Harold Edward Simpson

Other Events:

• Career: Educated at Bancrofts School, Woodford Green (paid for by the 'maiden aunts'). 1911: Builder's assistant. Later lived in a big house in Wanstead overlooking Wanstead Flats, and was quite wealthy. Had a business as a signwriter and dabbled in property. Always drove 'nice, smart cars' according to Betty Harries.
• Census: 1901; Woodford College, George Lane Harold E Simpson, Boarder, Single, Age 14, born in Forest Gate.
• Census: 1911; 13 Horace Road, Forest Gate, London. Minnia Simpson, Head, 43, Widow, born in Guildford, Surrey. Harold Simpson, Son, 23, Single, Builder's Assistant, born in Forest Gate. Ivy Simpson, Daughter, 21, Single, born in Forest Gate. William Simpson, Son, 18, Clerk to LCC (Tramways), born in Forest Gate. David Simpson, Son, 16, Single, Printer's Assistant, born in Forest Gate
• Census: 1921, 13 Horace Road, Forest Gate E7; Simpson Minnia, Mother, 60yrs 2mo, F, Widow, Guildford Surrey, British, not any (occupation), not any (employment). Simpson Harold, Son, 43yrs 2mo, M, single, Forest Gate Essex, British, Builder, not working. Simpson William, Son, 32yrs 4mo, M, single, Forest Gate Essex, British, Clerk, Ministry of Labour, Westminster. Minnia Simpson now appears to have been born in 1860-61, and Harold is now 43...
• Marriage: Jul - Sep 1922, District of Romford; Married Florence Susannah Taylor ('Florrie'), a court milliner. No children.
• 1939 Register: 29 Sep 1939, 24 Aldersbrook Road, Wanstead and Woodford M.B., Essex; Simpson Harold E, M, 15/12 1874, M, Builder Simpson Florence S, F, 11/1 1891, M, Houseduties unpaid (Harold's date of birth is wildly wrong)
• Probate: 9 Dec 1950, London; SIMPSON Harold Edward of 24 Aldersbrook-road Wanstead Essex died 11 August 1949 Probate London 9 December to Florence Susannah Simpson widow. Effects £56744 0s 3d.

Notes:

Birth:
Based on 1921 census (taken 19 June 1921)

Died:
Peter Harries remembers meeting his wife Florrie at the wedding of Alan Simpson and Teresa Lilley in 1959.

Harold — Florence Susannah Taylor. Florence was born 11 Jan 1891, Mile End Old Town, London; died Feb - Mar 1973, Redbridge district, London. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Inheritance: Had he outlived his father, Willam David would have inherited the following properties (instead they were redistributed among the surviving siblings): Cottages 1, 3, 5, 7 Junction Street, Canning Town (No sign of Junction Street) Cottages 1-4 Lower Junction Street, Canning Town (No sign of Lower Junction Street) Factory and land in Lower Junction Street (No sign of Lower Junction Street) Shop 249 Victoria Dock Road Custom House Cottages 1-6 Simpsons Road, High Street, Poplar Houses 150, 152 High Street Poplar (now Poplar High Street) House and shop: 144 High Street, Poplar (?Poplar Chambers?). Sold in 1926. House 315 St Leonards Road, Bromley (No sign, only St Leonards Rise) Houses 5-11 Bartlett Street, Bromley (No sign) Warehouse 12 Bartlett Street, St Leonards Road, Bromley (No sign) Plot: Marten Road, Freemasons Road Custom House on the Marten Road Estate (gone) Plot: Rear of 144 High Street Poplar 3 plots: 2, 3, 22 Tidal Basin Estate, North Woolwich Road, Victoria Docks Plot: 58 Tidal Basin Estate, Eveline Road Custom House (Road gone) Houses: 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 Bidder Street, Canning Town (now industrial estate) Shop: on corner of Burard and Queens Road Tidal Basin (now Burrard Road, Queens Road gone) Total: Houses: 17. Houses with shops: 1. Shops: 2. Cottages: 14. Factory: 1. Warehouses: 1. Plots: 6. Instead, he died leaving only £150 (see 'Will' below)
• Life Story: Lived at Harold Villa, Dames Road.
• Marriage: 26 Oct 1887, St Paul's Church, Stratford, London; Married Minnie Rodwell, age 25.
• Will: 1896; SIMPSON William David of 61 Dames Road Forest Gate Essex died 6 May 1896 Administration London 9 October to Minnia Simpson widow Effects £150.

Notes:

Christened:
Parents: David Caldow and Elizabeth Simpson. Address: 'High Street', occupation blindmaker. Also christened this day at the same church, Henry Pratt Simpson, son of Godwin Ratler and Emma Eliza.

