Thomas Blayney, tailor of London link
including a New Zealand branch

 

Thomas Blayney who died 1819 and descendants

The oral tradition is that this branch of Greater London Blayneys descended from Irish Blayneys, moving after an inter-family religious feud. Recent research has placed this story in doubt, at least as it applies to our Thomas Blayney line. Our Blayneys certainly became non-conformists while some appeared to be agnostic (or non-religious).

We have, with the help of a number of others, particularly Terry Muff [804], Kevin McKenzie [145], and more recently Sarah Callen [1326] been able to establish a relatively clear line of descent all the way from the first Blayney (Evan of Tregynon, Wales) to our Thomas.
See the ancestry of Thomas Blayney born 1768/9 - 1819

Here is a mix of information received from Terry Muff [804], Kevin McKenzie [145] and Sarah Callen [1326] descended from Thomas Blayney (1827-1913), Ian Blayney [127], descended from Frederick Blayney (1840/1-?1894/5), Bob Bowles [143], descended from Harriet Blayney (1824-1897), Michael (& Juliet) Blayney [148], descended from Benjamin Blayney (1829-1897), Jane Gibson [149], descended from Francis Blayney (1839-1903) and my family, descended from Alexander Blayney (1843-1924). Other information comes from some secure Internet info, as well as information obtained from memories and histories of living New Zealand Blayneys (some now deceased). Terry's list of Thomas & Rebecca Blayney's children has nine matches with my list [shown in bold], including the correct birth year for my g-grandfather Alexander, so I am more than confident Terry is my 3rd Cousin once removed. Names of children of Thomas & Rebecca confirmed by census or BDM records are underlined

Research by Terry Muff [804] linked to that from Robert (Bob) Blayney and Kevin Mckenzie has identified the link back to Montgomeryshire which you can see in my Link page.

Terraced houses of same 
style of Ashford St Hackney

 


Victorian Cheapside, by
T H Shepherd, engraver W Wallis

 


Linendraper
 1818

 


Willcox & Gibbs sowing machine

In 1871 Willcox & Gibbs were 

based at 150 Cheapside (3 doors

 away from where the Blayney 

firm had been). They may have

made tailers redundant.
 

 

 

1 Thomas BLAYNEY b.1768/9 (Shoreditch); d.1819 (London)
  One oral tradition had him as the son of a shoemaker, and the evidence uncovered
  by T Muff had the parents of Thomas as Richard and Mary BLAYNEY of London]. 
  However in order to fit with Thomas being 50 when he died in 1819, Kevin McKenzie
  now thinks it is more than likely that a generation was missed and his father was 
  one Thomas BLAYNEY, b.14Aug1754, the son of said Richard [145]. 
  
I agree with Kevin and so this genealogy has this Thomas "the Tailor" BLAYNEY (1768/9-1819) marrying 
Priscilla Charlotte SARGEANT and being the son of Thomas BLAYNEY (1754-1816) and Mary Williams STEED
  Thomas (d.1819) learned his trade working for his cousin Richard, (son of Rev Blayney)
  and James Smith (Haberdasher) at 156 Cheapside [854]. He subsequently worked 
  as a tailor at No 2 St Agnes (Well) Circus, Old St Road, Finsbury 1808 to 1816,
  [see the Blayney London]. Variously named Mr, Thomas or Thos Blayney, Blany or Blaney.
  He also appears to have learnt his trade from James Smith in the haberdashery shop at 156 Cheapside from James Smith.
  Thomas died 1819; bur.4Jul1819 (Bethnal Green) [Non-Conformist Record Index RG4-8] [1263] 
  The death at age 50 in 1819 is inconsistent with him being the Thomas who married 
  Mary Holmes, previously presumed to be his first wife but now possibly this Mary married 
  his father or was not directly related - see  Thomas & Mary BLAYNEY m.1780 
 + Priscilla Charlotte SARGEANT b.2Mar1775; 
   bpt.29Mar1775 (St Luke, Old Street) ; m.4Aug1795 (St Luke Old Street, Finsbury, London).
   [d/o William SARGEANT (1735-1816) and Susanna WISDOM (1735-1806); 
   d.Mar1841 in Bethnal Green.]
   Two children identified, Thomas & Elizabeth, and probably a third (Arthur) is 
   likely [145].
   More recently three more children of Priscilla have been identified by researcher
   Sarah Callen [1326], namely Ephraim, Isaac and Jonah. It would appear that Thomas 
   wasn't particularly reliable in registering these births. 
  2 Thomas BLAYNEY b.1796 (1797) See Thomas below.
  2 Joseph BLAYNEY b.1803; d.13Sep1846 (London Hosp) ("Dropsy" [probable Congestive Heart Failure])
    Age in 1841 Census given as 35, implying a DOB of ~1806
    Age at death given as 48 implying a DOB of 1798
    Fishmonger; Man Servant.
  2 Elizabeth BLAYNEY b.7Sep1805, bap.31Aug1830 (St Leonards, Shoreditch) [1263]; d.1858
   + Joseph WRIGHT m.1829 (St Luke Old St) 
     See the Elizabeth BLAYNEY family
     and   
  2 Arthur BLAYNEY b.1812 (St Lukes); grocer/milkman/dairyman/watercress grower
    d.3May1884 (Holloway Prison, Middlesex) aged 72 [130] (paralysis)

