Thomas Ramster and Ann Collier

Church Hill, Ramsgate
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bill Boaden - geograph.org.uk/p/3094225
Leading up to St George's Church.

Thomas Ramster (bap. 6 May 1821 at St Mary's Church, Brixham, Devon), son of William Ramster and Elizabeth (Betty) Johns, married Ann Collier (bap. 21 Apr 1822 at St Mary's Church, Brixham, Devon), daughter of Nicholas Collier, Mariner, at St George's, Ramsgate, Kent on Christmas Day, 25 Dec 1845. Thomas Ramster's profession, as well as that of both their fathers, was Fisherman. Neither of them could read and write and both signed with an X. Witnesses were William Carlile - yet another Fisherman who was married to Thomas' sister, Sarah Ramster (b. 1815) - and Mary Ann Ramster (b. 1814), who was also Thomas Ramster's sister.

Thomas Ramster's Merchant Seaman Register Ticket was issued at Ramsgate on 4 Jul 1846, and tells us he was born on 22 Apr 1821, in Brixham Devon, so then 25, was 5ft 3½in, with brown hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion and no [distinguishing] marks, who first went to sea as an apprentice in 1835. This record states that he was able to write. Obviously, a quick learner in those few months, or not.

Thomas and Ann Ramster had ten children:

1. Ann Ramster b. 1846 D Quarter in ISLE OF THANET Volume 05 Page 535, bap. 27 Dec 1846 at St George's, Ramsgate
2. Sarah Elizabeth Carlile Ramster b. 1850 J Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Volume 22  Page 496, bap. 31 Mar 1851 at Hull Holy Trinity
3. William Ramster b. 1853 D Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Volume 09D Page 161, bap. 2 Oct 1853 at Hull Holy Trinity
4. Mary Ramster b. 1853 D Quarter in KINGSTON UPON HULL Volume 09D Page 161, bap. 2 Oct 1853 at Hull Holy Trinity
5. Thomas Ramster b. 1855 S Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 180, bap. 5 Aug 1855 in Hull, Yorkshire
6. Nicholas Ramster b. 1857 D Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 199, Died at 1 Week in 1857 D Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 154 and was buried on 3 Nov 1857 at Hull Holy Trinity
7. John Ramster b. 1857 D Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 199, bap. 27 Dec 1857 at Hull Holy Trinity. Died at 9 Months in 1858 S Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 128 and was buried on 16 Jul 1858 at Hull Holy Trinity
8. Catherine Ramster b. 1859 (1860 M Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 196), bap. 28 Dec 1859 in Hull, Yorkshire
9. John Ramster b. 1861 S Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 196, bap. 21 Jul 1861 in Hull, Yorkshire
10. Agnes Ramster b. 1863 M Qtr in HULL Vol 09D Page 213, bap. 29 Mar 1863 in Hull, Yorkshire. Died from Broncitis at 10 mths in 1864 M Qtr in HULL Vol 09D Page 151 and was buried on 19 Jan 1864 at Hull General Cemetery.

Clearly William and Mary b. 1853 were non-identical twins, who both survived into adulthood, whereas their also twin brothers, Nicholas and John b. 1857, did not. This is the only time I've seen two sets of twins born in the same family.

The Kentish Gazette on 22 Feb 1848, reported on:

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A BOY

The magistrates of Ramsgate were occupied for some time on Thursday last, the adjournment examination of an alleged case of barbarous treatment, which was believed to have occasioned the death of a sea apprentice, named William Dixon, aged only eleven years, on board a smack belonging to Mr J Lane of Ramsgate.

The following are the particulars:-

Edward Lynden deposed that he was an apprentice to Mr Lane and was serving in the smack Adolphus. About a month ago they left Ramsgate to fish the Silver Pits. The crew consisted of five persons, viz: Thomas Ramster, the master, George Butts, the second hand, and William Blackburn, himself, and William Dixon, three apprentices. They had been at Silver Pitts a day or two, when the apprentice Dixon committed himself, and the captain of the vessel (Ramster) flogged him with a piece of line for so doing. He did this three of four times, and was flogged each time for it by the captain with a line, and once with a piece of net. When he was flogged with the net he was quite naked, and laid across the dandy wink. Previous to his being flogged, each time, he was stripped and washed with a mop in the sole tub, which was on the deck of the vessel. William Blackburn sometimes used the mop, and witness saw marks on his back when he was stripped. Blackburn on three occasions put a rope round the waist of Dixon, and put him overboard, and gave him several dippings. At daylight on Tuesday morning, when on deck, witness called Dixon up out of the forecastle, where he slept, when the trawl was hove up. He afterwards saw Dixon lying on the deck in the lee scuppers, and all hands came on deck. Dixon was stripped and washed with a mitten on the deck. He could not stand, but was held up to be washed. He was afterwards taken down into the cabin, wrapped in a blanket, and laid before the fire. They rubbed him before the fire, put on a shirt, and laid him in the bed cabin. He was then quite dead. Dixon had not had anything to eat since Monday at dinner time, which was about twenty-four hours before he died. The captain said he was not to have anything to eat. Witness did not make this statement before the coroner at the inquest on Dixon, as he was afraid he would catch it when he got to sea, all the crew having told him that he was not to say anything more than he was asked. Blackburn told him he was not to say anything about dipping the boy overboard. Dixon had been on board of the vessel about three months.