Name:
He may have adopted the middle name 'Caldow', as his name is given as 'William Caldow Simpson (deceased), Builder' on his daughter Ivy's wedding certificate

Died:
Buried in City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London E12 5DQ. Grave number 53490, Square 17.

William married Minnie later Minnia Rodwell 22 Oct 1887, West Ham, England. Minnie (daughter of Ellis Frederick Rodwell and Frances Baleham) was born 13 Aug 1855, Guildford, Surrey; was christened 31 Aug 1862, Newington St Mary, Southwark; died 26 Jan 1948, Registration District 'Essex South Western'; was buried 2 Feb 1948, Buried in City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London E12 5DQ. Grave number 53490, Square 17.. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1861, 9 Waterloo Place, Newington; Ellis F (Frederick) Rodwell, Head, Mar, 33, Harness Maker, Norfolk Fanny Rodwell, Wife, Mar, 31, Norfolk George Rodwell, Son, 8, Scholar, Norfolk Minnie Rodwell, Daur, 5, Scholar, Surrey Guildford Edna A Rodwell, Daur, 2, Scholar, Surrey Kensington Frederick R Rodwell, Son, 4mo, Surrey Newington
• Census: 1871, 2 Chapel Place, Little Ilford; Fanny Rodwell, Wife, Mar, 41, Saddler's Wife, Norfolk Old Buckenham Minnie Rodwell, Daur, 14, Scholar, Surrey Guildford Edna A Rodwell, Daur, 11, Scholar, Middx Kensington Frederick R Rodwell, Son, 10, Middx Kensington Amy Rodwell, Daur, 9, Scholar, Surrey Walworth Fanny Rodwell, Daur, 8, Scholar, Surrey Walworth Jessie Rodwell, Daur, 6, Scholar, Surrey Walworth
• Marriage: 26 Oct 1887, St Pauls Church, Stratford, London; Married William David Simpson, age 40, builder, of 'The Graydons', Woodford Road, Forest Gate, London.
• Census: 1911; 13 Horace Road, Forest Gate, London. Minnia Simpson, Head, 43*, Widow, born in Guildford, Surrey. Harold Simpson, Son, 23, Single, Builder's Assistant, born in Forest Gate. Ivy Simpson, Daughter, 21, Single, born in Forest Gate. William Simpson, Son, 18, Clerk to LCC (Tramways), born in Forest Gate. David Simpson, Son, 16, Single, Printer's Assistant, born in Forest Gate *This makes her birthdate 1867/8! All the ages given in this census seem to be fiction.
• Census: 1921, 13 Horace Road, Forest Gate E7; Simpson Minnia, Mother, 60yrs 2mo, F, Widow, Guildford Surrey, British, not any (occupation), not any (employment). Simpson Harold, Son, 43yrs 2mo, M, single, Forest Gate Essex, British, Builder, not working. Simpson William, Son, 32yrs 4mo, M, single, Forest Gate Essex, British, Clerk, Ministry of Labour, Westminster. Minnia Simpson now appears to have been born in 1860-61, and Harold is now 43...
• 1939 Register: 29 Sep 1939, 12 Buckingham Road, Wanstead & Woodford MB, Essex; Simpson William, M, 2 Aug 89, S, Clerk War Office Simpson Minnia, F, 13 Aug 70*, W, Household duties *The birthdate of 1870 is clearly nonsense!
• Probate: 3 Mar 1950, London; SIMPSON Minnia of 12 Buckingham-road Wanstead Essex widow died 26 January 1948 Administration London 3 March to William Caldow Nelson Simpson surveyor. Effects £2011 11s.9d.

Notes:

Christened:
Parents lived at Clarence Place, Penton. Father's occupation: harness maker (from London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906)

Notes:

Married:
Date from family notes

Other Events:

