BLEWETT BLEWITT BLUET genealogy	21 October 2008
		Dr Geoffrey Mann
BLEWETT family tree BLEWETT family summary BLEWETT ancestor chart		home page geoff.mann@btinternet.com
1 Amy J Blewett	2 Henry Michael BLEWETT 1866-1936	3 Henry Blewett
spouse's records	m Helena Annie BROOKBANKS 1886

Henry Michael was born in January 1866 in Stepney. His father was a sea captain who returned home briefly a few weeks later and registered the birth of his first son. In September, his mother took him to her home town of Mousehole in Cornwall to be baptised while his father was again at sea.

Henry Michael’s father was almost constantly at sea on the sailing ship Roseau throughout his childhood, though as the family home was near to the London docks, he would see him when he was home. But from an early age, he often accompanied his father on his voyages to St Vincent in the West Indies. The family story is that he first learned to walk on board ship.

At 14, he sailed on the last voyage his father was to make as Captain of the Roseau. The voyage to Cape Town, St Helena and St Vincent made a strong impression on his memory; on the way, his great friend, a ship’s apprentice, two years older than Henry M was washed overboard and drowned. Henry sailed several times more as a steward on steamships, and some of these voyages were made with his father. Known voyages include Jul-Sep1882 and Dec1882-Feb1883 on the Nith from London to Demerara.

In 1886 on his 20^th birthday, he married Helena Brookbanks. They had both previously witnessed the marriage of Henry’s sister, and perhaps this renewed their friendship, because the family story is that they were childhood sweethearts at school together. Another family story is that Helena agreed to marry him only if he gave up the sea. And in fact Henry Michael set up as a rope merchant in Stepney. In 1886/7 after their birth of their first child, however, they moved to Mousehole in Cornwall with their baby daughter, to join Henry Michael’s father. For a little while Henry M sailed on the Mousehole mackerel fishing boats, but in 1888 they returned to London and he never went to sea again.

Four more children were born in Stepney, moving from Portland St to Streatfield St to Burgess St. Here he ran a marine store business from at least 1897-1901. The business slowly thrived, extending into rags and rope making. Rags were sold to paper makers, rope ends were unpicked and made into oakum eventually in his own factory in Burdett Rd.

In 1900 the family moved to the suburbs of Leytonstone, and some time during the first world war, they moved to Southend, perhaps to be nearer the sea and to avoid air-raids. Further factories were opened in Weston St and Violet Wharf and around 1925, the family moved to a large house on the seafront at Thorpe Bay, built by the husband to be of Henry’s youngest daughter, Amy.

Henry Michael died of a gastric ulcer in 1936. I remember him in his house at Thorpe Bay with a telescope in the upstairs front room with which he would watch the shipping up and down the Thames. With twinkling eyes and a sense of humour, he was much loved by his grandchildren even though kissing his moustache was a strange experience! With four daughters known as Lena, Alice, Lily and Amy, he used the general name Aly for any of them. He never lost his love of the sea and told many sea stories to his older grandchildren.

EVENTS

C=Christened

age DATE HMB HB

EVENT

11Jan1866 ...... 18Feb1866 ...... 19Feb1866 ...... 26Sep1866 ...... 2Apr1871 .5.... 12Oct1880 14.... 27Dec1881 15.... 10Mar1881 15.... 26Jny1882 16.... 2Jun1882 16.... 28Jul1882 16.... 15Dec1882 17.... 18Jul1883 18.18. 1885 19.18. 11Jan1886 20.20. 19Nov1886 20.21. 16Jul1888 22.23. 20Dec1890 24.25. 5Apr1891 25.25. 4Sep1895 29.30. c Feb1897 31.31. 11Mar1899 33.33. ? Aug1900 34.35. 31may1901 35.35. 1901 35.35. 31May1917 51.51. ? 1917 51.51. ? 1925 59.59. ? 1926 60.60. 1Aug1936 70.70. 15Sep1945 -- 80.

Henry M born at Guardham St, Stepney, son of Henry Blewett, a sea captain Henry M’s father arrived in London from St Vincent on Spheroid Henry M’s father registered the birth at Mile End and sailed again on 2 March C at Paul, Cornwall; [Henry’s father was at sea at this time] census; scholar with his mother and two sisters at Gardham St, Stepney made several voyages on Roseau to St Vincent with his father as captain moved with family to Rectory Square, Stepney sailed on last voyage of Roseau from Cardiff arrived Cape Town arrived St Vincent, West Indies; returned to Greenock 14May sailed as a steward on steamship Nith with his father London to Demerara; returned 16March sailed as a steward on steamship Nith with his father London to Demerara; returned 25July sailed as a steward on steamship Nith with his father London to Demerara; returned 17September sailed as a steward on steamship Nith with his father London to Demerara; returned 10Feb1883 witnessed marriage of sister, Mary; Helena Brookbanks also a witness left the sea and set up as a rope merchant married Helena Brookbanks (on his 20^th birthday) at St Dunstan, Stepney dau Helena Mary born at 52 Portland St moved to Mousehole, Cornwall, with his parents; joined fishing fleet (letters dated Jul-Sep1887) returned to London dau Elizabeth Alice Elsie born at 52 Portland Street Henry Arthur born at 13 Streatfield St at 13 Streatfield St with wife and 2 children; Henry was a marine store dealer dau Helena admitted to Thomas St girls school; address: 64 Burgess St dau Henrietta Lillian born dau Amy Janet born at 64 Burgess St moved to 7 Wallwood Rd Leytonstone with family and mother at 7 Wallwood Rd Leytonstone; Henry was a rag merchant listed as a marine store dealer at 64 Burgess St in PO directory made last will, leaving all to wife; address 12 Bowen St, Poplar, rope and paper stock merchant moved to 49 Old Southend Rd, next door to his sister Lily BOOTH moved to new house Kynance on sea-front at Thorpe Bay family holiday in Switzerland died at Victoria Nursing Home, Kings Rd, Westcliff wife Helen died at 175 Ambleside Drive, Southend, home of daughter Lilian DUNLOP

