PART FIVE: CHUTER FAMILY TREE

Many of the chapters about the Chuter family were extensively rewritten in 2016 using information kindly supplied by Steve Priestley. This section was revised again in 2020, with the addition of much more information and extracts from the many records that pertain to the Chuter family.

60.0 Ancestry of GGGM Eliza Chuter (1820-1903)
The Chuter family connection was through the marriage of GGGM Eliza Chuter (1820-1903) to GGGF George Thomas Moss (1826-1892). The union of these two families was also a union of different human fields of endeavour. The Moss family by and large had a very strong interest in education and followed an independent religious tradition (mostly Baptist, Congregationalist or Wesleyan). Many members of the Moss family combined these two fields and became preachers.

On the other hand the male members of the Chuter clan were mainly involved in the building industry, which also included all the trades that were needed in the construction field. This pattern of employment often extended down the generations and even to partners of female members of the Chuter family. Of course this is a generalisation and there were exceptions, but it is a good example of how much influence family tradition can have over the direction people take in their lives.

60.1 GGGM Eliza Chuter (1820-1903)

Baptisms Farnham 1820

GGM Eliza Chuter was baptised at St Andrews, Farnham on 16 Aug 1820. She was the sixth of eleven children born to GGGGP Stephen Chuter, carpenter and Mary Chuter nee Collins. Not much is known about Eliza's early days, apart from her (at the age of 19) being a witness at her sister Sarah’s wedding to Henry Brown in 1839 at Bloomsbury. (See 62.1) Two years later in 1841, at the age of 21, she took on a job as a servant at Longbridge, Farnham for a young couple; Charles 30 and Jane St John. Obviously at that stage the Chuters were not as wealthy as they became later.

On 20 Sept 1847 GGGM Eliza Chuter, who was pregnant with her first child (born later that year), married GGGF George Thomas Moss 21 at Croydon, Surrey and the couple went on to have seven more children. Eliza's pregnancy may have been the reason for getting married in Croydon (40 miles away); to avoid any scandal, particularly for the very religious Moss family. For more details about Eliza Moss nee Chuter’s married life see 55.0.

Eliza and her siblings were baptised at St Andrew's Church, Farnham

60.2 GGGGP Stephen Chuter (1787-1867) & Mary Collins (1789-1876)

Baptisms Farnham 1787: Top entry

Stephen was born on 4 May 1787 at St Andrews, Farnham to parents GGGGGP John and Elizabeth Chuter nee Patrick (See 68.0). He was the last of ten children.

Baptisms Farnham 1789

Mary Collins was a local girl, born in 1789 and baptised at St Andrews, Farnham on 29 Aug 1789. Her parents were GGGGGP James and Mary Collins. Mary seems to have been a single child, as there are no other records relating to siblings born in Farnham. Stephen and Mary grew up in the same town and would have known each other most of their lives.

Marriages, Farnham 1810

Stephen Chuter 23 married GGGGM Mary Collins 21 on 23 Jan 1810 at St Andrews, Farnham. Both were from the parish of Farnham and both signed the document, indicating they had some literacy skills. Mary’s relation James Collins was a witness at the wedding, along with Stephen's sister Jane Tilbury nee Chuter.

1841 Census Farnham

In 1841 the family were living in Abbey St. Farnham with four of their children still at home. There were Stephen Chuter 50 carpenter, Mary Chuter 50, James Chuter 15, Caroline Chuter 15, Thomas Chuter 11, and Jane Chuter 8. (Ages were often rounded down.) Also living in their house were Ann Levett 70 of independent means and George Edwards 15 labourer, who were possible boarders. In the 1840’s, members of the family commenced moving 28 miles to the Epsom area (probably in response to work opportunities). The first to move was the eldest son Stephen Chuter jnr b1814, who was there by the time of the 1841 census. In 1847 daughter GGGM Eliza married George Moss at Croydon, Surrey.

The poll books of 1849-1862 show that Stephen Chuter (presumably this was the younger Stephen Chuter) owned and occupied a house in High St Epsom.

1851 Census High, St Epsom

The 1851 census confirmed the address as High St Epsom, but parents Stephen Chuter 63 carpenter and Mary Chuter 61 were living there, with their eldest son Stephen Chuter listed as 'head’ of the family. He had become a successful builder with two apprentices. The son, Stephen, is recorded as married but no wife was listed. Also living in the house was another son Thomas Chuter 20, unmarried carpenter, and widowed daughter Sarah Brown nee Chuter, who was visiting with two of her children Henry Brown 9 and Mary Ann Brown 2. (see 62.1)

1861 Census Church Parade, Epsom

In 1861 GGGGF Stephen Chuter 74 was listed as a builder (however he had retired by the time of son Thomas' wedding in 1857). He had moved to 127 Church St., Epsom with wife Mary 72, widowed daughter Sarah Brown 50 (b1811) and Sarah’s daughter Mary Ann Brown 12.

Six years later, GGGGF Stephen Chuter 80 died, and was buried at St Martin's, Epsom on 3 Aug 1867. GGGGM Mary Chuter nee Collins, a widowed annuant, moved to Ash to live with her daughter GGGM Eliza Moss nee Chuter, GGGF George Thomas Moss minister (see 55.0) and their family.

GGGGM Mary Chuter nee Collins  passed away in May 1876 aged 86 and was probably buried next to her husband.

61.0 Diagram of the Later Chuter Tree

62.0 Eleven children of GGGGP Stephen Chuter (1787-1867) & Mary Collins (1789-1876)
Son James reportedly said, "My father had a large family to provide for—ten mouths to feed and bodies to clothe. How it was managed I don’t know, but we had plain, but sufficient, food and clothing. I know we all had to work. I left school [aged 11] and was sent into the town of Farnham to get a situation—not a very easy task".

These comments indicate the family was not well off at that point in time and it was only after their move to Epsom that they acquired some wealth. Most members of the Chuter family moved from Farnham to Epsom after eldest son Stephen Chuter (jnr) moved there around 1841. Epsom in the early 1840s "was a quiet, rural place with about 570 houses but the coming of the railways in the late 1840s brought in a whole new period of growth and development", which of course meant plenty of work for those in the building industry (http://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk). Many of Stephen and Mary's children either took up an occupation related to the building trade or married someone already working in the field.

A modern day view of St Andrew's, Farnham.

62.1 Sarah Ann Chuter (1810-1893) & Henry Brown

Baptisms Farnham July 1810

Sarah was baptised on 20 Jul 1810 at St Andrews, Farnham (six months after her parent’s marriage).

Marriages, St George, Bloomsbury, Camden 1839

On 17 Apr 1839, at the age of 28, she married Henry Brown, butcher, at St George, Bloomsbury, Camden. (Henry had followed his father, also named Henry Brown (a poulterer) into the meat industry). Both were residents of Middlesex at the time of their marriage. Sarah’s younger sister GGGM Eliza Chuter later Moss was a witness at the wedding.

1841 census East St, Epsom

At the time of the 1841 census Sarah and husband Henry were living apart. For an unknown reason Henry, aged 30, was living with Sarah's 25 year old brother Stephen Chuter, carpenter, in East St Epsom. Henry was still working as a butcher. The whereabouts of Sarah is unknown, but she appears to have been living 16 miles away at St Pancras by 1842.

Their first child, Henry Richard Brown, was born on 8 Feb 1842 and baptised on 3 Mar 1844 at St Pancras. Son Henry Richard Brown b1842 later married his first cousin, Charlotte Eliza Moss b1853 in 1879. (Charlotte was Sarah’s sister Eliza Moss nee Chuter’s daughter see 56.4a)

Baptisms: St Pancras, Camden 1848

On 30 Jul 1848 Sarah gave birth to daughter Mary Ann Brown at St Pancras. Soon after the birth, Sarah’s husband Henry Brown died (Sarah was described as a widow on the 1851 census), leaving Sarah with two young children to support. By 1851 Sarah and her two young children had moved to Epsom to live in her brother Stephen’s house. It was very crowded with the following occupants: Stephen Chuter 36 builder, Stephen Chuter 63 (father), Mary Chuter 61 (mother), Thomas Chuter (unmarried brother) and Sarah Brown 40 with her children Henry Brown 9 and Mary Ann Brown 2.

In 1861 Sarah Brown 50 widow, now an upholsteress, and her daughter Mary Brown 12 were living with her parents GGGGP Stephen Chuter 74 and Mary Chuter 72 in Church Pde, Epsom. At this time Sarah’s son Henry Richard Brown 19 was living a few minutes away with his Uncle Thomas Chuter in High St., and working as a carpenter (probably working for his uncle, who was a master builder and had a thriving business. (See 62.10).

1881 Census Adelphi Rd, Epsom

The census record of 1871 does not show Sarah Brown nee Chuter, but by 1881 she had moved to live with her daughter, Mary Ann Brown, who married Phillip Tickner in 1873. Living at 3 Adelphi Rd, Epsom in 1881 were Philip Tickner 30 joiner, Mary Ann Tickner nee Brown 32, Henrietta Tickner 6, Florence M. Tickner 3 and Sarah Brown 70 widow upholsteress.

East St Epsom

By 1991 Phillip 40 and Mary Ann Tickner nee Brown 42 had moved to East St, Epsom and Phillip now listed his occupation as upholsterer. Sarah moved to Christchurch to live with her daughter in-law Charlotte Brown nee Moss and grandchildren. Interestingly Charlotte appears to have separated from her husband at this time (possibly as a result of their work as drapers). The result was that in 1991, the census indicated that living at Cromwell Rd., Christchurch were Charlotte Eliza Brown nee Moss 37, married to (but living separately) Sarah’s son Henry Richard Brown, Cecil Frederick Brown 11, Percival Brown 10mth, Daisy Alice Brown 9 and Sarah Ann Brown nee Chuter 80 widowed mother-in-law.

Burials Kingswood 1893

Sarah's daughter Mary Ann fell ill in the early 1890's and Sarah moved to Kingswood (about 4 miles from Epsom) to be close to her. Sarah Brown’s daughter, Mary Ann Tickner, died around April 1893 at Epsom aged 45. Sarah Brown nee Chuter aged 83 died shortly after, in mid 1893, and was buried at Kingswood, Surrey on 15 Jul 1893. Her death was not registered until a few months later at Christchurch, Hampshire.

62.1a Henry Richard Brown (1842-1926) Son of Sarah Ann Chuter b1810

Baptisms St Pancras 1844

Henry was born on 8 Feb 1842 and baptised by his parents, Henry Brown butcher and Sarah Brown nee Chuter, on 3 Mar 1844 at St Pancras. His sister was born in 1848, but sadly, his father died (this is a presumption, because he seemed to disappear without leaving any record) at about the age of 40, leaving Sarah Brown a widow with two young children Henry 8 and Mary Ann 2.

In 1851 at age of 9, Henry and his mother and sister, were living with his uncle Stephen Chuter builder, and grandparents Stephen Chuter 63 carpenter and Mary Chuter nee Collins at 61 in High St., Epsom. Ten years later in 1861 Henry R. Brown 19 was a carpenter, boarding with another uncle, Thomas Chuter, and probably working for the Chuter brothers in their fast growing business in Epsom.

Marriages 1865 St George in the East

On 23 Mar 1865 Henry Richard Brown, carpenter, married Sarah Ann Marsh at St Mary, in the Parish of St George in the East, Middlesex. A witness at the wedding was Henry’s sister, Mary Ann Brown 17. By 1871 Henry Richard Brown 29 cabinet maker, and Sarah Ann Brown nee Marsh 31 were living at East St., Epsom with their children Herbert Harry Brown 5 and Florence Anna Brown 2. The following year Sarah had another child Clement G Brown at Epsom. Henry’s first wife Sarah Ann Brown nee Marsh died on 5 Nov 1877 at Epsom, leaving Henry Richard Brown with three children under the age of twelve.

Eighteen months later on 15 Apr 1879, Henry Richard Brown 37 widower, married his first cousin Charlotte Eliza Moss 26 at Farnham. (Their mothers, Sarah Ann and GGGM Eliza Chuter, were sisters. (See 62.0). He possibly grew to know Charlotte better through his work for her brothers in their building business. For more about Henry's wife Charlotte Eliza Moss and their children see 56.4.

