Saturday, October 30, 2021

Harry Bond Service.

Harry Bond
Service number 14666.

Grandfather


Privet Harry Bond

Harry was born 6th April 1864; to parents James Robert and Anne Maria Bond of Kilburn London England. He enlisted in the Australian military forces; Bunbury Western Australia Thursday 12th April 1917, he was a family man with a cheeky smile.

Harry Bond and his wife Kate Elizabeth were living in Balingup Western Australia in 1917; three of their five children Violet aged seventeen, Lena Rose aged fifteen and Cyril Leonard aged thirteen were still living at the family home in Forrest street Balingup. (Kilburn house)
Eldest daughter Lilian Bertha was living in Perth Western Australia with her husband Arthur Fitzgerald Chapman from c1916 and she was aged twenty-three in 1917.
The Eldest son Robert Vivian was aged twenty-one and convalescing in Boscombe military hospital England 1st April 1917. He was suffering from the after effects of a gas attack in the front-line trenches of France, where he was serving at the time. He had been serving in the Australian military since 1914 and was not supportive of his father Harry enlisting for military service. He may have been comforted in his assumption that his father would be home looking after things; during this time of conflict.

 It is very clear that Harry would have had compelling incentives to remain at home where he had his loving wife and three teenage children depending on his support and his being around. We must give him credit for the decision he made back then to enlist and serve his time, do his bitt. Knowing of his son Robert’s close call with death and possibly knowing of other local men who had not survived gas attacks in the trenches; he surely took account, of the possibility that he may not return. 

On the 12th April 1917 in the town of Bunbury Western Australia Harry Bond of Balingup enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, unit A.S.C (May, Reinforcements)

The A.S.C (Army Service Corps) was a complicated unit of Companies that provided other units with specialised services. The enlistment paper has no birth date entered, but Harry has stated his age as being forty-four years; a clear understatement by nine years given his birth date is 6th April 1864 in London England.
Harry was putting his age down from fifty-three to forty-four; to be eligible for enlistment for service in the army, and he has achieved his goal, for the time being.
In his application, he has nominated his calling as being a baker. He was possibly putting himself forward to an area in the army where he may not see too much action; in the catering services. 

Enlistment Form Harry Bond

He appears on English records for the last time with his London family in the 1881 England Census; Occupation Carpenter. In pre and post-war Balingup records, his calling moves from gardener to fettler and back to carpenter over a forty-five-year period. There is no mention of Harry having baking skills in any Electoral Rolls pre or post-war Balingup. 

It’s from here in Harry’s enlistment record that he begins to state truths in that his wife is Kate Elizabeth Bond and that his permanent address is the town of Balingup WA, also he has no prior military service nor had he ever been rejected for military service. 
Harry next indicates that he is perfectly willing to be inoculated against small pox and enteric fever, he was not about to let a jab or two in an arm stop him from enlisting. Finally, near the bottom of the enlistment record he allots no less than three-fifths of his army pay to the support of his wife and children. 


Amongst other military records for Harry, is a Will document that simply informs us that his will has been lodged with the Secretary of the Roads Board Balingup W.A, and an indication that he has taken account of the possibility he may not return. 
Age enlistment requirements in 1917 would have been made clear to all men offering themselves for military service, 18 – 47 years of age. By reducing his age Harry would have been offering to give three years of service.
We have men under age and men over age who are willing to do what is necessary to be enlisted into the services during WW1. In Harry Bonds case, he may have been attracted by the prospect of three years of reliable income for his family and an opportunity to travel back to the UK and his home town of London. Thousands of service men may have managed to work around the age requirement and Harry would not have been in a minority group at the time, but a group with multiple reasons for why they enlisted.     

Training camp at Black boy Hill Perth Western Australia was home for Harry and his fellow soldiers, from 1st May 1917 with periodic visits back to his family in Balingup. Military records indicate approximately a three-month time frame between training and embarkation for Sydney 1st August 1917 to sail for the UK 21st September 1917 on board SS Orita Halifax, disembarking Liverpool, UK 3rd October 1917. A very busy time for the men after signing up and training, before they are shipped off across an ocean. 

Mr. Harry Bond returned to camp from long leave on Monday, 21st.
He expects to sail for France on or about the 23rd inst.
Trove; National Library of Australia, The Blackwood Times Bunbury WA, Balingup Notes.
Fri 25th May 1917


Blackboy Hill Training Camp, Greenmount Perth W.A

This must have been a traumatic time for the family, knowing that their father was going off to the war over aged and may well find himself on the front line in France. Baking bread or not they considered the front a dangerous place for him to be.        

