I mentioned in the previous post that I could not find Robert in the 1841 census, but did find an Elizabeth Hooker  in the workhouse and I think that must be his widow. Unfortunately, the 1841 census is very short on detail, basically it gives name, address, approximate age and whether the person was born in the county where he/she is living at the time of the census.

In 1847 Elizabeth married Thomas Haines and so she appears in the 1851 census as Elizabeth Haines – she is noted as being married, not widowed, but there is no sign of Thomas and she is living with her daughter Christiana and son James.  So far, I have been unable to find the death notice of Thomas Haines, but I admit, I haven’t spent much time on that.

In the 1861 census Elizabeth is living with her daughter Christiana at Lambeth.  She is still noted as being married, but still no sign of Thomas and she is designated as the family head.  It is interesting that her neighbour is an Ann Haines, perhaps some relative of the ever-absent Thomas?

In the 1871 census I cannot find Elizabeth, so I think she may have died between 1861 and 1871 – this is yet to be confirmed.

The information I have so far on the children of Robert & Elizabeth is as follows:-

Elizabeth –  in 1842 I have her marrying a William Judges, a weaver – the witnesses to that marriage are her brother William and sister Christiana.  I have not followed her history through from there.

William Henry – in the 1841 census he is living at St Leonards Shoreditch and working as a fringe maker.  Interestingly, living at the same address and also listed as a fringe maker is William Judges (see above). William Henry Hooker seems to have a wife Mary and a young son William, but the 1841 census does not state relationships so they may have some other connection to him.  I have not followed his history from there.

Christiana – In the 1841 census I have her working as a servant at an address in Lambeth. In 1851 & 1861 she is living with her mother, but in 1871 I have not found her so far. I have a possible death in 1874, but will need to send for the death certificate to confirm that.

James – The only James I have been able to find in the 1841 census is one living with another Hooker family and working as a mason – I am not convinced this is my man though.  From then on, he is easier to trace, so I have him in 1851 still living with his mother and sister and marrying Elizabeth Evans later that year.  He then appears in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses and I have a death certifiicate for him in 1890.

Robert & Sarah Ann – as mentioned in the previous post, I have not found either of these two in the 1841 census, but did find death notices which could refer to them.

Well, I think that pretty well summarises the information I have on Robert Hooker/Elizabeth Cleaver and their family. I think it is now time to compare notes with my new contact and hopefully we will be able to help each other.