Wrongly accused of keeping a pig in a place which endangered health (not his pig). He was late to the hearing on 28 April because of difficulty walking, was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to a month's hard labour as he couldn't pay the £4 fine. He was excused from the hard labour by the prison surgeon because of his condition but died on 3 May. [1326]
   + Elizabeth HANSON b.1818 (Shoreditch); m.02Oct1838 (Bethnal Green) [130] [1396] 
     Admitted to Hoxton House asylum 1872 then Essex Lunatic Asylum 1876 (13yr); 
     d.16Oct1889 (Essex Lunatic Asylum); (exhaustion from melancholia)
     [dau. of John HANSON] 


Bill Blayney

Bill's wife

  
    3  William (Bill) Cornelius BLAYNEY b.Q3.1839 (Bethnal Green); 
      chr.1840; d.1895 (Hackney) [130] [1396]; d.1895; 
      Occ. Warehouseman then Green Grocer.
      [Previously William was thought to be a son of Thomas and Rebecca but 
       while he appeared to be treated like a son (as demonstrated by photos 
       held by Alexander's son Thomas, my grandfather), he was in fact the son 
       of Arthur, not Thomas [1267]].
     +  Mary Ann TINSON Mary Ann TINSON b.Q3.1841 (?Chippenham) 
       or 1831 (Mile End Old Town, London); 
       m.21Aug1864 (Saint Matthew, Bethnal Green) [130] [1263]; d.1903
       See the Bill BLAYNEY family
 
    3 Walter Hanson BLAYNEY b.(Sep)1841 (Bethnal Green) [130]; Warehouseman in 1861  
      Emm to NZ ?arriving Auckland, 4Feb1884 on the Manapouri [131]



Previously Walter was also thought to be a possible son of Thomas and Rebecca as he lived at the same address (Argyle Street Morningside, Auckland) as Alexander Henry BLAYNEY my great-grandfather). He was in fact the son of Arthur, confirmed by his Will making his sister Mary Ann DAVIES his sole heir [1502], making him Alex's cousin.

 
      Walter Hanson BLAYNEY, Settler was fined 5s (7s costs) for leaving his 
      cart unattended (Beach Road, 1900)! He sold land in Avondale 1911 [499] 
      d.unm.11Jun1914 (Edendale Auckland) [122] [142] [865] Probate 20Jul1914 [1502]
      His Death Duties came to £1,248 in 1915 [1250].
      Bur. Waikumete Cemetery
 