• .: 1841?, Whitechapel Hight Street; A glimpse of the area: ... here Bull Court intersects ... 77 Lawson William, coffee rooms 78 Marchant Mrs Maria, staymaker 79 Butler James, linendraper 80 Chater Charles, boot maker 80 Horton James & Sons, jewellers 81 Simpson Godwin & David, window blind maker 82 Wehrle Henry & Co, watch & clock ma 83 Hart William, hat manufacturer 84 Wallis Miss H & Co, hosiers & glovers ... here Angel Alley intersects ... From https://pubshistory.com/Whitechapel/WhitechapelHighStreetNorth1.shtml
• Occupation: 1839, Church Steet, Greenwich, Kent; Painter; later property developer/landlord in the East End of London.
• Marriage: 4 Nov 1839, St Alphage, Parish of Greenwich, Kent; Both David and Elizabeth lived in 'Church Street' (presumably in Greenwich)
• Census: 1841, Tattoo? Place, Tower Hamlet, St Dunstan, Stepney, Middlesex.; Betsy G.....?, 53yrs, Schoolmistress, not born in county. Mary Hawkins, 25yrs, Milliner, yes,born in county. Godwin Simpson, 30yrs, Plumber, yes, Emma Simpson, 22yrs, yes. Emma Simpson, 4months, yes. David Simpson, 25yrs, Plumber, yes. Elizabeth Simpson, 18yrs, yes. Not known Simpson, female, 5months, yes.
• Census: 1851, 4 George Terrace, Tower Hamlet, St George in the East.; David Simpson, Head, Mar, 39yrs, Blind Maker, born Stepney Middlesex. Elizabeth Simpson, Wife, 27yrs, born St George, Middlesex. Catherine Simpson, dau, 10yrs, Middlesex. William Simpson, son, 4yrs, Whitechapel, Middlesex. Elizabeth Simpson, dau, 2yrs, St George, Middleswex. 1 servant.
• .: 7 Jul 1851, Court House, Portugal Street,Lincoln's Inn; 11.00am Monday: 'The following persons, who, on their several Petitions filed in the Court, have obtained Interim Orders for protection from process, are required to appear in Court... before Mr Commissioner Phillips... David Caldow Simpson, formerly of 19 Nassau Place, Commercial Road, Middlesex, Painter, late of 6 Lucas Place, Commecial Road, Middlesex, Blind Maker, and now of 5 George Terrace, Commercial Road, Middlesex, Blind Maker & Provision Agent.' http://tinyurl.com/mlc24pa
• Patent--PROVISIONAL PROTECTIONS GRANTED.: 1857, Newton's London Journal Of Arts.; Patent--PROVISIONAL PROTECTIONS GRANTED.
• Patent--PROVISIONAL PROTECTIONS GRANTED.: 5 Nov 1857, Journal of the Society of Arts, January 15, 1858; PATENT LAW AMENDMENT ACT. Applications for patents and protection allowed. [From Gazette, Jan.8, 1858.] 2806. Godwin Ratler Simpson and David Caldow Simpson, No.78, High-street, Whitechapel, and No.5, George-terrace, Commercial-road - Improvements in spring blinds.
• Census: 1871, Wanstead, Essex.; David C Simpson, Head, Mar, 59yrs, House Joiner, born London Middlesex. Elizabeth Simpson, Wife, 46yrs, born London Middlesex. Children at home, all single. Catherine E 29yrs, Elizabeth 22yrs, Emma S 19yrs, Frederick J 17yrs, Frances Jane 14yrs, James H 12yrs, David C 10yrs, previous all born London Middlesex, and Eva E 6yrs, born Wanstead, Essex.
• Residence: 1881, Graydon Villas, Wanstead Road, Forest Gate, Essex.
• Census: 1881, Graydon Villas, Forest Gate, West Ham, Essex.; David C Simpson, Head, Mar, 69yrs, No occupation, born Stepney, Middlesex. Elizabeth G Simpson, Wife, 58yrs, born Stepney, Middlesex. Children at home, all single. Catherine E 39yrs, ? Middlesex, William 34yrs, (Builder), Whitechapel, Middlesex, Elizabeth 32yrs, Emma S 29yrs, Frederick 27yrs, Frances Jane 24yrs, David 20yrs, (Builder) .....previous born St Georges, and Eva 16yrs, born Forest Gate,West Ham, Essex.