While Private Harry Bond was going through his training at Black boy hill or at some time after, his wife Kate was at work behind the scenes thinking up a way to scuttle her husband’s plans of a full three years of service in the army or at best preventing his movement to France. 

 Son Robert Vivian Bond may have received news from his mother, Kate; of his father’s successful enlistment and subsequent deployment to England and on to France and at some time he decided to intervene and have his father discharged from active service on the grounds of being over age. 

From October 1917 through to December 1917 Harry's service in England seems to be going well, there are no statements in his service record to suggest he has been discovered. 

On the 31st January 1918, his service record indicates that his game is up, he has been sprung and he is to return to Australia (discharge) reason senility. The family have got there way and their father is coming home where he belongs, thankfully to Viv's intervention.

On the 6th April 1918 Harry returns to Fremantle Western Australia on board RMS Osterley, and records state, Discharged 5th MD 24th April 1918. 


RMS Osterley Homeward Bound

Harry and Kate Bond remained living in Balingup up until August 1946 when they made the move to Bunbury, there is abundant community records at Trove Australia in the form of newspaper articles from the Balingup News giving acknowledgements in their community participation. 

Harry his son Robert Vivian and others returned soldiers received a big welcome home from the Balingup town community, this is well documented Balingup News at Trove Australia. 



Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

The Acton Family Line



The Acton Family line is in itself a huge complex line of Baronet's and the pinnacle achiever would have to be Lord Acton.
(3rd Great Grandmother) Sarah Acton brings this line to the Bond,s.
The Bond,s where also of high order at this time in history.
9th Great Grandfather.
1.Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet.
2.Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet (20 July 1600 - c. June 1659) was the son of Walter Acton, Sheriff of 3.Shropshire. He was created 1st Baronet Acton, of Aldenham, Aldenham Hall, in Morville, Shropshire England on 17 January 1643/44.
Sir Edward was a Royalist during the English Civil War and fought at the Battle of Edgehill and the Siege of Bridgnorth. At the Battle of Worcester he was wounded in the thigh.
Sir Edward was MP for Bridgnorth during the Long and Short Parliaments and also sat in King Charles I's Parliament at Oxford.
He married Sarah Mytton, and they had the following children:
1.Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (1621-1665)
2.Edward Acton (1623-1654)
3.Thomas Acton (1623-1677)
4.Frances Acton (1625-1626)
5.William Acton (c. 1627-1659)
6.Robert Acton (1628-1654)
7.Richard Acton (1630-1674)
8th GreatGrandfather.
Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (1621 – 1665) was the son of Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetage upon the death of his father. Sir Walter was elected MP for Bridgnorth at the Convention Parliament of 1660.
He married Catherine Cresset, and they had the following children:
1.Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet (1649-1716)
2.Walter Acton (1651-11 Mar 1718)
3.Richard Acton (b. c. 1652-Mar 1705)
4.Thomas Acton
5.William Acton
6.Robert Acton (b. 1655) 7th GreatGrandfather. > Robert Acton Jnr 6th G.Gf. > Charles Acton 5th G.Gf. > John Acton 4th G.Gf. > Sarah Acton 3rd G.Gm (hus) William Bond 3rd G.Gf. > William Robert Bond 2nd G.Gf. > James Robert Bond 1st G.Gf. > Harry Bond Grand father. > Cyril Leonard Bond. > Noel L Bond.
7.Francis Acton (1657-24 Aug 1733)
8.Catherine Acton
9.Elizabeth Acton
10.Sarah Acton
7th Great Grand Uncle.
Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet(c. 1650 - 28 September 1716) was the son of Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetage upon the death of his father. He was Tory Member of Parliament for Bridgnorth from 1689 until 1705, and was a barrister, being a member of the Inner Temple.
He married Mary Walter, and they had the following children:
1.Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Bt. (1678 - January 1732)
2.Mary Acton (born 1678)
3.Edward Acton (1681-1741)
4.John Acton (born bef. 1716)
5.Sarah Acton
6.Elizabeth Acton
7.Frances Acton (died 29 October 1718)
9.Catherine Acton
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1684 to 1685. He held the office of Recorder of Bridgnorth in 1701.
1st Cousin 8x Removed.
Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Baronet (c. 1677 - 17 January 1731/32) was the son of Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetcy upon the death of his father.
He married Lady Elizabeth Gibbon, and they had the following children:
1.Sir Richard Acton, 5th Baronet (1 January 1712-20 November 1791)
