Charles was born in the winter of 1819-20 in the village of Tewin, Hertfordshire which lies between Hertford and Welwyn. His father, Robert was a hurdle maker and he and his wife, Jane, had nine children. Charles was the youngest of four sons.  Charles was still at home in 1841 aged 21.

 

Tewin is not a large village, and as Charles was a hurdle maker with competition from his father and two brothers it was perhaps for this reason that he left the village and travelled seven miles west to Hill End, which is about a mile south-east of Preston.

 

This was Charles’ home when he married Elizabeth Breed on 8 December 1849 at St Marys Church, Hitchin. She was one of 14 children born to William (a farm labourer) and Elizabeth Breed who lived in the parish of Kings Walden, Herts. When they married, Charles, who was probably illiterate, made a mark while Elizabeth was able to sign her name, although she too marked her husband’s death certificate. Their marriage witnesses were William Cannon (a farm labourer) and one of Elizabeth’s sisters, Catharine Breed.

 

Four months after their marriage, their first child, Lydia, was born at nearby Fogmore. The parish record of 13 April 1850 mentions that she was privately baptized which usually indicates a problem with the health of either the newly-born child or the mother which prevented a visit to the baptismal font. But both survived the experience (of the birth, and the baptism!). A year later, in 1851, Charles, Elizabeth and Lydia were living with Elizabeth’s parents at Ley Green, Kings Walden.

 

More children were born - Margaret (baptized 4 Jan 1852), Henry (baptized 5 Dec 1852) and Alfred (born 16 April 1858). The births of the first two were at Breachwood Green, Kings Walden but Alfred was born in Charlton.

 

Charles was a journeyman carpenter/hurdlemaker who evidently hired out his services by the day. A glimpse of his character is provided by a court case when he was fined for assaulting another hurdlemaker. The Hertfordhire Mercury (March 1860) carried this report:

 

 

 

 

 

By 1861, the family had settled at Austage End. This is a small lane flanked by two farms (Wants End and Leggatts)  that winds with little purpose for about half a mile before petering out. There were just four or five homes scattered along the lane and here Charles lived for the rest of his life.

 

More children - Arthur (1861) and Elizabeth Jane (1867) - were born here and were baptized together with Alfred on 8 March 1868. Finally, Robert Henry was born and baptized (11 October 1874) when Charles was 54 years old.

 

Charles was probably disinterested in the education of his children - Alfred was first sent school at the age of seven.

 

Charles died at the relatively early age of 64 on 10 April 1884 from a stricture or narrowing of the oesophagus (the tube from the back of the mouth to the stomach). It is caused by acid being regurgitated from the stomach which produces heartburn. This affects the cells of the oesophagus and swallowing becomes painful and difficult. Smoking and alcohol consumption contribute to the condition.

 

In 1891, Elizabeth was living with her son, Arthur, for company at Holly Cottages, near ‘The Plough’ inn at Kings Walden.  For several years she had supported her family as a straw plaiter. She died in March 1896 aged 77.

 

‘Charles Ray (sic) of Kings Walden was charged with committing an assault on Henry Hill. It appeared both men are hurdle-makers and because some gentleman had employed Hill, defendant went to him at his work and committed the assault complained of. Fined £1 and costs.’

                    Above, the lane to Austage End                            Above, the view at the bottom of the lane from Austage End

Sources: Censuses 1841-1891; Parish records of Kings Walden; Hertfordshire Mercury - by kind permission of Hertfordshire Mercury; Breachwood Green school log book; Marriage and death certificates.

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Charles Wray, my great grandfather, appears to have been an unremarkable man. At least he was a cut above the ubiquitous ‘Ag. Lab.’, being a hurdler maker/carpenter which indicates a skill or specialization. He migrated a few miles from his family home in Tewin, Hertfordshire to Hill End, near Preston, in search of work. Once his roots were planted at Austage End, in the parish of Kings Walden, there he remained - content to work and rear seven children.