1881 Census, East St Epsom. (Henry Brown was on the previous page)

In 1881 Henry R. Brown 38 builder/cabinetmaker and Charlotte E. Brown nee Moss 27 were still living at East St, Epsom with their three children from Henry Richard Brown’s first marriage; Herbert H. Brown 15, Florence A. Brown 12 and Clement G. Brown 9 and Charlotte’s son Cecil F. Brown 1. On 3 May 1881 Charlotte gave birth to Daisy Alice Brown at Epsom, who just missed out on being counted in the census of that year.

At some point in the 1880’s Charlotte Brown nee Moss moved 80 miles from Epsom to Pokesdown, Bournemouth where in 1890 she gave birth to Percival Brown. During this year Henry's first daughter, Florence (from his first marriage), died at the age of 21 in Southampton. At this time Charlotte and Henry were living in separate locations. Sarah Ann Boardman in her memoirs suggests obliquely in her notes that Charlotte and Henry’s marriage went through some rocky times. (See 56.4)

In 1891, although still married, Charlotte and Henry were living separately and had both taken up occupations as drapers. Charlotte Eliza Brown nee Moss 37 had moved to Cromwell Rd., Christchurch with the younger children; Cecil Frederick Brown 11, Percival Brown 10 months and Daisy Alice Brown 9. Living with them was Henry’s mother Sarah Ann Brown nee Chuter 80 and Emily Gertrude Fry 16 servant. At this time Henry, 49, was still listed as being married and was living in Hermitage Rd., Knaphill (80 miles from Christchurch). He must have been busy in his drapery business as he had an apprentice and also an assistant.

The poll books of the early 1890’s confirm that Henry was living in his own house in East St., Epsom but also owned houses and land in Alexandra Rd., Epsom. According to the 1893-98 poll books Henry moved to Bournemouth to be closer to his wife and as a result Charlotte conceived Violet Brown in 1893. Whilst living at the seaside in the mid 1890’s, Henry’s real estate interests continued to expand as he acquired four villas in Church St, Epsom. In 1899 Charlotte gave birth to another girl Margaret Brown at Christchurch.

By 1901 Henry and Charlotte were separated again (but still married), with Charlotte having moved back to London and now living at Reading Rd, Fleet. Charlotte E Brown 47 was working in her own business as a draper, and supporting children Daisy A Brown 19, Percival Brown 10, Violet Brown 8 and Margaret Brown 2. At this time Henry R Brown 59 draper, was living alone 7 miles away at London Rd, Hook, Newnham. The following year at Fleet in 1902, Charlotte gave birth to her last child Winifred Brown. From 1906-9 Henry’s place of abode was the house he built and named 'Nately Towers', Scures Hill, Hook. (See 56.4a) At this time he also owned a house and shop at Kiln Bridge, St. Johns and four cottages in Church Rd Epsom.

Daisy Brown; daughter of Henry and Sarah Ann Brown nee Chuter

1911 Census Scures Hill, Hook, Winchfield

By 1911 Charlotte and Henry had moved back in together at Scures Hill, Hook in Winchfield. Henry Richard Brown 69 had again become a builder and was living with Charlotte Eliza Brown 57 and daughters Margaret Brown 12 and Winifred Kate Brown 9. According to the census they had been married 31 years and had 9 children of whom 6 were still alive.

Attestation papers Henry Richard Brown 1908

In 1908 at the age of 18, son Percival Brown joined the army in Hampshire. His Attestation Papers listed his parents as Henry Richard Brown of Scures Hill and Charlotte Brown of Winchfield House, Pokesdown. Henry survived the war and was finally discharged in 1920 after having served in areas as far apart as Gallipoli, India and Mauritius. However, as it did with many families, WW1 took its toll on the family. Henry and Charlotte’s son Cecil Frederick Brown was killed in action at Flanders Fields, Belgium in 1914. (See 56.4)

Probate Records 1926

Henry Richard Brown died at Nately Towers, Nately Scures, Hampshire on 1 Feb 1826. Probate was granted on 29 April. In his will he left the huge amount of £10,435. Probate was granted to Charlotte Eliza Brown and son Percival Brown, boot repairer. Charlotte died two years later on 13 Nov 1928 and in her will left £66 to son Percival, shoe repairer. For more about Henry Richard Brown, his marriage and his children see 56.4.

62.1b Adelphi Rd, Epsom
Adelphi Rd. appears in the family history a few times. It has been suggested that the name Adelphi, which means ‘brothers’ in Greek, may have arisen from its association with brothers James and Thomas Chuter who were trading together as builders in 1878 and owned the nearby Chuter’s field at the foot of Hook Road. (Epsom City web site)

In 1871 James Chuter 48 builder, brick maker and farmer lived at 5 Adelphi Rd Epsom with his family Ann Hannah Chuter 49, Agnes Mary Chuter 21, James Phillip Chuter 20, Clara Ann Chuter 16 and Alice Eliza Chuter 14.

Heritage Listed buildings no 3 & 5 Adelphi Rd, Epsom

Ten years later in 1881 Philip Tickner 30 joiner and Mary Ann Tickner nee Brown 32 (daughter from Henry Brown’s 1st marriage to Sarah Marsh) were living at 3 Adelphi Rd with their family Henrietta Tickner 6, Florence M. Tickner 3 and step mother Sarah Brown nee Chuter 70 upholsteress. The Tickners had set aside part of their house, which they used to run their upholstery business.
Mary Ann Tickner nee Brown was a niece of James Chuter and it is quite likely that at least for a time, they were living next to each other in Adelphi Rd.

NOTE. Both numbers 3 and 5 Adelphi Rd are heritage listed buildings. These early to mid 19th century buildings are described as "Weatherboard [with] pitched slate roof, Brick stack, two storeys two ranges of sashes with glazing bars, two slightly lower 2-storey wings to north and south, each with one range of casements and door with oblong fan light. No 3's door in 1-storey later addition".

62.2 Mary Chuter (1812-?)

Baptisms Farnham Jun 1812

Mary was born to parents GGGGP Stephen and Mary Chuter nee Collins in 1812 and baptised on 10 Jun 1812 at Farnham. She may have died as an infant as no more is known about her life.

62.3 Stephen Chuter (1814-1896) & Caroline Cottle

Stephen was born in 1814 and baptised on 10 Aug 1814 at Farnham. We do not know much about Stephen’s early life but by 1841 he was living in East St, Epsom aged 25 with the occupation of carpenter. He was living with his brother-in-law Henry Brown 30 butcher. As he became a well established builder (building a successful business with his younger brothers) by 1851, we can assume he learnt the basics of the trade from his father, who was also a carpenter. This was confirmed by his brother James' obituary (see below).

1851 Census Epsom (See full entry in 60.2 above)

In 1851 Stephen was listed as married and living at High St Epsom. He was aged 36 and employed two apprentices in his building business. He was head of the household (so probably owned the house) and was living with his father and mother Stephen Chuter 63 carpenter and Mary Chuter nee Collins 61. Also living in the house were visiting widowed sister Sarah Brown 40 and her children Henry Brown 9 nephew and Mary Ann Brown 2 niece and his unmarried younger brother Thomas Chuter 20, carpenter.

An Advertisement listing the wide range of services offered by the Chuter Brother's Company

In the 1850’s Stephen and his brothers Thomas and James formed a company called 'Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers', (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) situated on the corner of High St. and Church St. Epsom. It rapidly grew and the brothers became very successful not only in their core business but also expanding into real estate, sales of building supplies and furniture and even undertaking. The three brothers became quite wealthy and were able to buy properties on their own account.

1861 Census Epsom (See full entry in 62.10)

The Epsom house was still crowded in 1861. Living there were Stephen Chuter 46, unmarried master builder, living with younger brother Thomas Chuter (also a master builder) and his wife Mary Ann Chuter nee Cottle, visitor Caroline Cottle, (unmarried sister of Mary Ann who later married Stephen) and nephew Henry Brown 19 carpenter who was boarding with and probably working for his uncle.

On 20 May 1863 The partnership known as the 'Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers' (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) was dissolved by Stephen, but James & Thomas continued with the business. The reasons for Stephen withdrawing from the business at the age of 49 are unknown, but as he was retired by 1871, it may simply have been a desire to take it easy and enjoy his later years in retirement.

1871 Census Epsom

The poll books of the late 1860’s tell us that Stephen’s place of abode at that time was Railway Terrace, Epsom, but he still owned a house in High St. By 1871, Stephen 56 was retired and living at 1 Horne Villas, Railway Tce, Epsom with his 'wife' Caroline Chuter 55 and Elizabeth Goodship 16 who was a servant for the family.

Marriages St Judes, Southwark 1874

Interestingly, Stephen did not marry Caroline until three years later in 1874 at St Judes, Southwark. The marriage registration listed Stephen Chuter 59 “widowed” gentleman of Epsom marrying Caroline Cottle 58 spinster of St George’s Rd. These records pose some mysterious contradictions. If Stephen did not marry till 1874, why is Caroline described as his wife in 1871? And why is he described as married in 1851, unmarried in 1861 and a widower in 1874? The answer to these questions is most likely (as was often the case) a combination of error (in 1851) and a desire to appear 'respectable' in the years prior to their marriage.

Both of their fathers were builders, and witnesses at the wedding were Stephen's brother James Chuter and James’ wife Ann Hannah Chuter nee Clark. Brothers Stephen and James Chuter married sisters Caroline and Mary Ann Cottle.

All the poll book and census records from 1871 to 1791 list Stephen and Caroline living at 'The Terrace' Epsom along with a servant. Caroline died at this address and was buried on the 20 May 1891 at Epsom Cemetery in 1891. After his wife’s death, Stephen moved to Station Rd, Epsom and lived there until his death on 16 Dec 1896 at the age of 82. He was buried alongside his wife in Epsom Cemetery on 19 Dec 1896 at Epsom Cemetery.

Probate Record 1896

In his will he left effects valued at £1261 and probate was granted to his brother Thomas Chuter. Stephen and Caroline did not have children.

62.4 Ann Chuter (1816-1817)

Ann was born in Farnham on 7 Aug 1816 and died before her first birthday on 2 May 1817.

62.5 William Chuter (1818-1861) & Harriet Marchant

William was born in Farnham and baptised on 1 Jul 1818 in Farnham.

1841 Census Croydon, Surrey

Details of his early life are unknown, but he became a carpenter (as was the family tradition) and by 1841 at the age of 23 he had moved into Blunt Cottages, Orchid St., Croydon, where he was living with Harriet Marchant 24 laundress. They were living next to Harriet's mother and siblings, who seemed to be running a laundry from home.

Marriages; St Pancras 1841

Six months later on 2 Oct 1841 they were married at St Pancras, which was where William's oldest sister was living in the 1840's. William’s brother Stephen Chuter was a witness at the wedding. William and Harriet settled in Croydon and started their family. Daughter Eliza was born in 1844 and son William in 1845. William's younger sister GGGM Eliza Chuter married GGGF George Thomas Moss at Croydon on 20 Sept 1847, and it is likely that William assisted with the arrangements

By 1851 William and Harriet were living at South Bridge, Croydon. The family now consisted of William Chuter 32, carpenter, Harriett Chuter nee Marchant 34, Eliza Chuter 7, James Chuter 4 and Arthur Chuter 2. Also living with them was William’s unmarried sister Caroline Chuter 25.

Probate Records 1861

Sadly William Chuter 43, died ten years later on 21 Mar 1861 at Croydon, just prior to the 1861 census. Interestingly, William did not join his brothers in their booming building business. Some time before his death he took a completely new direction in life, and left the building trade to become a publican. Probate was granted to his brothers Stephen and Thomas Chuter, both builders. As part of the 'Chuter Brothers' business was ‘undertaking’ they possibly ran William's funeral as well. William left effects with a value of less than £200 in his will.

William's decision to become a publican later in life was not surprising. Steve Priestley notes that there were "quite a few publicans in the family. Several pubs in the Farnham and Frensham area were run by Chuters at one time or another. There are some amusing press reports of the difficulties some of  them got themselves into with the magistrates."

62.6 GGGM Eliza Chuter (1820-1903) & Thomas Moss

Eliza was born to Stephen and Mary Chuter and baptised at Farnham on 16 Aug 1820. Eliza married GGGF George Thomas Moss (1826-1892) on 20 Sept 1847 and went on to have eight children. For more details about Eliza’s married life see 56.0.