PRINCIPAL RECORDS

b=born m=married d=died

C=Christened B=Buried

BIRTH

certificate

b 11Jny1866 Henry Michael boy, at 8 Guardham Street

f: Henry BLEWETT master mariner; m: Jane BLEWETT formerly WRIGHT

r 19Feb1866 at Mile End Old Town, Western, by Henry BLEWETT of 8 Guardham Street, Mile End

C 26Sep1866 Henry Michael at Mousehole Methodist b 11Jny1866 son of Henry & Jane BLEWETT, Mousehole, mariner

MARRIAGE

certificate

m 11Jan1886 at Stepney St Dunstan after banns

Henry Michael BLEWETT bch 20,rope merchant, of 11 Rectory Square & Helena Annie BROOKBANKS spr 20 of 113 Stepney Green

f:Henry BLEWETT master mariner; James BROOKBANKS dairyman; wit: C T BROOKBANKS, Emma{?} GAINES, Elizabeth Jessie COOPER

[gardens of 11 Rectory Square and 113 Stepney Green backed on to each other]

DESCENDANTS

b 19Nov1886 Helena Mary, at 52 Portland St

b 16Jul1888 Elizabeth Alice Elsie, at 52 Portland Street

b 20Dec1890 Henry Arthur, at 13 Streatfield St

b 1q1897 Henrietta Lillian, Stepney [from GRO index]

b 11Mar1899 Amy Janet, at 64 Burgess St

certificates

b 19Nov1886 Helena Mary girl at 52 Portland St

f: Henry Michael BLEWETT rope merchant; m: Helena Annie BLEWETT formerly BROOKBANKS

r 30Dec1886 by H M BLEWETT father of 52 Portland St, Mile End at Mile End Old Town, MDX

b 16Jul1888 Elizabeth Alice Elsie girl, at 52 Portland Street

f: Henry Michael BLEWETT general dealer; m: Helena Mary BLEWETT formerly BROOKBANK

r 24Aug1888 at Mile End Old Town, Western by H M BLEWETT of 52 Portland Street, Mile End

b 20Dec1890 Henry Arthur boy at 13 Streatfield St

f: Henry Michael BLEWETT rope merchant; m: Helena Annie BLEWETT formerly BROOKBANKS

r 13Jan1891 at Limehouse Stepney by H A BLEWETT of 13 Streatfield St Limehouse

b 11Mar1899 Amy Janet girl at 64 Burgess St

f: Henry Michael BLEWETT general dealer; m: Helena Annie BLEWETT formerly BROOKBANKS

r 21Apr1899 by H M BLEWETT of 64 Burgess St Limehouse at Limehouse, Stepney London

DEATH

certificates

d 1Aug1936 Henry Michael BLEWETT male age 70 at Victoria Nursing Home, Kings Rd, Westcliff on Sea, U.D, paper stock merchant,

of Kynance, Thorpe Esplanade, Thorpe Bay U.D; cause: gastric ulcer

r 1Aug1936 at Southend on sea, Rochford by H.A BLEWETT widow of deceased, in attendance, of Kynance Thorpe Esplanade, Thorpe Bay

d 15Sep1945 Helena Ann BLEWETT female age 80 at 175 Ambleside Drive, Southend on Sea U.D

widow of Henry Michael BLEWETT rope merchant; cause: cardiac failure

r 18Sep1945 at Southend on Sea by H L DUNLOP daughter, of 175 Ambleside Drive,

wills

Henry Michael, signed 31May1917 proved 1Aug1936, £2081:

Henry Michael BLEWETT of 12 Bowen St, Poplar, rope and paper stock merchant; all to Helena Annie BLEWETT executrix

Helena Ann, signed 26Sep1944 proved 15Sep1945

Helena Ann BLEWETT of 175 Ambleside Drive Southend; Money at Barclays Bank and from sale of "Kynance" to be divided equally

between my 4 daughters: Helena Mary, Alice Elizabeth Elsie, Henrietta Lilian, Amy Janet. Henry Arthur BLEWETT executor