George Butts [apparently unwilling] corroborated portions of this evidence.

Mr John Medmer Goodwin, surgeon, Ramsgate, deposed, that he had made an examination of the body of the deceased. The viscera were generally healthy. The stomach was empty. There were marks, external and internal, of two blows on the back of the head, which might have produced concussion of the brain, but he could not swear that these had been the cause of death.

The Chairman severely reprimanded Ramster and Blackburn, and held them to bail to appear at the next Sandwich quarter sessions. (Ramster's bail was £50.)

What the result was at the quarter sessions, I cannot report as I have neither access to those records, nor can I find any further records in the press. The lack of the latter might indicate that nothing 'exciting and newsworthy' occurred. 

The boy, William Dixon, according to the registration of his death, in 1848 M Qtr in ISLE OF THANET Vol 05 Page 425, was 13. He was buried on 6 Feb 1848 at St George's, Ramsgate. It hasn't been possible to trace his birth, or parents.

What we don't yet understand is what 'committed himself' means in this context and that was terrible enough to merit floggings. Someone with more experience of the sea will hopefully enlighten us. Although, my instinct is to think, as it was repeated and also because of all the washing, that the boy became sea sick. We cannot apply modern sensibilities: I really wouldn't be surprised if sea sickness was then treated as a failing, worthy of punishment or that would respond to shock.

There is anyway no evidence to suggest that the Ramsters had to run away from Ramsgate and indeed the obvious reason they moved to Hull was related to the discovery of "the renowned Silver Pits, near the Dogger Bank". Before 1850 Hull wasn’t really a fishing port, but it was this, along with the arrival of the railway, that changed its history. "The “Silver Pit” was discovered and fishing boats began to arrive in Hull. The Brixham trawler was ideally suited for this particular kind of fishing." Thomas Ramster, therefore, was also "one of many fishermen from Kent and Devon who had migrated north to Hull for the better prospects offered by its proximity to the bountiful Dogger Bank and Silver Pits fishing grounds."

Thus in 1851, Thomas Ramstay (sic) (28) Fisherman; Ann Ramstay (sic) (28) Fisherman's Wife, both from Brixham, Devon; Ann Ramstay (5) born in Ramsgate, Kent and Sarah Ramstay (0) born in Hull, were all lodging in the household of Jane Crespin (27) Fisherman's Wife at 1, Ellis Place, Holy Trinity, Hull, Yorkshire. 

In 1861, Thomas Ramster (39) Fishing Smack Owner was living at 5, Edwards Place, Holy Trinity, Hull, with Ann Ramster (37), Ann Ramster (14), Sarah E Ramster (10), William Ramster (7), Mary Ramster (7), Thomas Ramster (5), Catherine Ramster (1) & William Collier (21) Fisherman from Plymouth, Boarder. 

In 1871, in Kingston Street, Holy Trinity, Hull, were Thomas Ramster (50) Smack Owner; Ann Ramster (49) - this time both, incorrectly, listed as being from Ramsgate, Kent, which I suppose depends if you're asked where you [last] came from as opposed to where you were born; with William Ramster (17) Master & Block Maker Apprentice; Thomas Ramster (16) Commercial Clerk; John Ramster (8), Ann Ramster (24), Sarah E Ramster (20), Caroline [Catherine] Ramster (11), with Edward Tennant (20), Henry Arnet (16) and William Faircliff (14) all Fishermen's Apprentices. (Hopefully treated better this time.)