62.7 James Chuter (1821-1915) & Ann Hannah Clark

James was baptised on 25 Dec 1822 at Farnham and at least until 1841 was living with his parents. In Sep 1848 he married Ann Hannah Clark at Epsom and they moved to 2 East St, Epsom.

1851 Census: 2 East St Epsom Ann Hannah 29, Agnes Mary 1 and James P Chuter (Father James was on the previous page)

In 1851 the family consisted of James Chuter 28 builder, Ann Hannah Chuter nee Clark 29 and their children Agnes Mary Chuter 1 and James P Chuter 6 months as well as James’ unmarried sister, Jane Chuter 18. James’ wife Ann Hannah Clark had an unusual background. At a time when large numbers of English people were migrating to Australia, Ann Hannah Clark migrated in the reverse direction, having been born in Van Diemens Land (Tasmania). See 62.7a for more details

James Chuter

In the 1850’s James and his brothers, Thomas and Stephen, formed a company called 'Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers' (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) situated on the corner of High St. and Church St. Epsom. It rapidly grew and the brothers became very successful not only in their core business but also expanding into real estate, sales of building supplies and furniture and even undertaking. The three brothers became quite wealthy and were able to buy properties on their own account.

In 1861 the family were living at 1 High St Epsom and were listed as follows; James Chuter 38 master builder employing five men, Ann H Chuter nee Clark 39, Agnes M Chuter 11, James P Chuter 10, Stephen F Chuter 7, Clara A Chuter 6, Alice E Chuter 4 and to help with domestic work Eliza Dorset 20 servant.

James Chuter

On 20 May 1863 the partnership known as 'Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers', (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) was dissolved by Stephen, but James and Thomas continued running the business. The poll books of the 1860’s list James’ place of abode as High St., but he also owned a house and land in East St.

1871 Census 5 Adelphi Rd, Epsom

By 1871 the family had moved to 5 Adelphi Rd, Epsom. James Chuter 48, was now listed as a builder, brick maker and farmer of 55 acres employing 18 men. He was living with his wife Ann Hannah Chuter nee Clark 49 and children Agnes Mary Chuter 21, James Phillips Chuter 20, Clara Ann Chuter 16 and Alice Eliza Chuter 14. Poll books of the 1870’s show that James Chuter was living at High St Epsom and still owned a house in East St. His son James P Chuter was living in Bush Lodge, East St but also owned land in Epsom Common Fields.

In 1881, James was listed as living at Bush Lodge, Epsom (next to Chuter's Brickfield which was named after the Chuter's Brick making enterprise). He was a very busy man and at 58, was listed as a brick maker and a farmer of 650 acres living with wife Ann H. Chuter 59 and adult children Agnes M. Chuter 31, James P. Chuter 30 and Alice E. Chuter 24.

They were still living in Bush Lodge in 1891 but the house was now listed as being in Mill Rd., Epsom, so it probably had frontages on both roads. Living there were James Chuter 68 farmer, Ann Hannah Chuter 69, James Philip Chuter 40 now a butcher, Alice Elizabeth Chuter 34 unmarried daughter, young granddaughter Myra Chuter Thorns 13 and Emily Rowland 16 servant. In 1897 Ann Hannah Clark died and was buried in Epsom.

1901 Census: Bush Lodge, East St Epsom

The 1901 census listed James Chuter 78, as a widowed retired builder living in Bush Lodge, East St Epsom. Living with him were daughter Alice E Chuter 44 unmarried, and grandchildren Myra C Thorns 23, Alice C Thorns 21 and John G Thorns 20 house painter (Children of daughter Clara.). In 1911 James Chuter 87 was living at Bush Lodge with his grandchildren Alice Chuter Thorns 31 unmarried and Hubert Chuter Thorns 26 unmarried clerk. James Chuter died at the age of  92 on 3 Mar 1915 at Bush Lodge and was buried at Epsom Cemetery on 6 Mar 1915.

When probate was granted he was listed as James Chuter, of Bush Lodge . In his will he left effects valued at £11,024 pounds and the executors of his will were grandson-in-laws Leonard Bond, public servant (son-in-law husband of daughter Jane) and Arthur Stockwell, publisher (son-in-law husband of daughter Clara).

The Chuter Legacy
The Chuter brothers, who were in the building trade, left their mark on Epsom, not only in the many buildings that they built, but they are also remembered through their name being given to several public places such as Chuters Grove and the Brickfield Centre in Epsom Rd. At least ten members of the Chuter family were buried in Epsom cemetery.

James Chuter

Below are extracts from an Obituary for James Chuter, which appeared in the 'Surrey and Epsom Advertiser' 5 March 1915.

"This week death has claimed another of Epsom’s best known inhabitants, Mr. James Chuter passing away on Wednesday at his residence, Bush Lodge, at the ripe old age of 92 years. He comes of old Farnham stock, and of a long lived family, his grandfather, Mr. John Chuter, [GGGGGF John Chuter] having seen 95 years, while his father, Mr. Stephen Chuter, [GGGGF Stephen Chuter] died at the age of 80 years.

The late Mr. James Chuter came to Epsom 74 years ago, and having gained from his father a knowledge of carpentry, with confidence in his own abilities, and the co-operation of his three brothers, he started a builder’s business, which eventually became established in the name of Chuter Brothers. At that time the railway was just being constructed to Epsom, and he and his brothers were able to take full advantage of the demand for houses which this occasioned. There was also a committee in the town which managed local affairs as well as they could, and, in exchange for a piece of land the railway company paid the committee a sum of money with which the Town Clock was erected in the square. The business proved most successful, the premises being situated on the site which is now occupied by the new picture theatre, and among the buildings for which the firm of Chuter Bros. is responsible is the Public Hall.

Many years ago the deceased gentleman, who was a keen business man, made a discovery which proved extremely profitable. He was walking across a field when he discovered that it possessed a peculiar kind of clay. He thereupon purchased this and an adjoining field, and with the clay he manufactured a special kind of fire brick. So great was the demand for these that he shipped loads to many foreign countries, large quantities being exported to Russia. These brickfields were afterwards sold, and Mr. Chuter was appointed managing director of the owners, Messrs. Stone and Co., he also being the largest shareholder.

Mr. Chuter took a great part in the development of Epsom. Besides building the Public Hall he erected many streets of houses in the town, and constructed the great wall round the Woodcote Park Estate, while his brother put the new roof on Ashtead Parish Church. He served on the .... Local Board of Health .... and on the Epsom Board of Guardians.

He was particularly fond of cricket, shooting and hunting and generously supported all the local clubs. The late Mr. Chuter was married to a lady of Tasmanian origin, who pre-deceased him more than 30 years ago, and they sustained a great bereavement in the tragic death of their youngest son, Frederick, who was accidentally shot at the old butts adjoining Epsom Downs. He had three daughters, one of whom is the mother of Councillor Chuter Ede.

Two of his grand-daughters are Mrs. Wiltshire, wife of Mr. Arthur Wiltshire, timber merchant of Epsom, and Mrs. Young, wife of Mr. Tom Young, Engineer-Manager of the Epsom Waterworks, and it is to their tender nursing of their beloved grandfather that his longevity can be attributed in no small degree.

Mr. Chuter could always interest his relatives and friends with his recollection of incidents in his early life. He had seen 70 Derbies and saw the first train in Epsom, while it was also his boast to have seen the first flying machine pass over the town.

Chatting with a reporter a short time ago he related an interesting story. “I can well remember,” he said, the death of my grandfather Chuter, my father working in Farnham Parish Church and our family’s removal from Church-lane to Abbey-street. At six years of age I was sent to the National School in Castle-street, where I remained for five and a half years. During the last year I was in the top class and was frequently a monitor. My father had a large family to provide for—ten mouths to feed and bodies to clothe. How it was managed I don’t know, but we had plain, but sufficient, food and clothing. I know we all had to work. I left school [aged 11] and was sent into the town of Farnham to get a situation—not a very easy task. At thirteen years of age Mr. Chuter was present at the funeral of William Cobbett and saw Daniel O’Connell, the great Irish patriot there."

62.7a Ann Hannah Clark (1821-1897) Wife of James Chuter (1821-1915)
Ann was born on 10 Sep 1821 in Hobart to parents Edward and Ann Hannah Clark nee Churchill. Her parents were married at St Martin's, Epsom on 7 Aug 1820. Edward (b1796) and Ann Hannah Clark (b1790 Epsom) arrived in Hobart on the ship 'Midas' on 12 Jan 1821, so daughter Ann Hannah was possibly conceived on the voyage. There is no record telling why the couple moved from England to Tasmania, when Van Diemens Land was little more than a location for a penal colony. Quite likely they had been told of the wonderful opportunities in the newly settled colony and on arrival found it did not live up the ‘hype’. Nevertheless, the family did not stay long and after twelve months, in May 1822, they sailed back to England on the ship 'The Royal George'.

In Sep 1848 Ann Hannah Clark 27, married James Chuter at Epsom (see above) and they moved to 2 East St, Epsom. Ann Hannah Chuter nee Clark had five children. In 1897 Ann Hannah Clark died and was buried in Epsom Cemetery.

62.7b Agnes Mary Chuter (1849-1939) Mother of James Chuter-Ede
Agnes was born in Epsom in 1849 and was the eldest daughter of James Chuter (1821-1915) and Ann Hannah Clark (1821-1897) and is our family link to senior British Labor Minister James Chuter Ede (see 63.0). She lived with her parents until 1881 when she was 31.

Later that year, she married James Ede a grocer and baker at Epsom. Witnesses were her siblings James and Alice Chuter. Their first child was James Chuter Ede born in Oct 1882 and he later became a senior Minister in the British Government. His birth was closely followed by the birth of Agnes Elizabeth Ede 1884, George Noel Ede 1885 and Constance Ellen Ede 1886. From 1891 to 1901 the family were living at 107 High St., Epsom.

East St Epsom

By 1911 they had moved to 1 Hawthorn Place, East St., Epsom. Living in the house at that time were James Ede 70 occupation caretaker, Agnes Mary Ede 61, James Chuter Ede 28 assistant schoolmaster, George Noel Ede 26 rating surveyor and Constance Ellen Ede 25 teacher of piano and violin. James and Agnes had been married for 29 years.

James Ede of 1 Hawthorn Place, Epsom died on 21 Nov 1921, but probate was not granted until 1930 to his son James Chuter Ede M.P. The reason for the long delay was probably related to the fact that son James was busy with his political career, but also the amount left in the will only amounted to just over £2. Agnes Mary Ede nee Chuter of 'Chuter House', 172 East St, Epsom survived her husband by 18 years and died there on 13 May 1939. Probate on her will was granted later that year to Constance Ede and it was valued at £510.

62.7c James Chuter Ede (1882-1965) Son of Agnes Chuter (1849-1939)
James is related to our family because he was a grandson of GG Uncle James Chuter, a great nephew of GGGM Eliza Moss nee Chuter and a cousin to GGM Sarah Ann Boardman nee Moss. James Chuter Ede was a highly respected British MP whose roles included Education Minister, Home Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. See 63.0 for more details.

62.8 Caroline Chuter (1826-1901) & Thomas Goward

Caroline was baptised on 19 Oct 1826 at Farnham. In 1841 she was 15 and lived in Farnham with her parents. At the age of 25 in 1851 she was living with her brother William and his family at Croydon.

On 6 Sep 1856 Caroline married Thomas Goward, builder at Hook, Surrey. Caroline's siblings, Thomas and Mary Jane Alderton nee Chuter were witnesses at the wedding. As her husband and father were builders they may have met when their fathers were doing business or working together.

Caroline Goward nee Chuter b1826

Caroline and Thomas settled at East St. Epsom and in 1861 their family consisted of Thomas Goward 32 plasterer, Caroline Goward 35, Alfred S Goward 4, Alice M Goward 2, Amy K Goward 1 mth and George A Dale 8 boarder. By 1871 they had moved 6 miles to Rushett Rd, Long Sutton, where their family consisted of Thomas Goward 42 plasterer, Caroline Goward 45 and children Alfred T Goward 13, Alice M Goward 11, Amy R Goward 10, Edith A Goward 9, Arthur J Goward 7 and Fanny Goward 4. By 1881 the family had moved to 3 Adelaide Terrace, Thames Ditton and consisted of Thomas Goward 52 plasterer, Caroline Goward 55 unholsteress, Alice Goward 21 dressmaker, Arthur Goward 16 brass finisher and Jenny Goward 13 scholar (On the previous census Jenny was called Fanny).

