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From: "Jack Steer" <>
Subject: [STEER] STEER from Bovey Tracey to Essex
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:02:37 +0100


I noticed Joseph Daniel STEER son of Joseph Theophilus STEER (deceased) and Martha Sophia STEER of 13 Crescent Rd, Plaistow, Essex on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. My eyes lit up, as Theophilus is not a common forename and was introduced into the South Milton herd (my family) by marriage to a LEAMON. I think that I was wrong.

As far as I can tell this family originated in Tendring district, that part of Essex, which includes Ardleigh, Clacton, Harwich, Manningtree, St Osyth and Thorpe.

It seems likely that two STEER brothers Joseph Theophilus (birth registered Tendring Q4 1863) and Josiah John (birth registered Tendring Q3 1865) were married to two sisters in Q3 1895 in Whitechapel, London. The sisters were Martha Sophia and Maria GOULD.

Joseph Theophilus (death registered West Ham Q1 1914) and Martha Sophia had at least one child Joseph Daniel STEER (birth registered West Ham Q2 1897), who enlisted in the Machine Gun Corps (infantry) 123rd Company and was killed on 17.9.1916 aged 19. His name appears on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C, so presumably his body was never recovered.

A quick look at the 1881 census has made me wonder quite where this family originated or may be it is just chance, because in 1881 Joseph Theophilus was an engineer's pattern maker (at works) aged 17 and born Harwich, Essex was lodging with one Hepsibah STEER a governess aged 24 and born in Rohey Tragey?, Devon. That could be LDS for Bovey Tracey.

Is there anyone researching the STEER family in Essex? And what happened to Hepsibah?



Regards,
Jack Steer
Banbury

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