Higham, Suffolk, although ‘Peggy’ passed away at the National Hospital, Queen’s Square, London. When Sydney died on 30th August 1967, he was listed as living at ‘Fengate House’, Nayland, Suffolk.

Map showing the known locations and dates over the course of Sydney Richard Thorp’s life (Based on known evidence. Sydney may well have lived in the various locations for longer than the dates shown as well as living elsewhere)

Margaret Emily (Peggy) along with her older brother Sydney Richard (Client’s Photo)

Sydney’s sister Margaret Emily, who as previously stated, was born in Wandsworth on the 11th July 1899 was then baptised 13th August 1899 at the Holy Trinity Church in Wandsworth. She then married Russell Gurney (b 8th October 1890, Swanage) on the 26th April 1928 at St Paul’s Church, Upper Norwood, Croydon.

Just over a year after their marriage, Margaret gave birth to the first of their two children, Timothy Russell on the 16th June 1929. The following year, the couple are listed in the 1930 electoral register as living at 7 Gordon Road, Frimley, Surrey. This is where their second son, Thomas Jeremy Russell, was born on the 26th June 1934. However, by the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register, the couple were listed as living at ‘Ablington House’, Amesbury. The following year, they again moved, this time to Hayne House, Seaton, Devon. Margaret died in 1959, aged 60.

According to the clients, Russell Gurney was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, and played rugby for Northampton and the East Midlands. At the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted with The Royal Fusiliers, but was then given a temporary commission with the Northamptonshire Regiment, taking part in several battles including the Somme and Loos. He rose to the rank of Captain and served on Lord Plumer’s staff in France and Italy. Following the war, he continued to serve in the military where he joined the staff of British troops in Sudan during the Mutiny in Khartoum (1924-25). He was promoted to the rank

of Major in the Suffolk Regiment in 1928 and spent several years working in the War Office.

Russell Gurney (National Portrait Gallery)

In 1938, Russell was promoted again to Brigadier in Command of the Small Arms School. However, at the start of the Second World War, Russell was found to be medically unfit. Despite this, he was promoted to Major General in 1943 and became the ADC to the King in 1944. Russell also wrote several training manuals and books including ‘History of the Northampton Regiment’ and a spy story called ‘Devil or Man’, in collaboration with his wife Margaret. He retired in 1947, but later that year, passed away on the 29th June 1947 at ‘The Imperial Nursing Home’ in Cheltenham. He is buried in Seaton, Devon.

Returning to the Thorp family, Sydney and Margaret’s father, Richard Thorp was born on the 30th January 1830 in Monken Hadley, an ancient country village, north of Barnet. Today the settlement lies on the very edge of the Greater London conurbation. He was then baptised on the 28th February 1830 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Monken Hadley.

St Mary’s Parish Church, Monken Hadley c1807

Turning to the census returns, it is possible to trace the life of Richard Thorp from the 1841 census up to his death in 1914. The first decennial census of England and Wales was taken in 1801, however, personal information was only recorded from 1841 onwards. The limited amount of personal information recorded in this first census in 1841 tells us that Richard was still living in Hadley, along with his parents William and Frances, plus eight other brothers and sisters:

William Thorp Age 46 Francis Thorp Age 41 Alfred Thorp Age 14 Eliza Thorp Age 12 Richard Thorp Age 11 Maria Thorp Age 9 Harriet Thorp Age 7 Louisa Thorp Age 6 William Thorp Age 4 Matilda Thorp Age 2 Emily Thorp Age 1

Ten years later, at the time of the 1851 census, the family had moved down to Exeter. However, Richard remained in London and is listed as staying with his ‘cousin’ Mary Emma Dyson – a 38-year-old ‘Fund Holder’, born in Wickham, Suffolk. The address is listed as being 27 Portland Terrace, Marylebone and Richard is listed as working in the ‘Stock Exchange’.

In 1855, Richard marries is first wife, Helen Eyre in Lewisham. Helen was born on the 24th November 1822 in Maidstone, Kent, to Daniel Eyre (1778-1855), a surgeon and his wife Eliza, nee Price (1792-1846).

Following the death of her parents, Richard and Helen move into her family home at 5 Lee Place, Lee, Lewisham. This is where the couple are listed as living at the time of the 1861 census. Richard is listed as being aged 31 and a ‘member of the Stock Exchange’, while Helen is aged 37. The couple had 2 servants living with them at the time.

Between 1861 and 1871, the couple then move to 12 Manor Park, Lee, as this is where the couple are listed as living on the 1871 census. Richard is now aged 41 and is again listed as being a ‘member of the Stock Exchange’. Helen is listed as being aged 48 and also had her sister, Eliza Eyre, living with them along with 2 servants.

By the time of the 1881 census, the couple had moved again into what was to become the family home for rest of their lives – ‘Homelea’ in Portinscale Road, Wandsworth. Richard was again listed as being a ‘member of the Stock Exchange’ and Helen’s sister, Eliza Eyre, was still living with the couple along with 3 servants. According to the clients, Richard was in fact ‘secretary of the Stock Exchange’ and was also ‘on the governing body of several hospitals’.

It has not been possible to track down Richard on the 1891 census. Despite Richard still being alive, his wife, Helen, now aged 69, is listed as being the ‘Head’ of the household living at ‘Homelea’. At the time, she had a 40-year-old ‘companion’ called Rose Hammon from Switzerland and a 40-year-old ‘visitor’ by the name of Alice Cheeseman staying with her. One reason for Richard’s absence could be the fact that, according to the clients, he ‘ran away to sea’ and ‘travelled all over the world’.