• .: 1884, Victoria Dock Road, London; Deeds relating to the Town of Ayr Public House (formerly 5 Simpson's Terrace) Victoria Dock Road, with concert room (from 1884) Reference: E/OPP/4 Title: Deeds relating to the Town of Ayr Public House (formerly 5 Simpson's Terrace) Victoria Dock Road, with concert room (from 1884) Description: Also additional premises (5-9 Burnham Street, Canning Town) at rear of the Town of Ayr, on which was built The Royal Albert Music Hall (marginal plans of the public house on lease of 9 September 1873, of public house and concert room on Mortgage of 2 Feb. 1880 and of public house and music hall on lease of 1 Aug. 1906. An agreement of 14 July 1909 between W. Maddams and The Royal Albert Syndicate Ltd., for rebuilding refers to plans for fitting up in the Royal Albert Music Hall a portion of the interior of the Imperial Theatre, Westminster. Principal parties: David Caldow Simpson, Wm. Burton, John King, Wm. Maddams, Charles Relf, Thomas Paulin, Mann Crossman and Paulin Ltd., A.G.H. Hunt, The Royal Albert Syndicate Ltd. Includes: Debentures of the Royal Albert Syndicate Ltd., exhibited in a Chancery Division Suit, Maddams v. Royal Albert Syndicate, Ltd., 1912. Date: 1873-1911 Held by: London Metropolitan Archives: City of London, not available at The National Archives Language: English Physical description: 46 documents
• Census: 1891, 31 Woodford Road, Forest Gate, West Ham, Essex.; David C Simpson, Head, Mar, 79yrs, Retired Builder, born St Georges, London. Elizabeth G Simpson, Wife, 68yrs, born St Georges, London. Children at home, all single. Catherine E 50yrs, Elizabeth Ann 42yrs, Emma Susannah 39yrs, Frances Jane 34yrs, previous born St Georges, .... David Caldar* 30yrs, (Builder) and Eva Ellen 26yrs, born West Ham, Essex.
• Will: 1899; Will of David Caldow Simpson, 'Graydons', 31 Woodford Road, Forest Gate, b.27.9.11, m.4.11.1839, d. 19.1.1899. Son of James and Susannah Simpson. To wife Elizabeth Graydon Simpson: (nee Pratt) born 1823) 16 shops: 3-18 Blue Row, High Street, Leyton (poss High Road, Leyton. No sign of Blue Row.) 2 houses 1, 2 'Lyntons', Katherine Road, East Ham Land to rear of Dames Road, Forest Gate (entrance from Bignold Road) Total: Houses: 2. Shops: 16. Plots: 1. She died in April 1899 so would not have inherited. To daughter Katherine Elizabeth Simpson: (born 1842) Houses and shops: 28, 30, 30a, 32, 32a, 34, 34a, 36, 36a, 38, 40, 42 Dames Road, Forest Gate House and shop 'Leytonstone Chambers', High Road, Leytonstone 1, 2 Blue Row, High Street, Leyton (leasehold) (No sign of Blue Row.) Total: Houses: 2. Houses with shops: 13. To son William David Simpson (of (61?) Harold Villa, Dames Road). 1847 - 6/5/1896 Cottages 1, 3, 5, 7 Junction Street, Canning Town (No sign of Junction Street) Cottages 1-4 Lower Junction Street, Canning Town (No sign of Lower Junction Street) Factory and land in Lower Junction Street (No sign of Lower Junction Street) Shop 249 Victoria Dock Road Custom House Cottages 1-6 Simpsons Road, High Street, Poplar (taken by William David's brother David Caldow Simpson and sold by his son John Graydon Simpson in 1951) Houses 150, 152 High Street Poplar (now Poplar High Street) House and shop: 144 High Street, Poplar ('Poplar Chambers'). Sold in 1926. House 315 St Leonards Road, Bromley (No sign, only St Leonards Rise) Houses 5-11 Bartlett Street, Bromley (No sign) Warehouse 12 Bartlett Street, St Leonards Road, Bromley (No sign) Plot: Marten Road, Freemasons Road Custom House on the Marten Road Estate (gone) Plot: Rear of 144 High Street Poplar 3 plots: 2, 3, 22 Tidal Basin Estate, North Woolwich Road, Victoria Docks Plot: 58 Tidal Basin Estate, Eveline Road Custom House (Road gone) Houses: 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 Bidder Street, Canning Town (now industrial estate) Shop: on corner