Thomas Goward died in 1885 at the age of 56, and was buried at St Marys, Long Ditton on the 27 Oct 1885. The following year, on 28 Jun 1887, Caroline’s son Alfred migrated to Brisbane on the ship ‘Roma’.

Caroline Goward nee Chuter migrated to Australia on the ship "Quetta'

Caroline must have missed her son greatly, because even though she was in her sixties, she also migrated to Brisbane (with her other children) and arrived on 10 Dec 1888. They sailed on the ship “Quetta” and the passenger list read as follows; Caroline 50 (really 62) with Alice 29, Amy 28, Edith 25, Arthur 24 and (Fanny) Jenny 21. Caroline Goward nee Chuter lived in Brisbane until 21 Nov 1901 when she died at the age of 75.

62.9 John Chuter (1828-1829)

John was born in Jul 1828 and baptised on 1 Mar 1829 Farnham. He died as at the age of 11 months on 8 Jun 1829 at Farnham.

62.10 Thomas Chuter (1830-1907) & Mary Ann Cottle

Thomas was born in 1830 and baptised on 13 Feb 1831 at Farnham. In 1841 at the age of 10 he was living with his parents in Farnham. Ten years later in 1851, he along with his parents had moved into his older brother Stephen Chuter’s house in High St, Epsom. In the house at the time were unmarried brothers Thomas Chuter 20, carpenter and older brother Stephen Chuter 36 builder. Also living in the house were their father and mother GGGGP Stephen Chuter 63 carpenter and Mary Chuter nee Collins 61 and visitor Sarah Brown 40, their widowed sister and her children Henry Brown 9 nephew and Mary Ann Brown 2 niece.

Thomas Chuter 27, now a builder, married Mary Ann Terry Cottle on 15 July 1857 at Southwark. Both of their fathers were builders too, although the marriage registration described Thomas’ father (Stephen Chuter b1787 aged 70) as a ‘gentleman’, which implies he had retired by this time. Mary Ann’s sister Caroline Cottle (who later married older Thomas' brother Stephen) was a witness at the wedding.

In the 1850’s, Thomas and his brothers James and Stephen formed a company called 'Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers' (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) situated on the corner of High St. and Church St. Epsom. It rapidly grew and the brothers became very successful, not only in their core business, but also expanding into real estate, sales of building supplies and furniture and even undertaking (In those days undertakers were often cabinet makers who made coffins “to order”). The three brothers became quite wealthy and were able to buy properties on their own account.

1861 Census Epsom

In 1861 Thomas Chuter 30, master builder was living in High St., Epsom with his wife Mary A Chuter nee Cottle 32, Emily M Chuter 2, older brother Stephen Chuter 46 unmarried master builder, Henry Brown 19 carpenter boarder nephew (son of sister Sarah), who probably worked for the Chuter brothers, Catherine Webb 15 servant and Caroline Cottle 47, visiting unmarried sister of Mary Ann Chuter nee Cottle.

On 20 May 1863 the partnership known as ‘Chuter Bros Carpenters, Builders and Upholsterers’, (owned jointly by Stephen, James & Thomas) was formally dissolved by Stephen, but James and Thomas continued running the business.

The Chuter Brothers operated their business from this store in Epsom. Later it became a theatre and was then demolished.

The Poll Books of 1860’s and 1870’s indicate that Thomas’ place of abode was High St but he owned land in Woodnook Common Fields. In 1871 Thomas Chuter 40 builder and Mary Ann Chuter 41 were still living in High St. with their children Emily M Chuter 12, Ellen A Chuter 7, George Thomas Chuter 5, Louisa Mary Chuter 3, Ada Kate Chuter 1 and Mary Ann’s mother Maria Cottle 77 annuitant and Helena M Stone 17 servant.

In 1881 still living at the same address were Thomas Chuter 50 a builder employing 14 men, Mary Ann Chuter 52, Emily Maria Chuter 22, Ellen Annie Chuter 17, Louisa Mary Chuter 13, Ada Kate Chuter 11 and Ellen Daniel 22 servant. The situation was much the same in 1891. Living at 1 High St Epsom then were Thomas Chuter 60 builder, Mary Annie Chuter 61, Louisa Mary Chuter 23, Ada Kate Chuter 21 and Emily White 19 servant. (NOTE: 'Chuter' was spelt as 'Chester')

Probate Records 1907

Thomas died on 10 Jan 1907 aged 77 at ‘Colwyn’, Bridge Rd, Epsom. In his will he left £18,018 with probate being granted to his oldest daughter Emilie Maria Hailes nee Chuter. His nephew James Phillipz Chuter (eldest son of brother James Chuter), had died the previous year and was listed in the probate records too.

62.10a More information about Thomas Chuter’s children
The website www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk provides additional information about the children of Thomas Chuter. “Thomas’ children were all born in Epsom – Emily Maria (c.1858-1935, married James Hailes); Ellen Annie (1863-1945; married tenor vocalist Thomas William Page – divorced 1894*); Thomas George (1865-95); Louisa Mary (1867-1958; married William Charles Blomfield) ; Ada Kate (1870-1963; married hotel manager William Swift Large, who died only 4 years later).

*"Ellen Chuter married Thomas William Page (b1863) in 1887 at St Martin’s Church, Epsom. According to her statement to the court, during divorce proceedings 'Mr Page treated Ellen cruelly, striking her and once threatening her with a revolver; he also committed adultery with various unnamed women and communicated to her a sexually transmitted disease'. Ellen was granted a divorce in 1894 and moved back with her parents

Ellen may have married stock broker Frank Ferguson Page (b1871) around 1898. In the 1911 census Ellen indicated she had been married for 13 years and had given birth to one son named John Page in 1900. Frank and Ellen were living in Sale, Cheshire at that time. By 1939 Ellen was widowed, but still living in the same house in Sale. She indicated that she had been born in 1863 at Epsom.

In 1911 the first Mr Page was living with his widowed sister in Windsor- she had written on the form that he took something (illegible), but presumably prescription drugs, owing to a nervous breakdown, which had either happened 7 years earlier or was of 7 years’ duration.”

62.11 Jane Chuter (1832-1910) & Frank Alderton

Baptisms Farnham 1832

Jane was baptised on 13 Jul 1832 at Farnham. She lived with her parents in 1841, but by 1851 at the age of 18, she had moved to Epsom to live with her brother James Chuter and his family.

On 13 Aug 1854 Jane 22 married Frederick Alderton 21, carpenter. As with many of her siblings, both of their fathers were builders, and Frederick may have worked for one of her brothers in their successful building business. At the time of their marriage they both lived in the Moss Buildings at Whitechapel.

Seven years later in 1861, Frederick and Jane Alderton nee Chuter had set up home in East St. Epsom and had three children. The family then consisted of Frederick Alderton 27 joiner, Jane Alderton 28, Alfred C Alderton 4, Edward S Alderton 2 and Elizabeth M Alderton 1.

1871 Census Surburton

By 1871 they had moved to 23 Brighton Rd., Surbiton and their family had grown to include Frederick Alderton 37 now a master carpenter employing 3 men, Jane Alderton 38, George F Alderton 16 carpenter, Alfred C Alderton 14, Edmund S Alderton 12, Elizabeth M Alderton 11, Frank Alderton 9, Arthur James Alderton 7, Alice Jane Alderton 5 and Rosa Kate Alderton 3. To help with household chores they employed Fanny Turpie 15 as a servant.

Ten years later in 1881 they were still in Brighton Rd., and Frederick Alderton 47 was now a master builder employing 3 men and Jane Alderton was 48. Some of their children had gone into building trades including their youngest boy Arthur Alderton 17 who was a plumber’s apprentice. Also living at home was Alice Alderton 15. Youngest daughter Rose Alderton was at boarding school in Market Deeping. In 1891 they were at the same address and Frank (he had dropped Frederick) Alderton 57 had become a builder’s merchant, Jane Alderton was 58 and Rose Alderton 23 was living at home and her occupation was music teacher. (23 Brighton Rd, still operates as a hardware shop today.)

Present day view of the hardware store at 23 Brighton Rd, Surbiton

By 1901, Frederick Alderton 67 retired builder’s merchant and Jane Alderton nee Chuter 68 had moved to Tolworth. Jane’s daughter Rose Bond nee Alderton 33 and her husband Leonard Bond 31 clerk and their son Leonard C Bond 4 were living with their parents. Elizabeth House 24 was their servant.

On 4 Nov 1910 Jane Alderton nee Chuter died at the age of 78. Probate for Jane Alderton widow of Chartham-Dennon Rd, Surbiton was granted to Edward Dashper engineer (son-in-law; husband of daughter Alice] and Thomas Miell ‘the younger’ auctioneer on 16 Mar 1811. She left £579 in her will.

NOTE: Jane's second child Edward Sproson Alderton was christened with an unusual middle name and is sometimes listed incorrectly as Edmund.

63.0 Lord Baron James Chuter-Ede (1882-1965)
James Chuter Ede was a highly respected British MP whose roles included Education Minister, Home Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. The edited biography below is from www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk "James Chuter Ede has been described as Epsom's greatest son and it is therefore ironic that...he had one attempt at (getting elected in) Epsom, in 1918, and was thrashed. So, in order to be an MP he had to seek a Labour berth, which eventually turned out to be in Durham."

63.1 James Chuter Ede’s Early life
"James Chuter Ede was born in Epsom on 11 September 1882, the son of James Ede and Agnes Mary Chuter, who were married in 1881. James Ede Senior's father, George, was a miller, who died in 1850, and his mother, Elizabeth, carried on a baking and grocery business in Epsom High Street, which James later took over, having been an assistant in London to one Mr John Budgen of the grocery family that founded the Budgens chain in 1872. Agnes was the daughter of local builder James Chuter [and Ann Hannah Clark].

Chuter Ede was one of four children, the others being Agnes Elizabeth (1884-99, buried St Martin's, Epsom), George Noel (1885-1960) and Constance Ellen (1886-1974). James Ede was of the Unitarian faith ... and he no doubt instilled these values into his offspring. Indeed, Chuter later became president of the International Association for Liberal Christianity and Religious Freedom. After retiring from the grocery business James became full-time caretaker of the United Reform Hall; Agnes taught in the Sunday School and Constance, who was a music teacher, ran violin classes and formed the Band of Hope Orchestra. James was also a supporter of the Liberal Party, as was Chuter originally. There does not seem to have been much money in the family, as George (and possibly Chuter too) allocated part of his army pay to his parents while he was away at the First World War. His father James Ede died in 1921, leaving effects of just £2.50, followed by Agnes in 1939 who left £510.

Chuter was educated at the Epsom National School and Dorking High School, following which he trained at Battersea Pupil Teachers' Centre. He then went on to Christ's College, Cambridge, studying natural science, but was obliged to leave without a degree owing to lack of funds. Had he finished the course his life might well have panned out very differently, but, whatever path he might have otherwise followed, he could hardly have become more distinguished than he actually did.

He became an assistant master at an elementary school in Mortlake, Surrey and soon became active in the National Union of Teachers; he was also president of the Surrey County Teachers' Association and in 1908 was elected to Epsom Urban District Council. In 1914 he was appointed to Surrey County Council, but the outbreak of war interrupted his political career and he served throughout the hostilities in the East Surrey Regiment and Royal Engineers, rising to the rank of Sergeant. It was almost certainly his observation of the war and its effects that caused him to leave the Liberals and join the Labour Party.

On 14 November 1917 Chuter married Lilian Mary Stephens Williams (born 1876 Plymouth), who was also a teacher in Surrey and, from 1928 to 1937, a Surrey county councillor. By all accounts they were kindred spirits and a devoted couple and, when Lilian later became a chronic invalid, Chuter was to be seen wheeling her along near the Houses of Parliament. There were no children.

In 1918 (the first election in which some women could vote) Chuter stood as the Labour candidate in the Epsom constituency and was trounced by George Rowland Blades. In 1929 Chuter won (a seat in Durham) by the ultra-slim margin of 40 votes, but by 1931 the Government was a shambles... Labour lost over 200 seats, including South Shields, which went back to the Liberals by a margin of more than 10,000 votes. The 1935 General Election was another Conservative victory, albeit with a reduced number of seats, but Labour put in a much improved performance and South Shields did a complete about-face, returning Chuter with a majority of around 9,000 over the Liberals."

