Henry James Peterken and Mary Simpson Whitehead

St George-in-the-East, London E1 - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1007653

Henry James Peterken (b. 1811), son of Thomas Spencer Peterken and Jane Miller, married Mary Simpson Whitehead (b. 1809), illegitimate daughter of John Simpson and Elizabeth Whitehead, at St George in the East, in Stepney, East London, on 23 Jan 1833, according to the Parish Register of said church.

Henry James and Mary Peterken had nine children:

1. Stillborn male child b. 4 Nov 1833 [Source]
2. Elizabeth Peterken b. 17 Nov 1835, bap. 13 Dec 1835
3. Mary Peterken b. 11 Sep 1837 (1837 S Quarter in THE POPLAR UNION Volume 02 Page 159), bap. 8 Oct 1837, died 28 Apr 1838 (Volume 02 Page 294), buried at All Saints Church, Poplar on 6 May 1838
4. Henry Peterken b. 8 Dec 1838 (Volume 02 Page 296), bap. 17 Mar 1839
5. Jane Peterken b. 1 Jan 1841 (Volume 02 Page 322), bap. 11 Jun 1841 lists her as Mary.
6. James Peterken b. 13 Oct 1842 (Volume 02 Page 317), bap. 1 Jan 1843
7. William Peterken b. 20 May 1844 (Volume 02 Page 338), bap. 16 Mar 1845
8. Octavius Peterken b. 29 Jul 1848 (Volume 02 Page 333), bap. 24 Dec 1848
9. Emma Peterken b. 4 Jan 1852 (Volume 01C Page 613), bap. 28 Apr 1868.

Additional information and exact dates from the family bible listed at Putting Flesh on Dry Bones. All baptisms took place at All Saints Church, Poplar.

In 1841, in High Street, Poplar (less used after 1860, at this time it had been the principal street in Poplar), we find Henry Peterken (30), Mary (30), Elizabeth (5), Henry (2) and Jane (0), along with Elizabeth Sheppard (22), George Morris (23) and Martha Morris (27). Without the relationships - not shown in 1841 - it's difficult to tell if these were lodgers, employees, servants or family.

In 1851, at 208, High Street, Poplar were Henry James Peterken (40) Printer & C [Compositor] giving his place of birth as Mile End Old Town; Mary (40), Elizabeth (15), Henry (12), Jane (10), James (8), William (6) and Octavius (2).

In 1861, they were at 268 High Street, Poplar, but by 1871, they had moved to 70 Sussex Street, Poplar [1861 and 1871 also listed here].

In 1881, where they are listed at 70, Sussex Street, Poplar (Plaistow) were Henry J Peterkin (sic) (70) Master printer; Mary S (72), with just two of the daughters still at home: Jane (36) Tie maker and Emma (27) Dressmaker.

In 1891, in Sussex Street, were Henry J Peterken (80) Printer, Mary (82), Emma (who slowed time to only reach 31) and Maud Peterken (9), granddaughter (Maud b. 1881, was the daughter of Octavius Peterken and Amelia Babbage).

Mary Simpson Peterken died, aged 84, in 1895 (Volume 01C Page 542).

Henry James Peterken died, in 1900, at 89 (Volume 01C Page 401).

Further sources:

1. Putting Flesh on Dry Bones (with photo of H J Peterken)
2. Finding Mary Simpson Whitehead
3. Down Memory Lane
4. As mentioned here, the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives are in possession of "a bundle on the Peterken printing business".