2.Elizabeth Acton (b. bef 1730)
3.Jane Acton (b. bef 1732)
4.Mary Acton (b. bef 1732)
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1727 to 1728.
2nd Cousin7x removed
Sir Richard Acton, 5th Baronet (1 January 1712 - 20 November 1791) was an English baronet. The son of Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Bt., he succeeded to the baronetcy upon the death of his father.
He married Lady Anne Grey, Daughter of Henry Grey, 3rd Earl of Stamford on 21 September 1744, and they had the following children:
1.Elizabeth Acton (b. 1746)
2.Frances Acton (1749-1762)
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1751 to 1752.
As he had no surviving male issue, the title went to his distant cousin, Sir John Acton.
Sir John Francis Edward Acton, 6th Baronet (3 June 1736 – 12 August 1811) was commander of the naval forces of Grand Duchy of Tuscany and prime minister of Naples under Ferdinand IV.[1]
He was the son of Edward Acton, a physician at Besançon, and was born there in 1736, succeeding to the title and estates in 1791, on the death of his second cousin once removed, Sir Richard Acton of Aldenham Hall, Shropshire. He served in the navy of Tuscany, and in 1775 commanded a frigate in the joint expedition of Spain and Tuscany against Algiers, in which he displayed such courage and resource that he was promoted to high command.
In 1779 Queen Maria Carolina of Naples persuaded her brother the Grand-Duke Leopold of Tuscany to allow Acton, who had been recommended to her by Prince Caramenico, to undertake the reorganisation of the Neapolitan navy. The ability displayed by him in this led to his rapid advancement. He became commander-in-chief of both the army and the navy of the Kingdom of Naples, minister of finance, and finally prime minister.
His policy was devised in concert with the English ambassador, Sir William Hamilton, and aimed at substituting the influence of Austria and Great Britain for that of Spain at Naples. Such policy consequently involved open opposition to France and the French party in Italy. The financial and administrative measures resulting from a policy which necessitated a great increase of armaments made him intensely unpopular, and in December 1798 he shared the flight of the king and queen.
For the reign of terror which followed the downfall of the Parthenopean Republic, five months later, Acton has been held responsible. In 1804 he was for a short time deprived of the reins of government at the demand of France; but he was speedily restored to his former position, which he held till, in February 1806, on the entry of the French into Naples, he had to flee with the royal family into Sicily. He died at Palermo.
He had married, by papal dispensation (13 January 1799) Mary Anne, the eldest daughter of his brother, General Joseph Edward Acton (1 Oct 1737-12 Jan 1830), who was in the Neapolitan service, and had three children:
Sir Ferdinand Richard Edward Acton (later Dalberg-Acton) (1801-1837)
Cardinal Acton (1803-1847)
Elizabeth Acton (1806-1850) married Sir Robert Throckmorton, 8th Bt and had issue.
The elder son, Sir Ferdinand, being the father of the first Baron Acton.


Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Sir William Marshal

Sir William Marshal,1st Earl of Pembroke.

23rd great-grandfather 

The Marshal, arguably the greatest Knight that ever lived according to Archbishop Stephen Langto, and also living at the time.

In his career William Marshal served five Kings: King Henry II,Young King Henry, King Richard I, King John, King Henry III. 

Game of Thrones fans will recognise the Marshals life achievements with those of the character Sir Barristan Selmy, the commander of the Kings-guard. 

William Marshal was born in the year 1146 Pembroke Shire, Wales; the younger son to Sir John Fitzgilbert Marshal and  Lady Sibilla De Salisbury. Being the youngest and last in line for any inheritance from his fathers wealth, and also of low family station in his fathers eyes, William had little prospect of achieving any notoriety in his life. 

In the year 1153 Williams father Sir John was in command of the garrison defending Newbury Castle against King Stephen.

The King demanded that the Castle be given up to him to which the captain of the defending garrison replied  "No", let me consult with my commander to which the King agreed and gave one day truce for the consultation with the commander John Marshal. The following day after the truce the captain of the defending garrison requested an extension to the truce so as the commander John Marshal may consult with the Empress Matilda

King Stephen granted an extension  but demanded to take a son of the Commander as hostage as surety to the surrender of the Castle. John Marshal gave up his son William to the King as hostage. John fortified the garrison at Newbury Castle further and after the truce expired, he refused to give up the Castle to King Stephen risking the life of his son William. 