63.2 James Chuter Ede’s Role in Government
"Chuter became Home Secretary under Clement Attlee - described by Churchill as 'a sheep in sheep's clothing' - in the 1945 Labour Government, which was elected by a landslide. Voters obviously thought and hoped this would herald regeneration and a new dawn for Britain after the war. In large measure it did, setting up the welfare state, implementing a massive house-building programme and nationalising virtually all public services (e.g. railways and utilities).

By the time he became Home Secretary in 1945, Chuter was 62 years old ...and the advancing age and declining health of key ministers in that administration (as contrasted to the younger rising talent amongst the Conservatives) were contributory factors to Labour's loss of the 1951 election, but, despite the mountain of affordability problems it spawned for successors, the 1945 Labour administration was seminal and its legacy has been enduring. One of Chuter Ede's biggest reforms as Home Secretary was the Criminal Justice Act of 1948 which, among other things, abolished hard labour and whipping and introduced detention centres for young offenders. One could view it either as enlightenment or 'going soft', but it was typical of that Government's humanisation of the State system.

James Chuter-Ede, Leader of the House of Commons

In March 1951 Chuter had become Leader of the House of Commons, but his Cabinet days ended in October of that year when Labour lost the election. He never held high office again but remained in Parliament, representing South Shields, until he retired in 1964, by then aged over 80.

Chuter Ede was hugely respected, both locally and nationally. He was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1944, a Companion of Honour ... and was raised to the peerage on his retirement in 1964, at which point he changed his surname to Chuter-Ede. He was a magistrate and in 1937 he was Charter Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, followed by the award of Freedom of the Borough (1939). A number of things have been named after him, including a ward at Epsom Hospital, a primary school near Newark, Nottinghamshire and a community centre in South Shields. As mentioned earlier, Lilian Ede had been an invalid for a long time, but she did live to see Chuter achieve Cabinet rank, dying on 1 July 1948 in Ewell; she was buried in Epsom Cemetery. Following a fall, Chuter died at the Wilmar Lodge Nursing Home, Ewell on 11 November 1965 and, after a service at St Martin's, Epsom, was also interred at Epsom Cemetery.

His obituary in ‘The Times’ of 12 November 1965 said, 'Ede was one of the most sensible politicians of his generation. His wit and wisdom were a constant refreshment to the House and a salutary corrective to vagaries and vacuity. He brought to it the finest qualities of the best type of schoolmaster - patience, good humour, tolerance and an acute instinct for detecting humbug and woolly-mindedness. His sympathy for the weaknesses of humankind and his understanding of the criminal mind, derived from long experience on the bench, were invaluable assets to him as Home Secretary. But he was no sentimentalist: corrupters of youth found him an implacable foe."

Note from Steve Priestley: My GGM Daisy was close to him when they were children, but in later life she remained a Liberal and disapproved of his Labour affiliations; while taking pride of course in his achievements. He mentioned his family background in an after-dinner speech at the Bush Hotel, Farnham in 1931 and referred to it once, in passing, in a speech in the House of Commons in 1930, but having gone through his personal papers at the Surrey History Centre I can vouch that he appears not to have done more than that. When I was first working in the Commons in the early 1980s there were still some old Labour MPs who had known him but he was never a popular figure in the House, being somewhat taciturn and, in their opinion, aloof. There was a strong Methodist tradition in parts of the British Labour Party, but I imagine that James's Unitarianism might have grated with them.

64.0 Early Chuter Ancestors
Steve Priestley has developed a 'Modified Register for Thomas Chuter', which lists Chuter ancestors as far back as Thomas Chuter (1684-1746) and their wives and families. The information about the first three known generations of the Chuter family at Farnham is largely based on Steve's research.

The Chuter family seems to have originated in the area around Ash in Surrey, about 5 miles from Farnham. There were no Chuter baptisms in Farnham prior to 1699, but there were many baptisms in Ash from as early as the 1630's right through the 1600's.

64.1 First Generation: GGGGGGGP Thomas Chuter (c1680-1746) & Anne Beldham (1692-?)

Baptisms Ash, Surrey: Thomas the son of Nicholas Chuter was baptised Apr the 9th 1672

Thomas Chuter was born about 1680, not far from Farnham in Surrey. He was possibly born in 1672 in Ash, as shown in the above record, but as he did not name any of his own children 'Nicholas', this record is doubtful.

Another more likely possibility is that Thomas was the son of John and Ann Chuter and was baptised at Windlesham (13 miles from Farnham) on 16 Jul 1679. Supporting this contention is the fact that Thomas named his first born son 'John' after his father.

Baptisms Farnham 1792: Jan 16, Ann Daughter of Thomas Beldham of Wrecclesham (1 mile from Farnham)

Ann Beldham was probably baptised in Farnham, either in 1678 or 1692. The latter year would have made her age at marriage 16 or 17 (if born a few months before baptism). Although that age was unusually young for marriage, it does fit in with Ann giving birth to her last child in Dec 1727 at the age of 36.
NOTE: At least four Chuter men took brides who were 15, 16 or 17 years old; Thomas Chuter c1680, John Chuter b1709, John Chuter b1732 and James Chuter b1746.

Marriages Farnham Oct 14 1708

Thomas married Anne Beldham 17 in Farnham on 14 Oct 1708. They had eleven children who were all baptised in Farnham. The children's names were GGGGGGF John Chuter (1709-1793; see 66.0), Thomas Chuter (1712-?), William Chuter (1713-1714), Ann Chuter (1715-?), William Chuter (1717-?), Stephen Chuter (1718-?), James Chuter (1720-1729), Elizabeth Chuter (1723-1782), Sarah Chuter (1724-1725), Rebecca Chuter (1725-1725) and Rachel Chuter (1727-1727). Most children seem to have died as infants or young children, and Ann would have been in her mid thirties on the birth of her last baby in 1827.  According to the place of birth of their children, Thomas and Ann appear to have lived their whole life in Farnham.

Burials Farnham 1746: June 18 Thomas Chuter

GGGGGGGF Thomas Chuter died in 1746, and was buried on 18 Jun 1746 in Farnham.
The date of death for GGGGGGGM Ann Chuter nee Beldham is unknown.

65.0 Eleven Children of GGGGGGGP Thomas Chuter (c1680-1746) & Anne Beldham (1692-?)
Of their eleven children, only the first two boys are known to have survived to adulthood, and of those two, only the first born was known to have children. Sons GGGGGGF John Chuter and Thomas Chuter seem to have moved from their home town of Farnham to nearby to Frensham as young adults.

65.1 GGGGGGF John Chuter (1709-1793) & Elizabeth Sone
John Chuter was christened on 20 Sep 1709 in St Andrew's, Farnham, Surrey. He was the first child of parents GGGGGGGP Thomas Chuter (1684-1746) and Anne Beldham and married GGGGGGM Elizabeth Sone in Farnham in 1709. They had eight known children. (See 66.0 for more about his life)

65.2 Thomas Chuter (1711-?) & Ann Burchett

Thomas Chuter was baptised at Farnham on 19 Jan 1711 and named after his father Thomas Chuter.

Thomas must have moved a few miles to Frensham once he became independent, because that was his locality when he married in 1739. Thomas Chuter 28 married Ann Burchett of Farnham on 2 Jan 1739 at St Andrews, Farnham. No baptisms in Frensham in the 1740's recorded the father as Thomas Chuter, but there was one in Farnham. That is where Thomas and Ann likely settled after their marriage. A son, Thomas Chuter, was born to Thomas Chuter and baptised on 16 Aug 1749.

Dates of death for Thomas and Ann Chuter nee Burchett are unknown.

65.3 William Chuter (1713-1714)

William Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 1 Apr 1713. William must have died as an infant because another child was baptised with that name in 1717.

65.4 Ann Chuter (1715-?)

Baptisms Farnham 1715: February 2nd Anne daughter of Thomas Chuter

Ann Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 2 Feb 1715 and named after her mother. No more is known about Ann.

65.5 William Chuter (1717-?)

William Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 12 Jan 1717. He was the second child with that name and no more is known about him.

65.6 Stephen Chuter (1718-?)

Farnham Baptisms 1718: 24 Sep 1718

Stephen Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 24 Sep 1718. No more is known about Stephen

65.7 James Chuter (1720-1729)

James Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 25 Sep 1720.

James Chuter died at the age of 9 and was buried in Farnham on 10 Nov 1729.

65.8 Elizabeth Chuter (1723-?)

Elizabeth Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 24 May 1723. Elizabeth aged 41 may have married John Bayley at Witley (9 miles from Farnham)  on 31 May 1764. No more is known about her life.

65.9 Sarah Chuter (1724-1725)

Sarah Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 19 Oct 1724.

Sadly baby Sarah died early the following year and was buried at Farnham on 7 Feb 1725.

65.10 Rebecca Chuter (1725-1725)

Rebecca Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 26 Sep 1725.

Rebecca Chuter died seven weeks later and was buried at Farnham on 16 Nov 1725

65.11 Rachel Chuter (1727-1727)

 Rachel Chuter was baptised in Farnham on 11 Dec 1727.

 Rachel Chuter died a week later and was buried at Farnham on 19 Dec 1727.

66.0 Second Generation: GGGGGGP John Chuter (1709-1793) & Elizabeth Sone (1712-1780)

Baptisms Farnham 1709: bottom entry

John Chuter was born in 1709 and was christened on 20 Sep 1709 in St Andrew's, Farnham, Surrey. He was the first child of parents GGGGGGGP Thomas Chuter (1684-1746) and Anne Beldham.

Marriages Frensham 1730: John Chouter & Elizabeth Sone? married October 6th

At the age of 21 John married Elizabeth Sone 17, on 6 Oct 1730 at St Mary's Frensham (4 miles from Farnham).

NOTE: At least four Chuter men took brides who were 15, 16 or 17 years old; Thomas Chuter c1680, John Chuter b1709, John Chuter b1732 and James Chuter b1746.

Baptisms Frensham 1713: 28 Jan 1713: Elizabeth daughter of John Soane

Elizabeth had been baptised in St Andrew's, Farnham on 28 Jan, 1713 and was the daughter of GGGGGGGF John Soane (Sone), tailor. John Chuter b1709 and Elizabeth Chuter nee Sone settled in Frensham and most of their eight children were baptised there.

Their eight offspring were Elizabeth Chuter (1731-?), GGGGGF John Chuter (1732-1824, see 68.0), Thomas Chuter (1734-1804, see 67.3), Anne Chuter (1737-1789), Mary Chuter (1738-1738), William Chuter (1740-1758), Stephen Chuter (1742-1827) and James Chuter (1746-1827). All were baptised in Frensham. Elizabeth Chuter nee Sone was 35 when she had her last baby.

Burials Frensham 1780: Elizabeth Chuter, wife of John Chuter was buried March 7th

GGGGGGM Elizabeth Chuter nee Sone aged 67 died in 1780 and was buried on 7 Mar 1780 in Frensham.

Burials Frensham 1793: Private Burial: John Chuter widower July the 10th

GGGGGGF John Chuter died in 1793 aged 84, and was buried on 10 Jul 1793 in Frensham, Surrey.

67.0 Nine Children of  GGGGGGP John Chuter (1709-1793) & Elizabeth Sone (1712-1780)
On most baptism records John's surname was spelt 'Chouter'. As was a common practice at the time, John and Elizabeth Chuter named their first two children after themselves

67.1 Elizabeth Chuter (1731-?)

Baptisms Frensham: Elizabeth daughter of John Chouter bapt April 6th. 1731

Elizabeth was baptised in Frensham on 6 Apr 1731 by her father John Chuter. No more is known.

67.2 GGGGGF John Chuter (1732-1824)
John Chuter was baptised in Frensham on 27 Oct 1732. The wording read "John son of John Chouter".

At the age of 24, John married GGGGGM Elizabeth Patrick and they had a family of ten children. See 69.0 for more information.

67.3 Thomas Chuter (1734-1804) & Sarah Jeffrey

Baptisms Frensham 1734: "Thomas son of John Chouter (hard to read) baptised Jun 14"

Thomas was baptised in Frensham on 14 Jun 1734.