of Burard and Queens Road Tidal Basin (now Burrard Road, Queens Road gone) Total: Houses: 17. Houses with shops: 1. Shops: 2. Cottages: 14. Factory: 1. Warehouses: 1. Plots: 6. (William did not inherit as he died before his father - he died worth only £150). To daughter Elizabeth Anne Simpson: (born 1849) Shops: 102, 104, 106, 108 Green Street, Upton Park Shops: 132, 134 Barking Road, Canning Town Houses and shops: 1, 3, 5, 7 Rathbone Street, Canning Town Shops: 48, 50 Rathbone Street, Canning Town Total: Houses with shops: 4. Shops: 8. To daughter Emma Susanna Simpson: (born 1852) Shops: 56 Rathbone Street, Canning Town Shops: 85, 87 Rathbone Street, Canning Town (leasehold) Shops: 37, 39, 41 Hallsville Road, Canning Town Shops: 1, 2 Simpsons Terrace, Victoria Dock Road Total: Shops: 8. To son Frederick James Simpson: (of 257 Romford Road, Forest Gate) (born 1854) Cottages: 1-7 Francis Cottages, Emma Road, Plaistow Shop: 35 Hallsville Road, Canning Town Shop: 3 Simpsons Terrace, North Woolwich Road (leasehold) Houses: 16, 18, 20, 22 Whiteman Street Customs House Shops: 1-4 Emma Terrace, North Woolwich Road, Silvertown Shop: 245 (corner of Eastwood Road, North Woolwich Tidal Basin Houses: 205, 207, 209 North Woolwich Road Tidal Basin Houses: 1, 2 Grafton Road, Plaistow Total: Houses: 9. Shops: 7. Cottages: 7. To daughter Francis Jane Simpson: (born 1857) Shop: 4 Simpsons Terrace, Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town (leasehold) Shops: 6, 7 Simpsons Terrace, Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town House and shop: 80 Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town Cottage at rear of above, Fulton Street, Canning Town Shop: 81 Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town Houses: 212, 214 Lilliput Road Custom House (corner of Frederick Road and Lilliput Road) Cottage: 1 Queens Road Tidal Basin Total: Houses: 2. Houses with shops: 1. Shops: 4. Cottages: 2. To son David Caldow Simpson Jr: (of 31 Woodford Road, Forest Gate) (born 1861) Houses: 2, 4, 6 Rochester Avenue, Green Street, Upton Park Shop: corner of Beaconsfield Road and Hermit Road, Canning Town Shops: 140-140, 141a Victoria Dock Road Tidal Basin Cottages: 43-47 Stephenson Street, Canning Town Shops: 47, 49 Stephenson Street, Canning Town Cottages: 1-4 Jerries Place, Cranbrook Road, Silvertown Houses: 10, 12 Randolph House Custom House Total: Houses: 5. Shops: 6. Cottages: 4. To daughter Eva Ellen Simpson: (born 1865) House: Chestnut House, Chestnut Avenue, Forest Gate Houses: 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45 Woodford Road, Forest Gate Cottage: 52, 58, 58a Bignold Road, ForestGate Shops: 14, 16, 18, 22, 26 Dames Road, Forest Gate Total: Houses: 8. Shops: 5. Cottages: 3. In trust for: brother Tristram Shandy Simpson sister Ellen Lester Simpson nieces (presumably children of Tristram and Ellen): Hope Sally Simpson, Susan Eliza Simpson, Emma Susanna Simpson, Ada ? Simpson: Houses: 14, 16, 26, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 85, 87, 89, 91 Marten Road, Freemasons Road Custom House Shop: 20 Dames Forest Gate Total: Houses: 20. Shops: 1. Total property of Estate: Houses: 65 Houses with shops: 19 Shops: 57 Cottages: 30 Factory: 1 Warehouses: 1 Plots: 7. = 180 lots. Estate value £56,881. Streets possibly named after family members: Katherine Road, East Ham (after daughter Katherine Elizabeth Simpson) Emma Road, Plaistow (after daughter Francis Jane Simpson) Emma Terrace, North Woolwich Road, Silvertown (after daughter Emma Susanna Simpson) Francis Cottages, Emma Road, Plaistow (after daughter Francis Jane Simpson) Frederick Road (after Frederick James Simpson)