On learning of the possible fait of his son, hanging or being catapulted to the Castle wall; John Marshal replied I have the Hammer and I have the Anvil to make more like him. 

King Stephen having seen the innocents and bravery that the young boy showed through-out his ordeal, relented in his plan to do the boy any harm. So the young William Marshal survived his first brush with possible death, he remained hostage for some months after.

As the youngest son of John Marshal William had no or very little claim to inheritance from his father and was destined to make his own way in life from the very beginning. At the age of twelve when his fathers career was winding down. William was sent to Normandy to be brought up by his mothers cousin William De Tancarville were he received paratactical lessons and training in chivalry as a knight.

Young William was showing good aptitude in all his studies and gathering number of enemies in the Court of Tancarville.

In the year 1166 he was engaged in his first battle in Upper Normandy with mixed Reviews as to his success, he was nighted during this his first campaign.

At the age of twenty-one in the year 1167 he was sponsored by William De Tancarville in his first Tournament, here he found his calling and began his training that put him on the road towards becoming the Tournament champion.

In the year 1168 William Marshal served in the household of his maternal uncle Patrick Earl of Salisbury. The same year William was a part of an escort to Queen Eleanor moving near the border of her Provence of Aquitaine. The party was ambushed by Guy De Lusignan, Queen Eleanor escaped the ambush her brother Patrick Earl of Salisbury was killed during the melee and William was taken for ransom with a wound to his thigh. While in custody William was delivered fresh clean dressings for his wound concealed in a loaf of bread. A kind act that may have prevented infection taking hold due to his wound. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine met his ransom, and William remains in Eleanors household for a further two years, building on his reputation as a chivalrous Knight during this time.

William was appointed tutor in arms to the son of Eleanor and King Henry II Plantagenet, Henry the young King in the year 1170. 

William and Henry the young King gained approval to travel Europe taking part in tournaments up against other nights and soon the young King was gaining prestige for himself from winning his tournaments, under the guide of the Marshal, 1176 -1182. Tournaments were dangerous gatherings of Knights where mock battles took place between teems and single Knight to Knight contest. It is said that William Marshal on his death bed recalled that he had personally defeated five hundred Knights in his tournament career.   


Depiction of Mounted Battle the the Tournament

In the year 1182 William was accused of having an affair with Margaret of France and wife to the Young King Henry. An allegation that he was cleared of by 1183. During the investigation William was removed from the Young Kings service, and returned to his service by May 1183.

January 1183 the Young King Henry declared war on his brother Richard the Lionheart, their father Henry II sided with Richard.
The Young King became ill in May 1183 and died on 11th June 1183.
On his death bed the Young King asked William to go on crusade on his behalf, to fulfil the promise that the Young King had made in 1182. After receiving the blessing of Henry II to take up his sons dying wish he left for Jerusalem in the Holy Lands late in the year 1183. There are no records of Williams crusade in the Holy Lands, we know he fulfilled the vow of the Young King; he was away for two years and had returned in 1185 -1186. On Williams own death bed we know he was committed into the order of the Knights Templar.   


Depiction of a Knights Templar

On his return William takes up the position of Captain in the court of King Henry II, he is given a large royal estate of Cartmel. 
William continues to serve with un questionable loyalty to the Kings, and in sorting out many of their differences he is trusted in having their backs when needed. 

In the year 1188 Henry II summoned William to join him in putting down an attempt by Phillip II to seize the region of Berry, in the letter to William he mentions Williams complaining of little reward for his service to the King, with a little sarcasm. He also then offers William the marriage of Dionisia Lay of Chateauruox, Berry. During this campaign Henry II has a falling out with his son Richard I and Richard sides with Philip II against his father. At this point I could understand William Marshal thinking of banging all their heads together, William didn't take Lay Dionisia as his bride.

Henry's final Campaign 

In the year 1189 William was escorting an extremely ill Henry II, in a litter from Le Mans to Chinon, after a truce conference. The conference collapsed and Phillip II and Richard I staged a surprise attack against Henry, in his failing condition. William Marshal unhorsed Richard I in the melee, the life of Richard was at the end of Williams sward tip and at this moment his life was spared by the only Knight to bring him down. To add to the point William dispatched the mount of Richard in his place. Henry II made his escape wile his sons life was in the hands of William Marshal. Henry died 6th July 1189 of the complications of a bleeding ulcer. 