Thomas Chuter 22 married Sarah Jeffrey in Frensham 19 on 12 Oct 1757. Neither party signed their names, but witness John Chuter did sign. John was Thomas' brother, as can be seen by comparing their signatures. Sarah Jeffrey was the daughter of Richard Jeffrey and was christened on 12 May 1738 in Binsted, Hampshire (5 miles from Frensham).

Thomas and Sarah had the following eight children; Sarah Chuter b1758, Thomas Chuter b1759, James Chuter b1762, Mary Chuter 1764, Ann Chuter b1769, Elizabeth Chuter b1772, James Chuter 1776 and Stephen Chuter b1778. All were baptised in Frensham. Details of the lives of each of Thomas' children can be found in 33.0

Letter requesting release of Thomas Chuter

In 1781 Thomas was arrested for poaching a fallow deer in Binsted and fined 20 pounds or one year in gaol. Initially he was sent to Winchester Gaol, but somehow the family were able to pay the fine and he was ordered to be released on 17 Mar 1781 (See extract from letter above). His absence from his family would have made life very hard for his wife, as she was looking after eight children, three of whom were under ten years of age.

It seems that Thomas' poaching behaviour was passed on to his youngest son, Stephen Chuter b1778, and two of his grandsons, who were all transported to Australia in the 1800's (see below).

Thomas Chuter died on 11 May 1804 with his age recorded as 72, in Frensham, Surrey. He was buried on 11 May 1804 in St Mary's, Frensham, Surrey. Sarah Chuter nee Jeffrey died in 1824 and was buried on 4 Apr 1824 in Frensham, Surrey.

67.4 Ann Chuter (1737-1789)

Baptisms Frensham 1737: "Ann daughter of John Chouter baptised Jan 15"

Ann was baptised in Frensham on 15 Jan 1737.

Ann aged 32 may have given birth to an illegitimate child, who she named James Chuter, in Frensham on 23 Apr 1769.

Ann's baby died a few days after birth. Ann 43 was unmarried in 1780, and was a witness at brother Stephen's wedding to Ann Brider. Ann b1737 may have not married and was probably buried in Frensham on 19 Mar 1789 at the age of 52. No more is known about her life

67.5 Mary Chuter (1738-1738)

Baptisms Frensham 1738: "Mary Daughter of John Chouter Bapt Dec? 14"

Mary was baptised in Frensham on 14 Dec 1738.

Mary died one week later and was buried in Frensham on 22 Dec 1738

67.6 William Chuter (1740-1758)

Baptisms Frensham 1740: "William son of John Chouter bapt Mar 28"

William was baptised in Frensham on 28 Mar 1740. William "son of John Chuter" died in 1758 and was buried in Frensham on 8 Oct 1758.

67.7 Mary Chuter (1742-?)

Mary was baptised in Frensham on 29 Apr 1742. She was the second daughter with that name born to John Chuter. Her sister died in 1738. No more is known about Mary b1742.

67.8 Stephen Chuter (1744-1827) & Letitia Cobbet

Stephen was baptised in Frensham on 18 Oct 1744.

At the age of 22 Stephen Chuter married Letitia Cobbet 21 at Frensham on 16 Nov 1766. Neither signed their names, but witness John Chuter (Stephen's brother), did sign his name. John Chuter was also a witness at brother Thomas' wedding in 1757 as can seen by comparing his signature on each marriage registration.

Stephen and Letitia had at least one child named Stephen Chuter baptised in 1770.

Letitia Chuter nee Cobbet ("wife of Stephen Chuter") died in 1774.

Stephen remarried on 6 Jun 1780 and witnesses this time were James Porter and unmarried sister Ann Chuter b1737. His second wife was Ann Brider b1757 and she gave birth to two more sons named John Chuter b1780 and Thomas Chuter b1783. Second wife Ann Chuter nee Brider died in 1803.

Stephen Chuter died in 1827 at the age of 86 (really 82). He was buried in Farnham on 28 May 1827.

67.9 James Chuter (1746-1827) & Ann Trusler

James was baptised in Frensham on 25 April 1746 and was the last child born to his mother Elizabeth Chuter nee Sone, who was aged 35 at the time of his birth. James' future wife was Ann Trusler. Ann was born in Frensham, but was much younger than James and is the youngest woman/girl to have married into our extended family.

The baptism record is hard to read; "Ann Daughter of Abraham Trusler was baptised Feb 27, 1754". No other records of other Ann Truslers can be found, so we must assume that 24 year old James married a fifteen year old. If her baptism was a few months after her birth then her birth year was actually 1753. This was confirmed by her given age at death.
NOTE:  At least four Chuter men took brides who were 15, 16 or 17 years old; Thomas Chuter c1680, John Chuter b1709, John Chuter b1732 and James Chuter b1746.

At the age of 24 James Chuter married Ann Trusler 15 at Frensham. They were married on 13 Nov 1768 and neither was able to sign their names. As was the case with James' brothers, brother John Chuter was a witness at the wedding and he signed his name.

James and Ann had nine children who were named Ann Chuter 1771-1859, Sarah Chuter, 1775-?, James Chuter 1780-1781, James Chuter 1784-1869, William Chuter 1787-1859, Maria Chuter 1790-1864 and Charlotte Chuter 1793-1867. All were baptised in Frensham.

Ann Chuter nee Trusler died in 1824 and was buried in Frensham on 15 Nov. Her age at death confirms a birth prior to Nov 1753.

James Chuter 84 (really 81) died two years after his wife in 1826 and was buried in Frensham on 12 Sep 1827.

67.9a James Chuter (1784-1869) & Sarah Inwood

James, "son of James Chuter" and Ann Trussler, was baptised on 26 Dec 1784 in St Mary's, Frensham.

At the age of 20, James Chuter of the Parish of Frensham married 22 year old Sarah Inwood (1782-1863) of the same Parish on 31 Oct 1804 at St Mary's Frensham. Neither was able to sign their names.

James and Sarah had the following seven known children; William Chuter 1810-1882 (Later transported to Australia; See 71.3), John Chuter 1812-1812 (died aged 77 days), Caroline Chuter 1813-?, Samuel Chuter 1817-1901, Eliza Chuter 1818-1835, Sarah Chuter 1822-1822 and Emma Chuter 1825-1901. Sarah was 43 when she had her last child. On some of the baptism records James was described as a bricklayer, and on some of his children's marriage registrations he was listed as a builder. James was one of the earliest Chuters to get involved in the construction industry (from at least the early 1800's)

In 1841 James Chuter 55 (really 57), bricklayer, and Sarah Chuter 55 were living in Dockenfield with son Samuel Chuter 26. Ages were often rounded down at this census.

1851 Census Dockenfield

In 1851 James 66 (really 67) and Sarah Chuter 68 were still living in Dockenfield, but now with grandson George Cole 6. James was described as a bricklayer, who was born in Frensham.

James Chuter died at Dockenfield on 2 Sep 1869, aged 86. He was buried at Frensham on 8 Sep 1869.

68.0 Third Generation: GGGGGP John Chuter (1732-1824) & Elizabeth Patrick (1741-1812)

Baptisms Frensham 1732

John was born in 1732 to parents John Chuter (1709-1793) & Elizabeth Sone and was christened on 27 Oct 1732 in St Mary's, Frensham. The registration reads "John, son of John Chouter bapt Oct 27".

Marriages Frensham 1757

At the age of 24, John married Elizabeth Patrick on 12 Apr 1757 (aged 16, if she was born in the same year as her baptism) in St Mary's, Frensham. John signed his name but Elizabeth made her 'mark'. Robert Patrick was one of the witnesses.

Elizabeth had been baptised in Frensham on 27th Sep 1741 as "daughter of Robert Patrick".

NOTE: According to these documents, Elizabeth was unusually young when she was married. It was not unknown for children to sometimes be baptised a year or two after birth, so she may in fact have been older. She was not the only "child bride", born in Frensham. At least four Chuter men took brides who were 15, 16 or 17 years old; Thomas Chuter c1680, John Chuter b1709, John Chuter b1732 and James Chuter b1746.

Initially the couple settled in Frensham, where their first child, Mary Chuter was born in 1760 (when Elizabeth was 19). However, by 1764 they had moved to Farnham, where they had their nine other children (See below). Elizabeth's last child was born in 1787 when she was in her mid forties. In 1791 John Chuter was listed as an occupier of land in Farnham owned by John Inwoods.

Burials St Andrews, Farnham 1812

Elizabeth Chuter nee Patrick died in Dec 1812 aged 71 and was buried on 25 Dec 1812 in  Farnham. As Elizabeth was described as the wife of John Chuter and not his widow, John must have still been alive at that time.

Some family histories list John's death as 1812 at Farnham, but that record, clearly lists John as being 77 days old! Another record lists him as being buried on 4 Oct 1824 in Farnham at the age of 94. In reality, he reached the remarkable age of 92.

69.0 Ten Children of GGGGGP John Chuter (1732-1824) & Elizabeth Patrick (1741-1812)

69.1 Mary Chuter (1760-1762)

Mary was born in 1760 and was christened on 3 Aug 1760 in Frensham. Mary died in 1762 and was buried on 8 Aug 1762 in Frensham, Surrey.

69.2 Ann Chuter (1764-1784) & John Barnard

Ann was born in 1764 and was christened on 14 Jul 1764 in Farnham, Surrey.

Ann Chuter 23 married widower John Barnard on 10 Apr 1787 in Farnham, Surrey.

Burials Farnham 16 Nov 1784

John's first wife (also named Ann) died in 1784. Three years later Ann Chuter married widower John Barnard. She signed her name, but John made his mark. John and Ann had one known child named William Barnard, baptised on 7 Aug 1787. No more is known about Ann and her family.

69.3 Elizabeth Chuter (1768-?)

Elizabeth was born in 1768 and was christened by John Chuter (Jno) on 15 Oct 1768 in Farnham, Surrey. The record tells us that the Chuter family were living at Wrecclesham, which is on the outskirts of Farnham. No more is known

69.4 Jane Chuter (1770-1770)

Jane was born in 1770 and was christened on 20 Sep 1770 in Farnham, Surrey. Her parents were listed as John and Elizabeth Chuter. She died in 1770 and was buried on 4 Oct 1770 in Farnham, Surrey.

69.5 Charlotte Chuter (1771-1793) & Thomas Baker

Charlotte was born in 1771 and was christened on 4 Oct 1771 in Farnham, Surrey.

At the age of 20, Charlotte Chuter married Thomas Baker on 8 Aug 1791 in Farnham, Surrey. Both made their marks. The following year Thomas and Charlotte had a child, who they named Thomas, baptised on 3 Mar 1792. Sadly Charlotte "wife of Thomas Baker", died the following year and was buried in Farnham on 17 Mar 1793.

69.6 William Chuter (1774-1839) & Sarah Burningham

William was born in 1774 and was christened by parents John and Elizabeth Chuter on 18 Nov 1774 in Farnham, Surrey.

William married Sarah Burningham (daughter of Bryant L Burningham and Mary North) on 26 Mar 1796 in St Andrew's, Farnham. William signed his name but Sarah made her mark. Sarah Burningham was born on 11 Jan 1772 in Bentley, Hampshire (5 miles from Farnham).

William and Sarah Burningham had eight known children named William Chuter 1797-?, John Chuter 1799, Thomas Chuter 1801, James Chuter 1803, Sarah Chuter 1805, Henry Chuter 1808, Stephen Chuter 1810 and Charlotte Chuter 1813-1883; all baptised in Farnham. Sarah Chuter nee Burningham was 41 when she had her last child in 1813.

Daughter Charlotte Chuter (b1813) 26 married Francis Callender on 11 Feb 1839 at nearby Guildford. On the marriage registration her father was described as a sawyer. Witnesses were Charlotte's brother; Henry b1809 and sister in law Julia Sarah Chuter nee Stovold b1805. Charlotte died in 1883 and probate was granted to her nephews George Chuter, baker and James Chuter innkeeper, both of whom resided in Farnham. James and George were children of her sibling William Chuter b1797 and his wife Elizabeth Chuter nee Roe. William b1797 was a sawyer like his father.

William Chuter died at the age of 67 in Nov 1839 and was buried on 14 Nov in Farnham.