Notes:

Poplar High Street
South side
'Poplar High Street: South side', Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs (1994), pp. 77-90. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=46471. Date accessed: 07 August 2007.


Nos 128–154 and Simpson's Road (all but No. 130–2 demolished).
The only building now directly abutting on Poplar High Street here is the Roman Catholic Settlement of the Holy Child at No. 130(–132) (Plate 11d). This demure block was built, primarily as a youth club, in 1955–6, to designs by Adrian Gilbert Scott (1882–1963) in a style consonant with that of his clergy house for the church of SS Mary and Joseph in Upper North Street (see page 239). The pre-stressed concrete floors were designed by Concrete Limited of Leeds. (ref. 526) The longitudinal shape of the building indicates that it occupies two of the deep sites on this side of the High Street. The side fenestration reveals the arrangement by which the rear part has a two-storey club-room rising from basement level, thus accommodating the steep fall of the site that has always characterized this side of the street.
The Settlement, which took its present name in 1913, derives from a settlement at Tower Hill founded in 1893, which moved to Poplar in 1918, and Nos 130–132 in 1920. (ref. 527)
Discounting possible pre-seventeenth-century building, the frontage between Poplar Terrace and the east side of Simpson's Road was the last considerable part of the High Street to be completely developed. This was in the 1850s, when it was the freehold property of the Stock family.
Nos 128–136 were built between 1857 and 1861 — at least three of the houses by Adin Sheffield, a builder of Bromley. (ref. 528) On the 1867–70 Ordnance Survey map they seem to be unique in the High Street in having some sort of small garden, or perhaps only an 'area', in front of them: an exception was No. 134, the one house of the five then in a shopkeeper's tenure. The other occupants (in 1868) were a rate-collector (with a particularly spacious garden), a solicitor, a relieving officer sharing a house with the district surveyor, and an architect at No. 136, E. L. Bracebridge, who was probably responsible for the design of all these houses for Mrs Stock. However, in respect of No. 136 at least, his assistant Thomas Wayland Fletcher (see page 63) claimed the actual designing. (ref. 529) By 1892 Bracebridge was the only surviving 'professional' man in these houses. Between the wars they were often in use for 'public' or charitable purposes. (ref. 530)
Nos 138–154 had probably been part of the scattered property held of the manor of Stepney both north and south of the High Street and bought in 1690 by the London goldsmith Abraham Chambers from the executors of Sir William Portman, whose family had held it since 1652 or earlier. In 1773 the lease and in 1775 the enfranchised freehold passed to William Currie, esquire, the owner-occupier of the big house opposite at the site that became Nos 119–123; (ref. 531) and, as the owner-occupiers of that house continued to own this south-side property, it may have been partly considerations of 'amenity' that kept it undeveloped. In 1797 John Stock acquired both properties from the Curries, (ref. 532) but no development took place until the Stocks gave up the big house and rebuilt that site in the 1850s.
In 1852 Edward Stock sold off the frontage at what became Nos 138–152 as five freehold plots. (ref. 533) The purchasers were all local men — a chemist (for the site of No. 140 and, probably, No. 138), a stationer (No. 142), a victualler (No. 144), an auctioneer (No. 146) and a surgeon (Nos 148–152 and Simpson's Road behind them), although only the auctioneer John Carter lived here. (ref. 534) He was a party with Stock to the sale of sites, and is likely to have been the actual 'entrepreneur'.
The houses were built in 1855–62, possibly by the bricklayer George Fairweather of Poplar, who witnessed most of the deeds of sale. Again Bracebridge was probably the responsible architect, with T. W. Fletcher claiming, as at No. 136, the actual designing of No. 146, for Carter. (ref. 535)
All, except No. 146, contained shops or, at No. 144, a 'Commercial Hotel and Coffee House', (ref. 536) which had deteriorated by 1881 to a working-men's lodging house filled with 25 inmates. (ref. 537)
At the 40ft-wide site of Nos 148–152 the local surgeon, Thomas Gray, who had property interests north of the High Street and elsewhere in Poplar, leased the whole for 90 years in 1855, took a ground rent of £30 per annum, and indirectly created a slum. His lessee was a 'blind-maker and builder', David Caldow Simpson of Commercial Road East. (ref. 538) In 1855–6 Simpson built three narrow houses over shops at Nos 148–152, (ref. 539) but instead of allowing them the deep gardens of their neighbours laid out a north-south row of houses behind them called Simpson's Road. The fact that the houses were called Frederick's Cottages suggests that Simpson was associated in this enterprise with another local builder, Frederick William Simpson.
The approach to Simpson's Road from the High Street, east of No. 152, was only 10ft wide, which led the district surveyor to bring a case against D. C. Simpson under the powers given to the Metropolitan Buildings Office. The case collapsed because No. 152 had not then been built, and by the time it was the Metropolitan Buildings Office had itself disappeared. (ref. 540) Simpson's original idea was to build ten tiny houses measuring 12ft by 10ft. This he changed to six L-shaped houses, (ref. 541) although they were occupied as seven or eight. In 1881 there were 65 people living in them, the heads of households including two charwomen, two labourers and a sweep. (ref. 542) The houses, islanded in an alleyway, were less hemmed in than some slums off the High Street, but by 1889 were condemned to closure by the Poplar Board of Works as unfit for human habitation — chiefly, it seems, because of damp and the thoroughly bad condition of the buildings. They were closed in 1891–2, but not demolished. (ref. 543) In 1951 a Mr J. G. Simpson sold the freehold of Nos 1–6 Simpson's Road to the London County Council for £400. (ref. 544)
Eastward, the Stocks owned a house of respectable width standing back from the street at No. 154, where a Mrs Stock lived in 1852. (ref. 545) The family no longer used the house after Simpson's Road was built next door and the architect Henry Stock (c1824–1909), Edward's nephew, of the firm of Snooke & Stock, built a singlestorey shop on part of its frontage in 1867. (ref. 546)

From: 'Poplar High Street: South side', Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs (1994), pp. 77-90. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=46471. Date accessed: 07 August 2007.
--------------------
East India Dock Road, North side
Nos 1-301 (and Nos 2-50)
'East India Dock Road, North side: Nos 1-301 (and Nos 2-50)', Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs (1994), pp. 127-47. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=46479. Date accessed: 07 August 2007.