Thomas Ramster of 11 Boulevard Villas, Hessle Road, Kingston Upon Hull, Smack Owner, died, at 56, on 26 Feb 1879 (1879 M Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 198) at his home address. His cause of death was given as 'Obstruction of the Bowels' and he was buried, at Hull General Cemetery, on 4 Mar 1879. Probate was granted on 16 Jan 1880; he left personal effects of under £100 to his widow.

In 1881, at Boulevard Villas, 11, Hessle Road, Kingston upon Hull, Ann Ramster (58) Smack Owner was head of the household with Ann Ramster (33), Mary Ramster (28), Thomas Ramster (25) Ship's carpenter; John Ramster (19) Master & block maker; Edith A Ramster (4) Granddaughter (b. 1876, daughter of William Ramster and Mary Elizabeth Simpson); Robert Reeve (33) Fisherman; Sarah E Reeve (30) - who had married in 1873; Henry Crocomb (21) Fisherman; William T Dixon (19) and Enoch Samms (19) Fisherman's Apprentices.

In 1891, Ann Ramster (70) Mother-in-law was living in the household of Robert Reeve (43) and Sarah E Reeve (40), at 14, Boynton Street, Hull.

Ann Ramster, relic of the late Thomas Ramster, smack owner of this port, died on 28 Jan 1895 at 40 Marmaduke Street (HULL Volume 09D Page 176), aged 72.

(Youngest son, John Ramster was one of the founders of Hull City AFC.)

Robert Leeming & Margaret Crowley & Alfred James Amass

Hull Minster, King Street, Kingston upon Hull
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bernard Sharp - geograph.org.uk/p/6532039
Hull Minster, formerly Holy Trinity Church, mainly 1300-1425.

Robert Leeming (b. 1840) Greengrocer of Robinson Row, Hull, son of James Leeming and Jane Irwin, married Margaret Crowley (b. 1850), younger daughter of Thomas Crowley and Elizabeth Molloy, at Hull Holy Trinity, on 15 Jun 1870. 

This was not Robert's first marriage, however, as he had previously married widow, Sarah Brown (née Barber) on 12 Nov 1865, at All Saints Church, Sculcoates. He's described as a widower on his 1870 marriage to Margaret Crowley, but I've not found the record of Sarah's death. His first marriage did not produce children.

On his 1865 marriage, Robert lists his father as Robert Leeming, Soldier. In 1870, he again lists his father as Robert Leeming, but with his father's occupation given as Shoemaker. After much digging, we discover his step-father was Robert, while his biological father, James Leeming, was both a soldier and a shoemaker.

Robert Leeming's birth, in 1840, is listed in the Gro Regimental Birth Indices, Royal Artillery, in Drypool, England. And in 1841, James Leeming (37), Jane Leeming (24), Elizabeth Leeming (4) and Robert Leeming (1) were all listed as living at the Citadel and Barracks Hull, Drypool. "The Citadel" was a moated triangular bastioned artillery fortification built in the 1680s in the south-west corner of Drypool.

James Leeming, born in Lancashire, had enlisted in the Royal Regiment Of Artillery on 11 Nov 1825 - his previous trade being Shoemaker - and was discharged, at Woolwich (Royal Artillery Barracks) - son James was born here in 1845 - on 14 Sep 1846, having served for 20 years and 336 days, 7 years 5 months of that in Gibraltar. He was discharged due to chronic rheumatism, which the army judged impaired him and was as a result of his military service. Upon discharge at the age of 43, he was 5ft 9in, with fair hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. 

Three years later, he was dead and was buried, on 17 Sep 1849, in Drypool.

Jane Leeming (34), widow, Charwoman pauper, born in Eastbourne, Sussex, was, in 1851, living Whytalls Place, Drypool, with her five children: Elizabeth (13) Servant; Robert (10), William (8), James (5) and Margaret (3). Then, on 27 Nov 1851, listed as Jane Lemon, she married Richard Plank, Soldier, at All Saints Church, Sculcoates. On this marriage, she lists her father as James Irwin, Soldier. At this rate she was at risk of being seen as a jinx on the regiment, as Richard Plank (38) died the following year in 1852. Hence, it was Jane Plank who married Robert Wright in 1856. In 1861, Robert Wright (47) from Norfolk, Greengrocer, at 17, Broadley Street, Hull, was living with wife Jane Wright (44) and step-children, Robert Leeming (21) Greengrocer, James Leeming (16) Shoemaker and Margaret Leeming (13).

Jane Wright (formerly Plank, previously Leeming, née Irwin) died, aged 52, in 1870, in Hull. NB: I never did find a record of her first marriage to James Leeming.