After the death of King Henry II, William was welcomed into the court of the new King Richard I (The Lionheart) regardless of their past conflicts William and Richard are now besties. And William will now have Richards back.

In the days prior to the death of King Henry II, he had promised the hand and estates of Isabel De Clare to William, but unfortunately had not completed the arrangements. All was not lost because the new King Richard was most happy to honour the arrangement of marriage of William Marshal and Isabel De Clare and the marriage took place August 1189 in London. Though his marriages to Isabel, William Marshal has now arrived financially and in higher status from military captain and Knight; he is now one of the most wealthy men in England. Isabel brings with her large estates in England, Ireland, Normandy and Wales however Pembroke was not included as one of the estates in the marriage; William is now Lord Marshal of England.

King Richard I departed England in 1190 for the Holy Lands and his third Crusade, William was appointed in the council of regency before Richards departure. William was on the side of Richards brother John when he expelled Justiciar William Longchamp from the Kingdom and his duties. William soon discovered that Johns motives didn't correlate to those of the King and he declared War on John along with loyalist to the King 1193. 

In the year 1194 Williams older brother John Marshal was killed while defending Marlborough for John, William was granted his brothers title Earl Marshal and his paternal honour Hamstead Marshal by King Richard on his return to England. William accompanied Richard in his wars against King Philip of France  in the land of Normandy after his return to England, conflict between Richard and Philip had been on going from  the time that Richard broke his betrothal with Philips sister in the year 1191 and the conflict remained on simmer until King Richards death 6 April 1199. Conflicts over laying Conflicts seems to be the ongoing theme of these times.  

King Richard I (The Lionheart) has died and William Marshal is now in support of Richards brother John, being the next King of England. Others in court are supporting Arthur of Brittany the son of John's brother Geoffrey II Duke of Brittany, John was crowned King John of England 27 May 1199.

William Marshal was still involved in the Defence of Normandy against the House of France, (Philip of France) from 1200 to1203.

William and King John abandoned the Duchy in 1203 and had a consequent falling out over the mater, in days that followed. In 1204 William returned with the Earl of Leicester as ambassadors to negotiate a truce with King Philip. William was given special considerations by King John to also pay homage too Philip over his land holdings in Normandy. William should have seen that when dealing with Kings that things can turn sour at the drop of a hat.

When William paid homage too Philip, John spat the dummy and took offence and a row broke out in his court. By1207 the air between William and King John was hostile and John was turning against Irish Barons including William Marshal. During the conflict between King John and the Barons 1207 - 1215 William remained loyal to the King, even after having his own lands in Ireland invaded by Meilyr Fiz Henry on be half of King John, the attack was seen off by Countess Isabel Marshal after considerable property damage.

The Baron's (this time is known as the Barons war) joined united in their quest to get King John to sign a document of agreement, that document being the Magna Carta, singed 15 June 1215 at Runnymede.

Magna Carta Island, Runnymede

19 October 1216 at the age of forty-nine King John died, on his death bed he entrusts in William Marshal to see his nine year old son Henry is crowned King of England. Despite their past on and off relationship King John had total faith in the Marshals total loyalty to the Crown. The Marshal took responsibility for the funeral and burial of the King at Worcester Cathedral. The barons of the Kings council, loyal to King John appointed William to serve as Protector of the nine year old King Henry III, and regent of the kingdom.

William Marshal 1st Earl of Pembroke died 11 March 1220, at his estate, Caversham Manor, Berkshire.

William Marshal Temple Church 


Issue of William and Isabel:

1. William Marshal 1190 - 6 April 1231

2. Richard Marshal 1191 - 1 April 1234

3. Maud Marshal 1192 - 27 March 1248

4. Gilbert Marshal 1194 - 27 June 1241

5. Walter Marshal 1196 -24 November 1245

6. Anselm Marshal 198 - 22 December 1245

7. Isabel Marshal 9 October 1200 - 17 January 1240

8. Sibyl Marshal 1201 - before 1238 

9. Joan Marshal 1202 - 1234

10. Eva Marshal 1203 - 1246



Recommend reading:
The History of William Marshal, by Nigel Bryant.

Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Magna Carta

The 25 Barons, Magna Carta.

King John signing the Magna Carta at Runnymede on June 15, 1215. It is historical fact that there were 25 Barons who were commissioned to form the Committee of Barons. Signatories to the Magna Carta and charged with seeing that King John did not renege on his promise to comply with the terms of the Magna Carta as set out in clause 61. Off the 25 Barons I have discovered 9 Barons that I can connect too as Ancestors.