    3 Joseph BLAYNEY (BLANEY) b.Q1.1847 (Bethnal Green) [130]; Milkman in 1861; Builder in 1881;
      Confectioner in 1891 and Bricklayer in 1901; d.Sep1914; bur.10Sep1914
     +(1) Caroline FOLEY b.~1850; m.13Jan1873 (St Mark, Myddleton Square); 
          d.1875; bur.20May1875 (Leyton, Essex)
     +(2) Eliza BRAZIER née GILL b.Q1.1845 (Kensington); 
         m.22Jun1878 (St Peters, West Hackney)
        [widow of William BRAZIER, dau. of John GILL, bootmaker]
      4 Eliza BLAYNEY b.Q2.1872 (Shoreditch) 
    3 Sarah Ann BLAYNEY b.Q3.1849 (Poplar) [130] [1396]
     +(1) William Frederick SMITH m.3Feb1880 (Bethnal Green); d≤ 1886
          [son of Henry Smith (Tailor)]
     +(2) Benjamin COTTON m.18Apr1886 (Bethnal Green)
          [son of Benjamin Cotton (Shoemaker)]
    3 Emma BLAYNEY b.Q4.1851 (Bethnal Green) [130] [1396]   id="MAD">
    3 Mary Ann BLAYNEY b.Q3.1853 (Bethnal Green) [130] Walter Hanson BLAYNEY 1502] 
     + William DAVIES b.1851 (Poplar); m.28Feb1878 (Bethnal Green); 
       d.<1911 (when the Census had Mary Ann Davis as a widow) or d.1928;
       Mariner {son of William DAVIES, also a Mariner]
      4 Ada DAVIES b.1876 (Islington)
      4 Lily DAVIES b.1877 (Islington)
      4 Mary Ann Maria DAVIES b.23Nov1878; Reg. 4Jan1879 (Hackney) 
      4 Amy DAVIES b.1879 (Battersea)
      4 William DAVIES b.1882 (Hackney)
      4 Arthur Stanley DAVIS b.1884 (St Giles)
      4 Albert Victor DAVIES b.1888 (Islington)
      4 Florence DAVIES b.1889 

    3 ?Ebeneza ?Blayney (a soldier)
    3 Ephraim BLAYNEY b.~1814 (Shoreditch); d.21Nov1844 (St Leonard's Workhouse, Shoreditch)

    3 Jonah BLAYNEY b.Q2.1857 (Bethnal Green) [130]; 
      d.Aug1863, bur.4Aug1863 (City of London & Tower Hamlets Cemetery) [6y3m] 
   
  2 Isaac BLAYNEY b.~1815; d.1855 (Bethnal Green Union House); bur 9Mar1855
     [?37 in 1851 Census; 39 at death]; Occ.: Tailor

  2  Thomas BLAYNEY b.29Oct1796 (1797) (Finsbury) 
    chr.10Nov1797 St Matthew, Bethnal Green [152] 
    Occ. Journeyman Tailor. d.Sep1854 (Hackney Wick) of Cholera. 
   + Rebecca LAMBERT (LAMBBERT) b.27Dec1804 [1511] Bethnal Green / Hackney, London,
     chr. 1804 Bethnal Green [152];  
     d.30June1889 (Watford) (Dementia and Decay) [Death Cert] [BDM], [130]
     [dau. of Francis LAMBERT (1759-1847) and Mary SMITH b.1770 [1511]]
     m.15Oct1823 (St Matthew, Bethnal Green) [127] [128];
     Witness was Elizabeth, the sister of Thomas consistent with a pre 1823 death
     of Thomas Blayney b.1754.
     General Shop keeper (1861)
     Living with son Henry Alexander Blayney at 1881 Census
     Staying with son Frederick at her death


A description of conditions in Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, and a story about an apprentice tailor named Thomas is given on the Blayney London page. 

     
The 1841 Ossulstone Census has Thomas listed as 40 (he was about 45) and 
     Rebecca as 35 (she was 36), but the children generally match. They were 
     more accurate in 1851 [See 1841 & 1851 Census returns here.]

     
Oral tradition is that there were up to 17 children! [142] and while I did 17 names from various sources, (having eliminated those belonging to Thomas b.1820) it turns out  some were cousins, not siblings and others are without sufficient evidence, so I have appended them here.

     
There are only 11 in the 1841, 1851 or 1861 census lists [see here but researcher Sarah Callen [1326] has DNA evidence to confirm a 12th (Matilda). I have therefore listed those names with confirming evidence in large and bold as well as being underlined.]
     
Interestinly Mary Ann's two older and two younger brothers (the four oldest boys)  all married a (separate) Mary Ann!


Harriet (oldest)
 

Harriet in sepia

    3  Harriet BLAYNEY b.22Oct1824 (Middlesex, England); 
      d.9Jan1897 (Syracuse, Onondaga, NY.)  
     + Shadrach (Shadrack) RAVEN b.10Jan1824 (Willingham, Cambridge); Tailor
       m.27May1844 (Spitalfields Christ Church, Stepney, London) [143] [868]
       They lived at 27 Whiler St. In 1854 they moved with their children to USA,
       settling in Syracuse NY in 1855; 
       d.30Aug1883 (Syracuse, Onondaga, NY.) [904]
       [son of Richard and Rebecca (TALL) RAVEN]
       See the Harriet BLAYNEY family

