Charles  Clarke (1843 - 1888) and his wife, born Lettice Lowton (1842 - 1921)

Charles Clarke was born into a-born-and-bred Somerset family at Stocklinch Magdalen, Somerset. His date of birth was 23 July 1843 and he was baptised at the parish church there on 3 Sep 1843. By 1847 his family was at Plymouth Cross, Wellington in Somerset. 

Lettice Lowton was born at Churchstanton, the daughter of Charles Lowton and Mary, formerly Smith. Her birth date was 21 Dec 1842, and she was baptised at St.Peter and St.Pauls Church at Churchstanton on 2 March 1843. In 1861 she was a dairy maid at Pay Farm at Stapley, Somerset.

On 20 Dec 1863 Charles and Lettice married at the Parish Church, Churchstanton. Afterwards they had various addresses in Somerset and ventured briefly into Upcott, Culmstock, Devon. During this period Charles was a farm labourer, but by 1877 he found his niche working for the Great Western Railway, living by the railway at 6 Canal Cottage, Huntworth, Bridgwater, Somerset. That was where he died on 12 Oct 1888 from supposed heart disease. He was only 45. On 23 July 1921, Lettice also died there, having survived him by 33 years. She was 78. Both were buried in the cemetery at North Petherton, Somerset.

It is worthy of note that Charles and Lettice both came from a background of agricultural labouring, and yet Charles in his relatively short life saw to it that his children were educated to take up 'white collar' positions.

Charles and Lettice had ten children:

• Joseph Clarke was born on 9 Jan 1864 at Eccombe, Somerset, and baptized on 21 Jan 1864 at the parish church of St.Peter and St.Paul, Churchstanton. He died on 3 Oct 1929 at 6 Canal Cottage, Huntworth Bridge, Bridgwater, Somerset, aged 65 and was buried on 5 Oct 1929 in the cemetery at North Petherton.
• Charles Lowton Clarke was born on 17 May 1865 at Upcott, Culmstock, in Devon. He married Lily Eliza Angell on 05 Jan 1888 at St James, Portsmouth. He died on 12 Aug 1927 at 38 Catisfield Road, Portsmouth, aged 62 and was buried in Milton Cemetery, Portsmouth.
• Mary Jane Clarke (known as Polly) was born on 8 Feb 1868 at Plymouth Cross, Wellington, Somerset. She married Charles William Hillier, but had no children, possibly because of a heart condition. She was, however, well-loved as a caring aunt. She died aged 44 on 11 Mar 1912 at 'Huntworth', Third Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex.
• Sarah Ann Clarke was born on 11 Jul 1870 at Plymouth Cross, Wellington, Somerset, but died young of suspected heart disease.
• Elizabeth Clarke (Lizzie) born on 22 May 1872 at Plymouth Cross, Wellington, Somerset. She never married but was a pillar to the family, bringing up brother William’s children after his wife died. She too was a well-loved, although strict aunt. She died on 17 Aug 1962 at 21 Fernleigh Avenue, Bridgwater, Somerset, aged 90.
• Alfred Clarke was born on 2 Apr 1875 at Plymouth Cross, Wellington, Somerset. He died aged only 15 on 25 Nov 1890 at West Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, and was buried at the cemetery, North Petherton, in the same plot as his parents.
• James Clarke (1877 – 1944) was my grandfather and has his own page.
• William Clarke was born on 17 Nov 1879 at Pleamoor Cross, Wellington, Somerset. He married Rosanna Sparks in 1918 at North Petherton. She died in childbirth in 1927, leaving four children who were brought up by William’s sister Elizabeth. William died on 20 Jul 1944 at 21 Fernleigh Avenue, Bridgewater. 
• George Clarke was born on 4 Apr 1883 at North Petherton. He emigrated to Canada and died in Vancouver on 22 Apr 1963.
• Edith Clarke was born on 22 Feb 1886 at Somerset Bridge, North Petherton. She married Edward George Hodge, a builder, at North Petherton in 1905 and died in 1968 at North Petherton. I understand that the Hodge family are still builders in the area.