The Barons:


Recommended reading:

Magna Carta, by David Starkey. 

King John, by Marc Norris.

Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

Saturday, April 3, 2021

The Bonds of London England

The Bonds of London England 

Watermen on the Thames London


I have had an understanding since my childhood schooling days that the City of London England was at one time the largest city in population, and economic value in the world; and that it was a place brimming of historical value that reaches back to the distant past, as does the whole of the United Kingdom.

In fact, from here on, I have found myself in as much a general historical journey, as a family history journey; mostly at times an enriching blending of both.

To become aware that my ancestors would have been living in London at the time of the Great Fire, through the years of Black Plague, and at the time Jack the Ripper was active in the dark dingy laneways of the city; is provoking in itself.

But then consider London as we know it today, and how our ancestors knew it, and we can revel in the fact that some city icons as they knew them in decades gone are still here for us to visit today as they may have done decades ago. 

The Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, and of course the River Thames, served an enormous part in people's lives down through the centuries. In the year 2000. I was visiting in London before I had commenced my family history research with any real effort, and I knew little at the time of my family ancestors as I now do. 

I can share that one day when walking along the River Thames, from the Tower Bridge to the London Eye and the London Aquarium, and returned; a considerable distance.

I found myself in silent contemplation of the possibility that I was maybe walking in the footsteps of an Ancestor or two, and that thought gave me tremendous warmth and comfort as I strolled along. 

A visit to Westminster Abbey proved to be an interesting experience; viewing the resting places of all those Royal and Noble people from history. I had the pleasure of having the Westminster Boys Choir rehearsing as I moved around the Abbey. Blissfully at the time, I was unaware that my Great Grandfather William Henry Wise was, in fact, a Choir member as a boy and that his voice had also echoed through Westminster many years before if I had known at the time; could I have pulled myself away from those sweet sounds of rehearsal?

 

Execution Dock in Wapping on the banks of the Thames was the place of the execution of pirate Captain William Kidd on 23rd May 1701. Execution Dock's last victims were executed for murder and mutiny in 1830. The Bond’s and extended Families have a long Ancestral history going back beyond 1830-1700 in this area and London as a whole, working as Clerks, Merchants, Watermen and Lightermen, Lord Mayors of London, and a Wharfinger on the river.

I mention this to draw light on the fact that the ancestors may have taken an interest in the proceedings, going on at Execution Dock.

I haven't known about this place pre-commencing my research, it’s on my list of places to go to when I’m next in London.

A gruesome part of history that our past families may have witnessed.  


Furthermore, those Royal and Noble resting places I viewed that day, are another story that will be revealed as we continue.

My Paternal Bond family's ancestral heritage is English/Norman/Viking and my Maternal ancestral heritage was Scottish/Irish, I have known more about my mother's Maternal family line than my father's Paternal Bond family. My principal intentions have been from the first instance of beginning my journey; to discover more of my Bond family Paternal line and the thought of having the task of finding my English ancestry past my grandfather Harry made my head spin, I can admit this here and now.

I was having some exciting success, finding record information for my paternal grandmother Kate’s, Wise family but nothing of significance for my Bond family line.  

To go forward I needed to go back and find something that gave me a hint as to Harry Bond’s parents, I had the Vivian name and nothing more. With my thinking cap on for a week or so, I finally remembered a document that my mother had given me. I went hunting through the filing cabinet and I finally rediscovered the document that was handed to me, years before. 

It was Harry and Kate’s marriage record, and I was now this time, looking at it and taking in the full facts that were there for me to see. The fact is, I was searching for the names of Harry’s parents, and there it was for the first time. I was now taking in the fact that his father's name was James Robert Bond, and he was Deceased at the time of Harry and Kate’s marriage in 1894.

If we are using the Ancestry platform for our family tree building this is where it comes in as a fantastic tree building tool, simply enter what we know of our ancestral line and the shaky leaves start popping up; giving us helpful information for our approval. Moving on in the weeks–Months that followed I discovered more about James, and his family.

James Robert Bond was born on 4th March 1831 in Bermondsey Surrey, Middlesex, England, and his death was on 3rd Dec 1884 in Middlesex, England. He was the son of William Robert Bond and Elizabeth Pepper. His Baptism took place 27th Mar 1831 Saint Mary, Rotherhithe Middlesex. 

James and Annie’s Marriage was 31st Dec 1853,  At St Mary, Newington, Southwark, England. Annie Maria Vivian is the Daughter of David Vivian 1794 – 1844 and Jane Troke 1796 – 1871.