    3 Beatrice (Beatie) BLAYNEY b.1825 
      I don't think she was the Beatie I have photos of.
      Sister to Harriet Raven (born Blayney) and names of 15 more siblings [1380] 

    3 Catherine Rachel BLAYNEY b.1826 [1513]; Catherine Rachel BLAYNEY
      d.31Aug1849 (Hackney) age 24 of Cholera [Death cert] [1511]
     + Richard Thomas William MORRIS b.19Mar1824 (Shoreditch); m.1Mar1847 (St Phillips, Bethnal Green) with
       Shadrach Raven as witness. Ivory Turner.
       See the Catherine Morris née BLAYNEY family

    3 Matilda BLAYNEY b.1827 (Hackney);
      Emigrated to Australia 1857; d.6Dec1870 (Collingwood, Victoria) [1517]
      [dau of Thomas Blayney and ??Harriet Lambert (?error) [1517]]
     + George Alexander STEPHENS b.1822 (Whitechapel, London); 
       d.17Aug1889 (Collingwood, Victoria, Australia); Brickmaker (1851 Census)
       [son of George Alexander Stephens and Elizabeth Anne Jane Cochrane]
      4 Eliza STEPHENS b.1847 (Whitechapel); d.1930 (Victoria)
       + Richard GOOSMANN / GOOSMAN m. Victoria, Australia
        5 Frederica M GOOSMAN 1884-1979
         + ____ 
          6 Arthur J HUTCHINSON 1924-2018 
      4 Matilda STEPHENS b.1849 (Whitechapel, London); d.1892
      George then married twice more..... 


Tom Blayney b.1827

Benjamin b.1829

 



Rebecca Blayney

 



Mary Ann Needham

Mary & Robert Needham

 
 


Frederick Blayney

Martha wife of Fred B

 


Alexander Blayney


Rebecca Blayney
 


      m.(2) (Margaret) Phoebe Ann McCORMACH b.1842; d.1906 (Collingwood, Victoria)
       [dau. of Laurence McCormach and Ann Dockery] 
      4 Four children: Phoebe Ann (1873-1874); George Alexander (b.1874); 
        Alexander Albert Edward (1876-1941) and Arthur William STEPHENS (1879-1941)
      m.(3) Mary Ann WARD b.1862 (Ascot Vale, Victoria); d.1905 (Hotham, Victoria)
      4 William Alexander STEPHENS (1880-1882)
 
    3  Thomas BLAYNEY b.17Apr 1827, 1828 or 1829 (Hackney);  Cabinet Maker,
      presumably a more profitable business than haberdashery, particularly  
      with cheap imported goods flooding the market in the later 19th century. 
      d.Q4.1913 (Bethnal Green) 
      Thomas "married" four times (only two registered):
     +(1) Mary Ann HARRISS  m.Sep1850 (Hackney) [130]
     +(2) Emily Martha Pain GRIMWOOD, a dressmaker m~1864
     +(3) Rosina m.1878/81. [804])
     +(4) Sophia HARTMAN née ARENDT m.9Sep1888 (St Marks church, Bow)
      See the Thomas Blayney (1827-1913) family [Public Page] or
      See the Thomas Blayney (1827-1913) family  [passworded page]

      NOTE: This is not the same person as the Thomas b.1820, who was
      born, married (to Margaret, not a Mary Ann) and died in Wales.

    3  Benjamin BLAYNEY b.1829 (Whitechapel); chr.1830 Bethnal Green [152]
      d.Mar1898 (Hackney) [130] Dealer in Poultry
      Listed as Benjiman BLAYNEY, Salesman, age 52 in the 
      1881 British Census [804] 
     + Mary Ann HARLING b.1832; d.1903 they had 9 Children.
       See the Benjamin BLAYNEY family