Nos 213–215 were perhaps built by David Caldow Simpson in association with Frederick Simpson. They had an interest in, and probably built, the adjacent Nos 217–221, and their associate, the local auctioneer John Carter, had the sewer laid in front of this stretch of houses and by 1857 had a lien on Nos 213–215. (ref. 306) The Simpsons and Carter may therefore have developed Nos 213–221 or 223 jointly. Nos 213–215 are set back — originally behind forecourts projecting on the pavement, where a central gate led to paired front doors. The block plans are mirrored, with small rear wings. (ref. 307) Behind later shops the stock-brick fronts with (originally) undressed straight-headed window-openings rise through three storeys to finish with a block cornice and parapet, behind which dormer windows are set in the front slope of a slated mansard roof. The party wall is carried up above the roof-line. Between the house-fronts is a tablet incised EMMA PLACE. The rear is similar but the heads of the windows are not gauged and there is no parapet. To judge from No. 213 the interiors are without interest, although that house contains original features, such as the dog-leg staircase with square-section balusters and round, simply turned newels, the plainest of chimneypieces and skirting boards, and some simple joinery. No. 215 was occupied as a lodging house by the 1860s. In 1899 the occupants were an auctioneer (No. 213) and a building society (No. 215) but in 1902 the auctioneer covered most of the back garden of No. 213 with a workshop. (ref. 308)
Nos 217–223 were built at the same time, probably by the Simpsons, under the name of Trafalgar Terrace. They were in commercial use from the beginning and are now much altered. (ref. 309)

From: 'East India Dock Road, North side: Nos 1-301 (and Nos 2-50)', Survey of London: volumes 43 and 44: Poplar, Blackwall and Isle of Dogs (1994), pp. 127-47. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=46479. Date accessed: 07 August 2007.

Patent--PROVISIONAL PROTECTIONS GRANTED.:
2806. Godwin Ratler Simpson and David Caldow Simpson, of High-street, Whitechapel, and George-terrace, Commercial-road, for improvements in spring blinds.—[Dated November 5th.]

David married Elizabeth Graydon Pratt 4 Nov 1839, Saint Alfege, Greenwich, Kent. Elizabeth (daughter of Christopher Pratt and Elizabeth Sparrow) was born 4 Jun 1823, Lucas St, St George In The East, Tower Hamlets, London; was christened 4 Jul 1823, St George In The East; died 4 Apr 1899, West Ham, Essex; was buried 11 Apr 1899, City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London E12 5DQ. Grave number 35677, Square 20. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Probate: 12 Jan 1900, London; SIMPSON Elizabeth Graydon of 31 Woodford-road Forest Gate Essex widow died 4 April 1899 Probate London 12 January to David Caldow Simpson and Frederick James Simpson builders Effects £6639 17s.

Notes:

Married:
http://sharing.ancestry.com/3353727?h=c689bf&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

Other Events:

• Census: 1841, Winchester Barracks; Pvt. Ellis Rodwell, 15, Soldier, not born in county.
• Census: 1851, Puddledock Street, Old Buckenham; Ellis Rodwell, Head, M, 22, Farmer of 22 Acres, Norfolk Old Buckenham
• Census: 1861, 9 Waterloo Place, Newington; Ellis F (Frederick) Rodwell, Head, Mar, 33, Harness Maker, Norfolk Fanny Rodwell, Wife, Mar, 31, Norfolk George Rodwell, Son, 8, Scholar, Norfolk Minnie Rodwell, Daur, 5, Scholar, Surrey Guildford Edna A Rodwell, Daur, 2, Scholar, Surrey Kensington Frederick R Rodwell, Son, 4mo, Surrey Newington

Ellis married Frances Baleham Oct-Dec 1851, Wangford, Suffolk. Frances was born c.1823 or c.1830, Old Buckenham, Norfolk; died poss Jul-Sep 1914, West Ham?. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Career: Solicitor (from children's marriage certificates)
• Career: 1816, Mile End Old Town, Stepney, London; Excise Officer

Notes:

Christened:
http://sharing.ancestry.com.au/3349708?h=40971f&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

Buried:
http://sharing.ancestry.com/3349916?h=9d01bf&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