Children of James Robert and Annie Maria Bond 


1. Charles Bond, 26 OCT 1852 • Willesden, Middlesex, England.


2. James Vivian Bond, b 21 MAY 1855 • Bermondsey Surrey England, d FEB 1934 • San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States. 


3. Vivian William Bond, b 6 APRIL 1858 • Westminster, Middlesex, England, d OCTOBER 1860 • Kensington, London.


4. Robert Vivian Bond, b 1862 • London, Middlesex, England, d 1934 • San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, m Clara Kate Traice 1867-1934.

1.. Violet Vivian Bond, b 1st May 1887,  • San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA, d 24th Jan 1956, • Bexar, Texas USA, m Charles Cleaver Smith 1885-1978.

2.. Mary (may) Vivian Bond, b 22nd APL 1889 • Bexar, Texas USA,  d 26th Jun 1966,  • San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA, m Harvey Moses 1893-1932.

3.. Katie Vivian Bond, b APL 1891 • Bexar, Texas USA, d 18th Sep 1930, m Edward Christian Hucker 1887-1972.

4.. Lilian Bond, b Jul 1893 • Bexar, Texas USA, d– m Hampton.

5.. Agnes Rose Bond, b 1900 • Bexar, Texas USA, d 1905 • Bexar, Texas USA.


5. Harry Bond, b  06/APRIL/1864 • Kilburn, London England, d 16/09/1950 • Bunbury,  Western Australia, m Kate Elizabeth Wise 1847-1966. 

1.. Lilian Bertha Bond, b Nov 1894  • PERTH, Western Australia, d 2nd Dec 1985  • Bentley, Perth Western Australia, m Arthur Fitzgerald Chapman 1893-1960.

2.. Robert Vivian Bond, b 28/4/1896 • Smith Lake, Perth Western Australia, d 27-4-1968 • Salters Point Perth Western Australia, m Eva May Cordelia Pitt 1894-1991.

3.. Frank Bond, b 1897 • BUNBURY, Western Australia, d 15-1-1899 • Bunbury Western Australia.

4.. Violet Bond, b  1900 • BUNBURY, Western Australia, d 21-3-1993 • Australind, Western Australia, m Spencer Albert Tate 1899-1987.

5.. Lena Rose Bond, b 1902 • BUNBURY, Western Australia, d–, m James John Pitts 1899-1932.

6.. Leonard Cyril Bond, b 8-5-1904 • Balingup, Western Australia, d 20 DEC 1983 • Perth, Western Australia, m Margaret Smith Lavery 1913-2006


6. Frederick Bond, b 1866 • Kilburn Park, Middlesex, England, d 13 MAY 1915, m Alice Northover 1868 -.

1.. Vivian Frederick James Bond, b 24th JUN 1890 • Kensington, London, England, d 1985-11-26 • Newbury Park, Ventura, California, USA m Susie May Moss 1897-1991.

2.. Ivy Alice Rose Bond, b ABT 1893 • Kensington, London, England, d-.

3.. Mirabell Bond, b ABT 1898 • Enfield, Middlesex, England,

d-,

4.. Cicely Bond, b ABT 1900 • London England, d-. 

5 Cecil Bond, b ABT 1909 • London England, d-.

6.. Winnifred May Bond, b DEC 1910, d 1911 • London England.


7. Rose Vivian Bond, b 1868 • Kilburn, Middlesex, England, d JAN 1932 • Braintree, Essex, England, m Edgar Arthur Huggins 1864 -1944.

1.. Charles Bond Huggins, b 1895 • Weston, England, d MAY 1984.

2.. Cecil Edgar Huggins, b 1898 • Enfield, Middlesex, England, d  27 NOV 1964 • Braintree, Essex, England.


8. Lilian Bond, b  1871 • London, Middlesex, England.


 

There is an 1881 English Census record (as previously mentioned) that I found at Ancestry that has my Grandfather Harry, his father James R. as Head, his mother Annie M and his siblings all correctly listed and living at 135 Iverson Rd Hampstead, Kilburn London. 


135 Iverson Rd Hampstead, Kilburn London. 



Harry’s age is 17 years and his occupation is Carpenter, I was a little surprised that he was working as a Carpenter so early in his life, but then I was more taken up with the actual confirmation that he indeed had carpentry skills as his first calling, after finding gardening and baking in his Western Australian census and army records.