Helen dies in the last few months of 1892 in Wandsworth. Five years later, Richard then marries Clara Emily Soper in Lewisham. Clara Emily was born on the 5th June 1867 and was the daughter of Henry Coles Soper and his wife Clara.

Following the wedding, Clara Emily moved into ‘Homelea’ with Richard and gave birth to their first child Sydney Richard a year later, on 3rd January 1898. Margaret Emily (Peggy) was then born on the 11th July 1899.

Clara Emily Soper (Client’s Photo)

As previously stated, the family were listed as living at ‘Homelea’ at both the 1901 and 1911 censuses, with the 1911 census being the latest census return open to the public. On the 1901 census, Richard is listed as being a ‘retired member of the Stock Exchange’ and a ‘retired dealer of the Stock Exchange’ on the 1911 census.

Richard passes away on the 14th June, 1914. Following his death, Clara Emily received 63 condolence letters, including the one on the next page. Clara was often known as Emily or referred to as ‘Mamie’. The client was unsure who wrote this letter as the signature was unclear. In the letter it refers to the writer as being ‘his eldest nephew’. The letter was in fact written by Alfred Thorp (b 1866) who was the son of one of Richard’s brothers – Alfred Thorp (1827-1901). Alfred actually had an older brother called Frederick, so it is unclear why he refers to himself as being the ‘eldest nephew’. However, proof of the fact Alfred wrote the letter comes in the form of the signature at the bottom of Alfred’s application to be admitted to the Freedom of the City of London on the 2nd August, 1905 (See next page).

Following the death of Richard, Clara Emily moved down to Devon and lived at ‘The Glen’, Seaton, where she died on the 18th October 1923.

Alfred’s condolence letter to ‘My dear Aunt Emily’ following the death of his uncle Richard Thorp

Alfred’s application to be admitted to the Freedom of the City of London - 1905

Looking again at the census returns, it is possible to go back a further generation, as the earlier census returns for Richard Thorp also show his parents. They are William Thorp and Frances. According to the censuses, William is listed as being born in the village of Bubwith, Yorkshire, in 1795. Bubwith is a small village on the east bank of the River Derwent, six miles north east of Selby. According to A.D. Mills’ book ‘A Dictionary of British Place Names’, the village name means ‘Bubba’s Wood’, with ‘Bubba’ being a Scandinavian male name.

Bubwith today (Yorkshire Life)

William Thorp marries Frances Booth on the 18th August, 1824 at St John’s church, Hackney. At the time, William was listed as living in the parish of Hadley. The couple then went on to have 10 children, all born in the Hadley parish:

Alfred b 1827 Eliza b 1828 Richard b 1830 Harriet b 1834 Louisa b 1835 William b 1837 Matilda b 1839 Emily b 1841 Frances b 1843 Mary Ann b 1845

On the 1841 census, William is listed as being 46 years old and a ‘Brewer and Malter’. William is also listed as being a ‘Brewer’ in the parish register entries for the baptism of several of his children (See end of report).

At some point after the birth of their last child, Mary Ann, the family move down to Devon as they are listed as living at 14 Radnor Place, Exeter St Leonard by the time of the 1851 census. At this time, William’s occupation is listed as being a ‘Proprietor of Houses’.

Ten years later, William and Frances had returned to London and on the 1861 census, they are listed as living at their eldest son Alfred’s house at 1 Bedford Place, Mare Street, South Hackney. Alfred is listed as being aged 34 and a ‘Merchant’s Clerk’. No occupation is listed for William, who is now aged 66. Also living at the address are 3 of Alfred’s sisters – Harriet (aged 27), Emily (aged 20) and Mary Ann (aged 16) – and Alfred’s brother William (age 24) who is listed as being a ‘Stockbroker’s Clerk’.

According to the electoral register of 1862, William was then living at York Terrace, De Beauvoir Town, Hackney. Four years later, in 1866, William passes away and was buried on 13th July at the St John of Jerusalem Church, Hackney. At the time of his death he was listed as living on St Philip’s Road, Dalston.

St John of Jerusalem Church, Hackney (Church website)

William’s wife, Frances Booth, was born in 1800. On the 1851 census, she is listed as being born in Tower Hamlets, although on the 1861 and 1871 censuses, it simply states ‘Middlesex, London’.

Following William’s death, Frances lived with several of her now grown up children at Graham Road, St Johns, Hackney, where she is listed as living at the time of the 1871 census. She then passes away in 1877 and is also buried at St John of Jerusalem Church on 13th March 1877.

At the beginning of the report, reference was made to the variation in the spelling of the surname Thorp. Several examples where ‘Thorp’ was mis-spelt came to light during the course of the research for this report. For example, the parish record for the baptism of Eliza Thorp – another of William and Frances’ children clearly shows the surname being recorded as ‘Thorpe’:

Date Child’s Parent’s Surname Abode Profession Who performed (1928) Name Names the ceremony

Taken from the Parish Records of St Mary’s Parish Church, Monken Hadley

When two more of William and Frances’ children – Frances and Mary Ann - were baptised in 1845, again the surname looks like it is listed as being ‘Thorpe’:

Taken from the Parish Records of St Mary’s Parish Church, Monken Hadley

Having been able to trace the ancestry back five generations from the clients to William Thorp, who was born in 1795, research has now come to a halt.

Although there may be further scope to go back further by searching for William Thorp’s baptism records in the Bubwith parish registers to find the names of his parents.

Alternatively, other avenues to explore could involve looking into the lives of William and Frances’ other children. As previously stated, one of Richard’s brothers had his own family, which included Alfred, who wrote the condolence letter contained in the report. It is also possible to trace back the ancestry of Martin Gerald’s wife – Gillian Mary Dyson.

Martin Booy

Explore Your Past – March 2019