James married Susannah Caldow 6 Jan 1803, St James, Clerkenwell, Islington,. Susannah was born 1778, Chelsea, Middlesex; died After 1851 census. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1841, Waterloo Terrace, Stepney, Middlesex; Sarah Simpson Female 60 1781 Middlesex, England ( transcription error, image is Susanna) Eliza Simpson Female 20 1821 Middlesex, England Transcription Ellen Simpson Female 20 1821 Middlesex, England Transcription Susannah Simpson Female 20 1821 Middlesex, England Transcription Jno Sewell Male 20 1821 Middlesex, England Transcription Census details Family member first name SUSANNAH, ELLEN, ELIZA, SARAH, JNO Family member last name SIMPSON, SEWELL First name(s) Sarah Last name Simpson Gender Female Age 60 Birth year 1781 Birth county Middlesex Birth county as transcribed MIDDLESEX Birth place (other) England Street Waterloo Terrace Parish or township St Dunstan Stepney City or borough Tower Hamlets Town Ratcliffe County Middlesex Country England Registration district Stepney Archive reference HO107 Piece number 714 Book number 3 Folio number 9 Page number 11 Record set 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census Category Census, Land & Surveys Subcategory Census Collections from United Kingdom
• Census: 1851, 7 Arbour Square, Stepney, Middlesex; SIMPSON, Susanna Head Widow F 73 1778 Annuitant, Chelsea, Middlesex SIMPSON, Bluda (Rhoda) Daughter Unmarried F 30 1821 Annuitant, Stepney, Middlesex SIMPSON, Ellen Daughter Unmarried F 28 1823 Annuitant, Stepney, Middlesex Piece: 1552 Folio: 667 Page: 21 Registration District: Stepney Civil Parish: Stepney Address: 7, Arbour Square, Stepney County: Middlesex http://sharing.ancestry.com.au/4666904?h=e6b242&utm_campaign=bandido-webparts&utm_source=post-share-modal&utm_medium=copy-url

Notes:

Census:
There are errors in transcriptions....Sarah will be susannah.. not sure if she had a daughter called Eliza, will need to do further work.

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1800, Sunderland; Ship Owner
• Occupation: 1804 & 1807, Sunderland, Durham, UK; Fitter
• Occupation: 1815; 'Ship Owner, Coalfitter, Merchant, Dealer and Chapman'
• Bankrupt: 16 Dec 1815, Bishopwearmouth, Durham; Durham County Advertiser 16 December 1815 The Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt awarded and issued forth against CHRISTOPHER PRATT, of Bishopwearmouth, in the county of Durham, coal-fitter, merchant, dealer and chapman, intend to meet on the sixth day of January next, at eleven o?clock in the forenoon at the house of Thomas Jowsey, the Bridge Inn, in Bishopwearmouth aforesaid, in order to make a final dividend of the estate and effects of the said bankrupt, when and where the creditors, who have not already proved their debts, are to come prepared to prove the same, or they will be excluded the benefit of the said dividend; and all claims not then proved will be disallowed
• Occupation: 1817, living at Wapping; Provisions Merchant
• Occupation: 1823, living at Lucas St, Tower Hamlets; Ships Chandler

Christopher married Elizabeth Sparrow 27 Nov 1800, Sunderland, Durham, UK. Elizabeth (daughter of John Sparrow and Elizabeth Graydon) was born 1780, Sunderland, Durham, UK; died Oct-Dec 1859, Mile End. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1851, 3 Arbour Square, Stepney, Middlesex; First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place Isabella Morgan Head Widow Female 50 1801 Lodging House Keeper Hull, Yorkshire, England Transcription Elizabeth Pratt Visitor Widow Female 71 1780 - Sunderland, Durham, England Transcription Census details First name(s) Elizabeth Last name Pratt Relationship Visitor Marital status Widow Gender Female Age 71 Birth year 1780 Occupation - Birth place England Birth town Sunderland Birth town as transcribed Sunderland Birth county Durham Street Arbour Square Town - Parish Stepney City - County Middlesex Hamlet - Parliamentary borough Tower Hamlets Municipal ward - Registration district Stepney Archive reference HO107 Piece number 1552 Folio 666 Page 19 Record set 1851 England, Wales & Scotland Census Category Census, Land & Surveys Subcategory Census Collections from United Kingdom

Notes:

Name:
Was previously thought to be Graydon changed to Sparrow on the 2 June 2015, by Joanne

Census:
Elizabeth Pratt is staying only a couple of doors away from Susanna Simpson (living at 7 Arbour Square), 2 children of both women married.

Notes:

Married:
Married, on the 27th Nov., at Sunderland, Mr. Christopher Pratt, of Faversham, Ship Owner, to Miss Sparrow, daughter of the late Mr. Sparrow, of Sunderland.

Antiquities of Sunderland and Its Vicinity, Volume 13