    3  Rebecca Jemima BLAYNEY  b.~1832; Chr.15Mar1846 (South Hackney)  
      Occ. 1851 "Servant"; Sailed to Australia in 1857 arriving 15Sep1857 [1327]; d.Q3.1866 (Hackney)
     +(1)John McCARTHEY b. Cork; m.26Dec1859 (St Peters, Eastern Hill, Bourke, Victoria);
       Witnesses were George and Matilda Stephens (sister of Rebecca)
       d.1867; Polisher
       [son of Edmund McCARTHEY and Mrs McCARTHY née O'BRIEN]
       Six months after the marriage, Rebecca returned to London alone.
       [1861 UK Census had the family as "Blaney" and 
       Rebecca McCarthey as a daughter[371]
     +(2)Thomas NICHOLS (a lodger at the Blayney's place, Rebecca was living next door.)
       [son of Richard Nichols]
       m.7Feb1864 (St James the Great, Bethnal Green); d.Q3.1865
       [Rebbecca was stated to be a widow, which was a little premature [1326], so
        if she had left John M and not divorced him, this marriage could have legally
        been bigamous. Her surname was recorded as McCarthy.]
       4 Rebecca NICHOLS b.5Dec1864 (Sth Hackney, England) (Birth Cert.);
         bpt.1Jan1865 (St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney)          
       4 Harriet NICHOLS bpt.15Apr1866 (St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney)
         It would appear she was born after the death of her father (if his death date is accurate) and
         along with her sister, orphaned later in 1866 (if her mother's death was accurate)

    3  Mary Ann BLAYNEY b.1835 chr.1835 Bethnal Green [152]
     +(1)George WEBB
     +(2)Robert Stephen NEEDHAM
       See the Mary Ann NEEDHAM née BLAYNEY family

    3 Samuel (Sam) BLAYNEY b.(Sep)1837 (Bethnal Green) [BDM]; 
       chr.1838 (Bethnal Green) [152]
       Occ. Milkman and/or Policeman
     + Mary Ann FRANCIES m.(Jun1857 (Bethnal Green) 
       See the Samuel BLAYNEY family

    3 Francis (Frank) BLAYNEY b.Mar1839 (Bethnal Green);
      chr.1839 (Bethnal Green) [152]
      d.1903; Occ. cabinet maker in Bow [10]
     + Mary Ann HARVEY m.Dec1859 [130]]
       See the Francis BLAYNEY family

    3  Frederick BLAYNEY b.1841; chr.1841 Bethnal Green [152] 
      occ: Cabinet Maker; d.1894/5 
     +  Martha BARRETT of Cork, Ireland. b.1842
       m.Sep1864 [BDM] at St Mary, Bow but they moved to Hackney (London). 
       See the Fred BLAYNEY family

    3  Alexander Henry BLAYNEY My great-grandfather, 
      A.K.A. Henry Alexander BLAYNEY [1268] but using Alexander by 1861 Census
      b.Sep1842 (St Luke, London); chr.1843 Bethnal Green [152], 
      16th of 17 children [142]; Occ. Cabinet Maker (1881)
      Em. to New Zealand in 1893; d.11Sep1924
     +  Rebecca (Beckie) NICHOLS b.Q1.1865 (Hackney, England); 
       m.1893 (no UK or NZ record) so probably on shipboard;
       d.22Aug1948 (Auckland) age 83 (Brain tumour)
       See Alexander & Rebecca's family [Public Page] or
       See Alexander & Rebecca's family  [passworded page] 

    3 Percival BLAYNEY b.Q1.1844 (Hackney), chr.1844 Bethnal Green [152]; d.Jun1897.
      This name suggests (but not prove) a reasonably close link with the
      Blayney-Percival "African line". 
     + Emma ("Emily") Elizabeth COLE b.1849 (Haggerston, London); m.Mar1869 (Hackney) [130]
     See Percival's family

Names excluded from the "17 siblings" (children of Thomas and Rebecca) [1] The following are actually children of Thomas Blayney (1820-75), who has been confused by some with our Thomas Blayney. These ARE NOT candidates for the 17! Hayster BLAYNEY [No records] Edward BLANEY (em. to Cincinnati, USA); + Mary [2] The following are uncles or cousins, not siblings so are also removed: Arthur BLAYNEY [See Arthur BLAYNEY] and his children... William Cornelius BLAYNEY [See William Cornelius BLAYNEY] Walter Hanson BLAYNEY [See Walter Hanson BLAYNEY] Walter William BLAYNEY (1833-1921) [See Walter Hanson BLAYNEY] [3] The following just have insufficient evidence, so are also removed: Mary Ann PARISH b.1834 in Ashreigney, Devon Elizabeth (Lizzie) BLAYNEY [?confusion with Bill's daughter, Elizabeth (Eliza)] Robena or Martha BLAYNEY [?confusion with Martha Barrett née Blayney] Nathan BLAYNEY [no records]