After they married in 1870, in 1871, Robert Leeming (34) Shop keeper, and Margaret Leeming (20) were living in Broadley Street, Hull, next door to William Henry Tummon, whose wife, Elizabeth Crowley was Margaret's sister. 

The marriage between Robert Leeming and Margaret Crowley didn't produce any children either and there must have been 'an estrangement', because in 1881, Margaret Crowley (31) Dressmaker, was living as a boarder in the house of Alfred Amass (26) Dock labourer from London, at 8, Empringham Terrace, Hull.

Then Robert Leeming died, aged just 44, in 1884, in Sculcoates.

St Matthew's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Glazzard 
geograph.org.uk/p/1156490

Unsurprisingly, Margaret Leeming (35) remarried, at St. Matthews Church, Hull, on 15 Jun 1885 to Alfred James Amass (29), reputedly son of Samuel Amass. Reputedly, because there appears to be no such person as Alfred James Amass until 1881: no birth, does not appear on any previous census.

But they had 5 lovely daughters:

1. Emma Leeming Amass b. 1883 (there's no registration nor baptism, presumably to avoid formalising this secret 'premature' birth)
2. Gertrude Amass b. 1886, bap. 14 Dec 1887 at St John the Baptist, Newington, Hull
3. Ada Amass b. 1887, bap. 14 Dec 1887 at St John the Baptist, Newington, Hull
4. Maud Amass b. 1889, bap. 7 Oct 1891 in Newington
5. Eva Amass b. 1891, bap. 7 Oct 1891 in Newington

The family's address on the four baptisms was given as 86 Glasgow Street, Hull. Margaret's father and brother also lived in Glasgow Street at this time.

In 1891, still in Glasgow Street, Newington, were Alfred Amass (34) Fisherman, Margaret Amass (40), Emma (7), Gertrude (5), Ada (3) and Maud (1).

Then in 1901, the family were living at 55, Scarbrough Street, Sculcoates with Alfred James Amass (45) Ships husband, Margaret Amass (50), Emma (17) Office cleaner, Gertrude (15), Ada (13), Maud (11) and Eva (9).

Alfred James Amass died, aged 50, in Sculcoates, in 1905.

In 1911, Margaret Amass (60) was living at 45 Scarborough Street, Hull with Ada (23), Maud (21) Assistant teacher; Eva (19) Housemaid and two boarders, Frederick (16) and Charles (15) Johnson, both from Crewkerne, Somerset.

In 1921, Margaret Amass (71) Mother-in-law, was living with James and Eva Gibbins at 75, Edinburgh Street, Hull.

 Margaret Amass (née Crowley, formerly Leeming) died, aged 77, in 1928.

• Emma Leeming Amass (20) married William Henry Sole (23) Engine Fitter, son of James Sole, both of 91 Bean Street, Hull, on 3 Aug 1903 at St. Matthews Church, Hull. Witnesses were the bride's father, Alfred James Amass, and Elizabeth Sole, William's younger sister.
• Gertrude Amass (21) married Willie Brown (22) Carpenter, son of James Brown, Iron moulder, both of New Cleveland Street, on 16 Sep 1906 at St. Mark's Church, Hull (St Mark In The Groves). St Mark's was built in 1843. It was badly bombed and demolished in the 1950s. The Groves was a slum area in east Hull, a riverside community of mills and cramped terraces along Cleveland Street. Witnesses were James Brown (probably NOT the Godfather of Soul) and Mary Ellen Brown.
• Ada Amass (25) married James Wilson Brown (36) Tailor, also son of James Brown, Iron moulder, of New Cleveland Street, on 22 Mar 1913 at St. Matthews Church, Hull. There were three witnesses: J Brown, E Amass and A Brown. So it appears that the two sisters, Gertrude and Ada, married two brothers, Willie and James.
• Maud Amass (23) married George Arundell (23) Iron moulder, son of James Vickers Arundell, both of 45 Scarborough Street, Hull, on 8 Mar 1913 at St. Mary and St. Peter's Church, Dairycoates (The old church building was taken down in February 1962 to make way for the Hessle Road flyover which replaced the Dairycoates level crossing.) Witnesses were William Henry Sole (Emma's husband) and Eva Amass.
• Eva Amass (25) of 20 Witty Street, Hull, married James Gibbins (22) Boiler maker of 68 Havelock Street, son of William Gibbins, on 16 Jun 1917 at St. Mary and St. Peter's Church, Dairycoates. Witnesses to this marriage were William Henry Sole (again) and Olive Gibbins.