The widowed Sarah Chuter nee Burningham 70 was living and working with the Cover family in Park Lane, Farnham in 1841, not far from James and Ann Clapshaw nee Moss and Elizabeth Moss nee Legg 76 in Castle St. (See 52.3). The census indicated that Sarah was not born in Surrey (she was born in Hampshire) and was working as a laundress.

Sarah Chuter nee Burningham died at the age of 87 (really 85) in 1857 and was buried on 13 Feb in Farnham, Surrey.

69.7 Jane Chuter (1776-1862) & William Tilbury

Jane was born in 1776 and was christened on 26 Oct 1776 in Farnham, Surrey. She was the second daughter to be given the name Jane, after her older sister had died as an infant.

At the age of 21, Jane Chuter married William Tilbury on 26 Sep 1797 in Farnham, Surrey. Both made their mark. One of the witnesses was James Wells, who had been a witness at sister Charlotte's wedding six years earlier. William and Jane had four known children; William Tilbury 1797, Elisabeth Tilbury 1801, Jane Tilbury 1805 and Mary Ann Tilbury 1808; all baptised in Farnham.

Jane Tilbury nee Chuter was a witness at the marriages of two of her brothers; Thomas in 1801 and Stephen in 1810.

In 1841 William 70 and Jane Tilbury nee Chuter 65 were living in East St, Farnham. William was employed as a 'post boy'!

In 1851 widow Jane Tilbury 73 parish pauper (late needlewoman) was living with her widowed daughter Elizabeth Temple and three grand daughters in Downing St, Farnham. By 1861 Jane 83 had moved to Longbridge St , but she was still living with two grand-daughters.

Jane Tilbury nee Chuter died at the age of 84 (really 85) in 1862 and was buried in Farnham on 14 Jan. Her residence at the time was listed as Longbridge, Farnham.

69.8 James Chuter (1779-?)

James was born in 1779 and was christened by parents John and Elizabeth Chuter on 18 Jun 1779 in Farnham, Surrey. No more is known about James.

NOTE: There were several other James Chuters born in the area at this time, including three born four miles away in Frensham. The three James Chuters born in Frensham were cousins to James b1779; born to brothers of James' father John Chuter. They were James born in 1777 to Thomas Chuter, and two sons named James born in 1780 (d1781) and 1784 to James Chuter b1746. I have allocated records to each James on the basis of location, age, and where no other clues can be found, according to an 'educated guess'. Hopefully I have it right.

69.9 Thomas Chuter (1781-?) & Ann Collins

Thomas was baptised on 19 Jan 1781 in Farnham, Surrey.

At the age of 21 Thomas married Ann Collins on 19 Oct 1801 in Farnham, Surrey. Both were 'of this parish' and both signed the registration. Witnesses were James Collins (Ann's brother) and Thomas' sister Jane Tilbury nee Chuter. These witnesses were also witnesses at brother Stephen's wedding in 1810. Thomas' wife was probably born in Frensham in 1775. She may have been related to brother Stephen's wife, GGGGM Mary Collins (see below).

No more is known about Thomas and Ann Chuter nee Collins.

69.10 GGGGF Stephen Chuter (1787-1867) & GGGGM Mary Collins

Stephen was the last child born to parents John Chuter (1732-1824) and Elizabeth Patrick. He was  baptised on 4 May 1787. According to the above records, Stephen's mother (b1741) was at least 45 when she gave birth to Stephen.

Stephen married GGGGM Mary Collins in St Andrew's, Farnham in 1810. They had eleven children, some of whom started a very successful building company in Epsom. Stephen Chuter died in 1867 in Epsom, Surrey. For more details about the life of Stephen and Mary Chuter nee Collins see Main Entry at 60.2.

70.0 Nine Children of Thomas Chuter (1732-1804) & Sarah Jeffrey (1738-1824) 

For details of Thomas and Sarah's early lives in Frensham see 67.3. Thomas was one of the few Chuters to get into trouble with the law. One Ancestry Tree (by alohalesley) lists him as "Thomas (The Crime Boss) Chuter"! I am not sure whether he deserves that title, but it seems to be a fact that some of his descendants including at least one son and two grandsons paid dearly for their crimes. It should be noted that their crimes were that of poaching, and may have been an attempt to put food on the table for their families.

70.1 Sarah Chuter (1758-1790) & James Porter
Sarah was baptised on 24 Feb 1758 in Frensham, Surrey. Sarah was named after her mother.

Sarah married James Porter on 9 Dec 1778 in Frensham, Surrey. James Porter was born about 1747. James and Sarah had five known children, who were all baptised in Frensham. James Porter died on 17 Feb 1838 in Frensham, Surrey. Sarah Porter nee Chuter died at the age of 32 on 9 Sep 1790 in Frensham, Surrey.

70.2 Thomas Chuter (1759-1843) & Amy May
Thomas was named after his father and baptised on 21 Jul 1759 in Frensham, Surrey.

Thomas married Amey May on 22 Nov 1780 in St Mary's, Frensham. Neither were able to sign their names on the marriage registration. Thomas' brother-in-law James Porter was a witness. Amey was born in Farnham in 1761. In 1841 Thomas 80 year old widower and ag lab was living alone in Halls Cottage, Frensham. He died on 12 Nov 1843 at Hall's Farm, Frensham, Surrey.

70.3 John Chuter (1762-1835) & Jane Marshall

 John was baptised on 21 May 1762 in Frensham, Surrey.

At the age of 23 John Chuter married Jane Marshall in Frensham. John Chuter signed his name. The marriage occured on 30 May 1785 and was witnessed by Jane's brother John Marshall. There were no known children. In 1820 John was listed as a shopkeeper in Frensham on the 'Freeholder List'.

John Chuter died in at the age of 73 in 1835 and was buried at Frensham on 18 Jun 1873.

In his will, John left his estate to wife Jane, his wife's nephew and niece David and Elisha Marshall and some friends.

70.4 Mary Chuter (1764-?) & James Inwood
Mary was baptised on 20 Jun 1764 in Frensham, Surrey.

At the age of 32, Mary married James Inwood on 1 May 1797 in Frensham, Surrey. James signed his name but Mary made her mark. James may have been related to Sarah Inwood (see 67.9a), who married cousin James Chuter b1784.

James and Mary had the following children; William Inwood 1798, Sarah Inwood b1800 and Charlotte Inwood b1804. The date of death of Mary Inwood nee Chuter is unknown.

70.5 Ann Chuter (1769-1859) & James Wheeler

Ann was baptised on 2 Dec 1769 in Frensham, Surrey.

At the age of 20 Ann married James Wheeler at Frensham. The wedding took place on 21 Apr 1790 and one of the witnesses was brother, John Chuter. Neither James nor Ann could sign their names.

James and Ann Wheeler nee Chuter had nine known children; John Wheeler 1790-?, Sarah Wheeler 1792-?, William Wheeler 1794-?, Elizabeth Wheeler 1797-1869, Anne Wheeler 1799-?, James Wheeler 1802-?, Letitia Wheeler 1804-?, Jane Wheeler 1806-1885 and George Wheeler 1811-?. All were baptised in Frensham and Ann was 42 when she gave birth to her last child.

Ann Wheeler nee Chuter died at the age of 90 in 1859. She was buried in Frensham on 4 July 1859.

70.6 Elizabeth Chuter (1772-1815) & Moses Baker

Elizabeth was baptised on 30 Jul 1772 in Frensham, Surrey.

Elizabeth married Moses Baker on 31 May 1803 in St Mary's, Frensham. Both made their mark. Moses and Elizabeth had four known children named Sarah Baker 1804, Moses Baker 1806, Thomas Baker 1809 and Emma Baker 1814. Elizabeth Baker nee Chuter died in May 1815 and was buried on 14 May 1815 in St Mary's, Frensham aged 42.

70.7 Letisha Chuter (1774-1812) & John Marner
Letisha was baptised on 19 Jun 1774 in Frensham, Surrey.

Letisha married John Marner on 26 Oct 1795 in Frensham, Surrey. Both made their mark. The couple settled 13 miles away at Northchapel, where they started their family. Letisha gave birth to three children named Letisha Marner 1804, John  Marner 1807 and James Marner 1810.

Letisha Marner nee Chuter died at the age of 38 and was buried in Northchapel on 7 Nov 1812.

70.8 James Chuter (1776-1777)
NOTE: Not to be confused with cousin James Chuter born in 1784 in Frensham see 67.9a.

James, "son of Thomas Chuter", was born about 1776 and christened on 10 Nov 1776 in St Mary's, Frensham.

Baby James, "son of Thomas Chuter", died the following year and was buried at Frensham on 28 Jan 1777.

70.9 Stephen Chuter (1778-1836) & Sarah Cole

Stephen, "son of Thomas Chuter", was born on 12 Sep 1778 and was christened on 9 Dec 1778 in St Mary's, Frensham, Surrey.

At the age of 29 Stephen married Sarah Cole 23 in Farnham on 31 Jan 1808. Sarah was born in 1784 in Farnham, Surrey. Stephen and Sarah had three known children; Stephen Chuter Jr 1809-1877, Thomas Chuter 1811-? and Benjamin Chuter 1817-1883.

It is likely that Stephen was committed to the Surrey Assizes on 1 May 1809, by Lord Viscount Middleton sitting as a magistrate. He was charged and on 11 July "convicted on his own confession, with having had in his possession part of a deer, at Frensham, without being duly authorized, against the statute, by reason whereof he hath forfeited the sum of ten pounds, and also eleven shillings charges, which he hath refused to pay". For this he was imprisoned in the County Gaol in Southwark for six months.

Farnham Poor Law index records a removal order dated 3 Aug 1809 for Sarah Chuter and her son Stephen (b1809) aged 5 months from Frensham to Farnham.

In 1817 Stephen and William Chuter were both charged with sheep stealing, but luckily for them they were both aquitted. There is no way of knowing which Stephen faced the courts that day, but judging by his other interactions with the law, it is likely to have been Stephen b1778. William Chuter, his co-accused was likely to have been one of Stephen's cousins. Stephen's wife, Sarah Chuter nee Cole, died on 11 Feb 1824.

The four Chuter men were held in a prison hulk whilst awaiting transportation.

A decade later, Stephen was again hauled before the courts, but this time he did not fare so well. On 20 Oct 1835 at Winchester Assizes, Stephen Chuter b1778 (cousin of GGGGF Stephen Chuter b1787, see 60.2), his sons Stephen Chuter 26 (b1809) and Benjamin Chuter 17 (b1817) and cousin  William Chuter 24 (b1810), all of Frensham, were convicted of (in the youths' case) stealing a sheep from a field at Rank's Hill (a mile or two from Frensham) on 16 September and (in the old man's case) receiving several joints of the sheep. Stephen Snr was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and the others were sentenced to be transported for life. After spending months in the notorious prison hulk 'Hardy' at Portsmouth, they were transported to Australia on the Moffatt, arriving in NSW on 30 Aug 1836. They would never see their families again.

The local newspaper, 'Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle' 26 Oct 1835 reported the crime, but incorrectly listed William Chuter as a son of Stephen b1778. "At this Sessions no less than four persons were Transported for Life for sheep-stealing, viz. George Bulpit, for stealing a horn-sheep from Henry Stainer, of Eling; and three brothers of the names of Stephen, Benjamin, and William Chuter, for stealing a wether from a field in the parish of Kingsley, the property of Mrs. Ann Hoare. In the latter case, the aged father, Stephen Chuter, the elder, was also sentenced to be transported for seven years, for having received several joints of the said sheep, knowing it to have been stolen."

Two weeks later on 9 Nov 1835 the same paper reported that, "The following convicts have been removed during the week on board the York hulk, in Portsmouth harbour; George Bulpit, Stephen Chuter snr, Benjamin Chuter, Wm. Chuter, Geo. Blake, and Stephen Chuter, jun."

The NSW Convict Indenture provides details about Stephen including that he was a 60 year old widowed farm servant, a protestant, could read (but not write) and his physical description listed a height of 5ft 4½ inches, black and grey hair, brown eyes, no teeth, "hairy breast, rather deaf" and scars on hands. It also mentioned that he had one prior conviction which had resulted in a six month jail term (see above).