CENSUS

1871 Stepney, 8 Gardom St RG10/556 f82/6

Jane BLEWETT wi mar 33 1838 Mousehole CON

Eliza J BLEWETT da 9 1862 scholar Mousehole CON

Mary W BLEWETT da 7 1864 scholar Mousehole CON

Henry M BLEWETT so 5 1866 scholar Stepney MDX

Elizabeth A WRIGHT si unm 24 1847 annuitant Mousehole CON

Jane E ALLINGTON lo unm 29 1842 machinist Warlinghame SFK

Martha M BUSH lo unm 24 1847 seamstress Clerkenwell MDX

1881 Stepney, 10 Rectory Square RG11/482 f26 p48

Jane BLEWETT wi mar 42 1839 captain's wife Mousehole CON

Eliza J BLEWETT da unm 19 1862 Mousehole CON

Mary W BLEWETT da unm 17 1864 Mousehole CON

Rosea Hena.BLEWETT da 8 1873 scholar London MDX

Charles A BLEWETT so 5 1876 London MDX

Arthur P MOSS bo unm 20 1861 theological student (Cambridge) Kingstown, St Vincent, West Indies

[Henry Michael was at sea with his father on the Roseau]

1891 Limehouse (St Paul), 13 Streatfield St RG12/299 dist 26 f4

Henry M BLEWETT he mar 25 1866 marine store dealer; neither Stepney

Helen A BLEWETT wi mar 25 1866 Stepney

Helen M BLEWETT da 4 1887 Stepney

Elizabeth A BLEWETT da 2 1889 Stepney

Henry A BLEWETT so 3m 1891 Limehouse

Elizabeth M A BROOKBANKS ml wid 59 1832 retired dairy woman [ml=mother in law] Shadwell

Christopher T BROOKBANKS bl sgl 23 1868 blacksmith, employed [bl=brother in law] Stepney

5 rooms or more

1901 7 Wallwood Rd Leytonstone, Leyton, ESS RG13/1622 f38

Henry BLEWETT he mar 35 1866 rag merchant own act Stepney MDX

Helena A BLEWETT wi mar 35 1866 Stepney MDX

Helena M BLEWETT da sin 14 1887 dress makers apprentice worker Stepney MDX

Elizabeth BLEWETT da sin 12 1889 Stepney MDX

Henry BLEWETT so sin 10 1891 Limehouse MDX

Henrietta BLEWETT da 4 1897 Limehouse MDX

Amy BLEWETT da 2 1899 Limehouse MDX

Jane BLEWETT mo wid 63 1838 Penzance

Ernest JEARY bo sin 24 1877 traveller (soap) worker London, Bow

1911 7 Wallwood Rd Leytonstone

Blewett Henry Michael    he mar 45 1866 Paper Making Materials Merchant employer Stepney
Blewett Helena Annie     wi mar 45 1866 25y mar 5 children 5 alive               Stepney
Strike  Elizaberth Alice da mar 22 1889 1r  mar                                  Stepney
Blewett Henry Arthur     so sgl 20 1891 assisting in business           worker   Limehouse
Blewett Henrietta Lilian da     14 1897 school                                   Limehouse
Blewett Amy Janet        da     12 1899 school                                   Limehouse
Coram   Blanche Amelia   se     23 1888 general servant                          Leyton

1921 49 Old Southend Rd Southend-on-Sea

Henry Michael	Blewett	Head	1866	55	Stepney, London, England	Rope Merchant	Employer
Helena Annie	Blewett	Wife	1865	56	Stepney, London, England	Home Duties	Home Duties
Henrietta Lillian	Blewett	Daughter	1897	24	Limehouse, London, England	Shorthand Typist	H M Blewetss Rope Mechant
Amy Janette	Blewett	Daughter	1899	22	Limehouse, London, England	Shorthand Typist	L C C
Lilian Dorothy May	Blewett	Visitor	1907	14	Limehouse, London, England	-	-

OTHER

PO Directory

1897-1901 marine store dealer, 64 Burgess St, Limehouse

1902-1909 no entries

1910-1911 rag bagging, fat & bone & paper stock merchant & sack & bag maker; 12 & 12A Bowen St, Chrisp St, Poplar

1912- not inspected

Voyages of Roseau

The Roseau made 26 voyages to St Vincent between 1870 and 1880 (see Henry BLEWETT-3). It is known that Henry Michael and other members of the family travelled with his father on some of these voyages from the personal stories he told to his grandson Jack PARSONS. The family story is that Henry Michael learned to walk on the Roseau. The last voyage via Cape Town listed above was a particularly strong memory. On these voyages he served either as a steward or ship’s boy. Only four crew lists relating to Roseau’s voyages between 1870 and 1880 however have been preserved at PRO and Henry Michael was not recorded on any of them. Either he did not sail on these voyages, or was not an official member of the crew. The voyages for which crew lists have been examined during this period are as follows:

Oct1877-Feb1878 Troon--Demerara--St.Nazaire

Mar1878-Jul1878 St.Nazaire--St.Vincent--London

Oct1879-Feb1880 London—St.Vincent—London

Mar1880—Jul1880 London-St.Vincent-Bristol

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