Stephen had been unwell before he left England and his condition deteriorated after the long sea voyage to Australia. He died in Sydney General Hospital and was buried on 9 Sep 1836 in Sydney with a given age of 60, but really 59

71.0 Relatives of Stephen Chuter (1778-1836) Convict
The information in this chapter was largely supplied by Stephen Priestley. Stephen Chuter b1778 was transported to Australia with two of his sons and a cousin. None of them would ever see their English families again. These Chuter  men were probably our earliest (but distant) relatives to arrive in Australia.

71.1 Stephen Chuter jnr (1809-1877)

Stephen was the first born "son of Stephen and Sarah Chuter nee Cole" At the age of 15 days? he was baptised on 26 Mar 1809 at St Mary's, Frensham. Soon after his birth, his father, Stephen snr was imprisoned in the County Gaol in Southwark for six months.

Farnham Poor Law index records a removal order dated 3 Aug 1809, for Sarah Chuter and her son Stephen (b1809) aged 5 months from Frensham to Farnham.

In 1835 Stephen jnr was charged with sheep stealing (along with his father and brother) and sentenced to transportation to Australia for life.

The NSW Convict Indenture provides details, including that he was a single 29 year old farm labourer, a protestant, could read and write and had no previous convictions. His physical description listed a height of 5ft 3¼ inches, brown hair, brown eyes, missing one tooth, scar on left eyebrow and tattoos of a ship, anchor and a flowerpot.

Apparently the younger Stephen absconded in May 1840 and was apprehended the following month. In 1847, he was a stockman working for Henry A. Turner, a cattle farmer in Gurrundah, NSW. A Conditional Pardon was granted on 9 Jun 1849 (but he was not permitted to return to the UK). It seems that he was eventually able to set up as farmer in his own right.

'The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser', 12 April 1877: "An inquest was held on the body of Stephen Chuter, a man about 60 years of age. John Hunt deposed: I am a carrier residing at Albury, and have known deceased for many years. I was riding [with him] when he left Simpson's Wodonga Hotel. A man named Richardson was leading a young spirited horse. Richardson set off galloping, and deceased galloped after him; as deceased passed me his hat fell off; he tried to pull up, but could not, and in swaying from side to side he fell off on the off side of the horse, falling on to his shoulders and head. The doctor attributed death to compression of the brain by haemorrhage, caused by the fall from a horse. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony." It appears that Stephen died without an heir as the administration of his estate, valued at £143 6/6d, was granted to the Curator of the Estates of Deceased Persons.

71.2 Benjamin Chuter (1817-1883)

Benjamin was baptised on 31 Aug 1817 at Frensham by parents Stephen and Sarah Chuter nee Cole. At the age of 18 in 1835, he was sentenced to transportation to Australia for life for sheep stealing.

The NSW Convict Indenture provides details about him, including that he was a single 19 year old farm labourer, a protestant, could read and write and had no previous convictions. His physical description listed a height of 5ft 7 inches, black hair, brown eyes, eyebrows meeting, nose bent to right and scars on hands.

SMH 22 Apr 1850

After serving his sentence Benjamin Chuter (who arrived on the ship Moffit) was granted a Ticket of Leave in 1845 and a Conditional Pardon in 1850. In 1861, he appears to have been digging in the Rocky River goldfield, near Armidale. In August, the Armidale Express reported that "The various tunnelling parties here are prosecuting their labours with a vigour of energy which deserves, and will ensure success. Messrs. Parker, Chuter and Co., whose tunnel enters Mount Walsh, on the Northern side, are now 150 feet in, the whole of which has been driven through hard granite. They expect some four or five hundred feet of the same kind of driving before payable ground is reached."

Armidale Express 30 Dec 1865

He was declared insolvent in 1865. Armidale Express 8 July 1865: "New Insolvents; Benjamin Chuter, of Saumarez, late of Rocky River, labourer. Liabilities, £88 8s 1d. Assets, £16 15s. Mr. Sempill, official assignee." Life did have its lighter moments, In 1865 Benjamin won 5s on a game of quoits.

Armidale Express 16 May 1879

He apparently made a remarkable financial recovery, because in May 1879, the Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser published a detailed description of a property he had for sale. "Mr. Benjamin Chuter to sell, by public auction, 372 Acres, known as the Surry Hill Farm, near Mount Butler, situated about Seven Miles from Armidale, with rights to Lease of 1100 Acres, granted".

Armidale Express 3 Aug 1883

After Benjamin's death a few years later on 20 July 1883 aged 66, his estate was valued at £298. In a will dated November 1872, he left all his estate to his wife, Amelia Susannah Millington, whom he had married earlier that year in Armidale.There were no known children.

71.3 William Chuter (1810-1882) Son of James Chuter & Sarah Inwood
William was 24 on conviction for sheep stealing in 1835, which would mean he was born around 1810/11. He was a cousin of Stephen and Benjamin Chuter; sons of his uncle, Thomas Chuter.

The only baptism in Frensham that matches, was "William, son of James b1784 and Sarah Chuter" nee Inwood, who was baptised 20 Oct 1810 aged 8 days. (See 67.9a)

William married Jane Legg 24 June 1835 at St Mary's Frensham, just a few months before he was tried for theft in Oct 1835. William signed the marriage registration but Jane made her 'mark'.

William was transported to Australia on the 'Moffatt', arriving in NSW on 30 Aug 1836, never to see his first wife again. The NSW Convict Indenture provides details including that he was a married 25 year old (a "good") sawyer, a protestant, could read and write and had one previous conviction in which he had been given a 12 month jail term. His physical description listed a height of 5ft 4½ inches, "much freckled", brown hair, hazel eyes and scars on his face. He was a cousin to the accomplices above.

In Australia William fared rather better than his cousins.

SMH 4 Nov 1850

William received a conditional pardon on 20 Sep 1850 that applied to everywhere except U.K and Ireland. He wasted no time in exercising his freedom. In Mar 1851 he was fined 5s for "riding on his dray"!

In 1851 at the age of 41, he married Susannah Lavender nee Blue b1805, the widowed daughter of the notorious Sydney character Billy Blue (if you don't know about Billy Blue, you can find plenty about him on the web).

SMH 20 Dec 1852

On 20 December 1851 William announced that he would take responsibility for all debts incurred by his wife's former husband.

SMH, 3 Mar 1852

The licence for the Macquarie Inn was transferred to William Chuter from Susannah on 2 March 1852. Susannah appears to have inherited some of her father's substantial landholdings on the North Shore.

William and Susannah led quite an interesting and eventful life. 'Sydney Morning Herald' 25 January 1859: "John Schofield appeared on summons, charged with wilfully damaging the door of a house occupied by Susannah Chuter, at the North Shore. Defendant is the son-in-law of complainant, and went to the house in question to inquire for his wife, and being informed that she was inside, and he being denied admittance, he broke in the door. Ordered to pay 20s, the cost of repairing the door, and 6s. 6d. costs of Court."

Sydney Mail 12 Aug 1871

Susannah Chuter nee Lavender died in Feb 1861 and in May 1861, the Billy Blue Inn was advertised for sale at £725, Chuter House for £1055 and 30 building plots on the Chuter Estate at 10/- to 21/- per foot (Sydney Morning Herald). William had evidently put his own name on Susannah's inherited property; or he may have added to it. There were no children from William's first marriage.

William wasted no time in marrying again that same year, to Catherine O'Malley b1817 and he started to have some run-ins with the authorities. 'The Empire' 10 January 1862: "William Chuter, landlord of the Billy Blue Inn, Miller-street, St. Leonard's, convicted of a breach of the Publican's Licensing Act, by unlawfully keeping a skittle ground on his premises, was fined £5, with 6s 3d. costs and £1 1s professional costs."

'Sydney Morning Herald' 8 May 1862 published an article, which if true, showed a very ugly side of William Chuter. "William Chuter, publican, North Shore, appeared to answer the complaint of Elizabeth McDougall, that he had unlawfully assaulted and beaten her. Complainant stated (and her evidence was in the material points corroborated by other witnesses) that she was the wife of Alexander McDougall, residing on the North Shore. She had known defendant for the last eight years — he was formerly her landlord. Between three and four o'clock on the evening of last Tuesday week, her husband being absent in the country in search of work, she was sitting, with her child at the breast, when defendant came in, and, placing his back against the door, asked if her husband was at home. She replied in the negative. He then said, "The book which I have been reading today tells me that you are a common prostitute and a w---e," She asked him, " What book?" He replied, "The book I read every day, you b----r." She again asked, "What book ?" He at length said, "The Bible, you b----r" "You're a pretty man," said she, "to read the Bible and then come here and insult me when my husband's back is turned." He replied, "I'll have my revenge upon you if it costs me my life, for many a pound you've done me out of, and yourself too." She said he would not do that if her husband was present. He then dragged her by the hair into the yard, and across it to the fence, and, whilst holding her thus, with one hand, beat her about the head with the other, her child meanwhile falling on the floor of the verandah. Whilst he retained hold of her, he continued to scream out loud enough to be heard throughout the neighbourhood that she was a prostitute. She had not enraged him by calling him names. He loosed her at the fence, and she then fell, his wife having come to call him away. She suffered much from the assault, her head being still sore from the beating and dragging by the hair; her face was disfigured so much that for two days she could not come for a summons. The aggravated nature of the offence was not mitigated by anything elicited in cross-examination. Fined £5 with professional costs of prosecution."

Eventually, William's financial affairs took a turn for the worse. 'The Empire' 9 January 1865: "Insolvency Court.-New insolvent. William Chuter of North Shore, late of the Billy Blue Inn; Liabilities £1043 and Assets £532. Available for unsecured creditors, £32 2s. Deficit, £510 19s 7d."

SMH 9 Aug 1771

William's third wife Catherine Chuter nee Ryan nee O'Malley died in 1871. Four years later in 1875, William married Catherine Robertson nee Ryan b1845. William's fourth wife was 34 years his junior and was the daughter of William's third wife by a previous marriage (i.e. his step daughter). Catherine b1845 bore him his only two children from four marriages. They were two sons: William Chuter 1876-1946 and Henry Chuter 1880-1937.

SMH 16 Sep 1882

William Chuter died on 15 September 1882 aged 73 and was buried in plot H12, St Thomas Cemetery. He must have recovered well from his insolvency, because his estate was valued at £2,325. There is still a Chuter Street in the McMahons Point area of North Shore.

SMH 16 June 1905

Catherine Chuter nee Robertson died in 1905. Two of her children from different marriages placed notices in the paper; William's son Harry (Henry) Chuter and his wife, and Robert Robertson a son from her first marriage.

William's third wife Catherine Chuter nee Robertson inherited William's property assets. These were put up for auction when she died in 1905.

71.3a William Chuter: Pioneer of Sydney's North Shore
George Lavender, the boatswain later became a ferryman and lived ashore. When his cottage was burnt down in 1838, public subscriptions were invited to build him a new one, "the earnings of an industrious couple being consumed and themselves penniless". He sold his second house some ten years later and went to live at the Old Commodore Hotel, in Blue's Point Road at the head of Lavender Street.

Billy Blue

"The Old Commodore himself, Billy Blue (whose daughter George Lavender married) laughing, friendly and irrepressible, a legend in his own life-time and black as the Ace of Spades - may claim equally with Milson, if you are no snob, to have initiated the development of the whole North Shore."

Lavender Street and the adjacent Lavender Bay were named after George Lavender, boatswain of the hulk Phoenix.

William Chuter married Susannah Lavender nee Blue (1805–1861), the widowed daughter of the notorious Sydney character Billy Blue. When Susannah died in 1861 she left considerable property, which her third and final husband William Chuter subdivided in 1858. Chuter St is named for William Chuter, a stonemason, who was the third husband of Billy Blue‘s eldest daughter, Susannah. Present day Victoria Street, which intersects with Chuter Street, used to be named Susannah Street after William's first wife. In the 1860s, Chuter owned the Billy Blue Inn. Susannah died in 1861 aged 66 years. Her husband died in 1882 aged 72 years and they are both buried in St Thomas' Cemetery, West St, Crows Nest with other members of her family.

For further information:-
•www.afloat.com.au
• www.themonthly.com.au
• www.australianroyalty.net.au
• www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au (An informative 'Walking Tour' of the above locations)

72.0-73.0 Reserved for Future Use

74.0 Early Chuter Tree (c1700-c1800)