The same census record tells me that Jame Robert Bond was a Corn Dealer and Robert Vivian Bond was employed as a Corn Dealers Assistant working for his father probably. 

But now I find myself asking why didn’t Harry take up employment in the Corn Dealer trade? Of all the occupations I have found in the family, there has only been one Carpenter, Harry Bond.


James's occupation is well documented as Corn Dealer/Merchant in various records, and I have been able to ascertain that he owned a warehouse in London, and he employed four men according to details found in one census record that I discovered. Corn merchants imported stored and distributed not only corn but also wheat, oats, and barley. They stored the grains in their warehouses before delivery to customers. Back-breaking work for the men he employed as they would have the task of lugging heavy sacks of corn/grain into and out of storage each day. We can discover the roles of our ancestor's occupations through Old English Census Occupations lists, they are readily available by internet search.


By this point in my researching experience, I have discovered that records of confirmation of correctness, come in many forms; and this Probate record that I found is such a record.

 

Probate records can be an invaluable sauce of information; correct names, correct dates, correct addresses, and the value of an Estate can be found documented in such records, and we should all look forward to the discovery of Probate so as to add to our ancestor's verification. But most importantly to add and give evidence to the accuracy of our research.  


BOND James Robert.

Personal Estate £718 10s. 7d.

2 February. The will of James Robert Bond formerly of 4 Pickering - terrace  Paddington but late of 14 the Promenade in the parish of Acton both in the County of Middlesex who died 3 December 1884 at 14 the Promenade was proved at the Principal Registry by Annie Maria Bond of 34 Gascony-avenue in the Parish of St. John Hampstead in the said County Widow the Relic the sole Executrix.


Newspaper Notice, Kilburn Times 13th February 1885, James Robert Bond, Deceased. 

Pursuant to the Statute 22nd and 23rd Victoria Chapter 35.

Notice Is Hereby Given that all Creditors having any Claim or Demands upon or against the estate of James Robert Bond, formerly of No.4 Pickering- terrace Paddington, but late of No. 14 The Promenade in the parish of Acton, and No. 203 High road, Kilburn, all in the County of  Middlesex (Died on the 3rd day of December 1884 and whose will was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of Her Majesty’s High Court of justice, on the 2nd day of February 1885, by Annie Maria Bond, the executive therein named), are hereby requested to send in particulars of their claims and demands to me, the undersigned, on or before 25th day of March next, after which date the said Annie Maria Bond will proceed to distribute the assets of the deceased, having regard only to the claims and demands of which she shall then have had notice.  

Dated this Tenth Day of February 1885.

John W. Tilley. 

203 High, Road, Kilburn, London, N.W. 

Solicitor to the said Executive. 


So we see in a Probate record we may find additional information that may not be found in a census record.


A Baptism record should give us good news at the beginning of life but in the case of, 

3. Vivian William Bond, b 6 APRIL 1858 • Westminster, Middlesex, England, d OCTOBER 1860 • Kensington, London.

His baptism record tells us a sad story, he is baptized in the parish of St Stephens Paddington Middlesex on the 9th November 1860, Reg No 599. Privately Baptised.

It becomes apparent that Vivian William was baptized after his passing at the age of 2 years, in a private service, the family address is Pickering Terrace and his father (James Robert Bond) profession is Corn Merchant. 

Some insight discovered in this brief Baptism record gives me more information to add to my understandings of my ancestor's lives. In our family research, we can often discover such confronting facts and circumstances, we need to document these findings as a part of our family history accurately. 

For me, this record brings my Great Grandparents closer as I contemplate their feelings and emotions as they attended this private baptism of their son Vivian William Bond.


I look forward to my next visit to London armed with the new knowledge of my great grandparents James Robert and Annie Maria Bond and their family.





Signature 




William Robert Bond, father to James Robert Bond was born 22nd Jan 1801 St Paul, Deptford, Kent, England. He was the son of William Bond 1763-1841 and Sarah Acton 1766-1841. William Roberts Baptism took place on 8th Nov 1801, St. Mary’s,​ Portsea,​ Hampshire,​ England. Williams death Mar 1876 Surrey, London England. His marriage to Elizabeth Pepper 1803-1888, 26th May 1825 St Swithins Church, London. The original medieval Swithins was Destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. During the 2nd World War, the new St Swithins was damaged by a bombing raid and the pulpit was salvaged from the rubble and now takes pride in place at All Hollows by the Tower, London. 


Marriage of William Robert Bond and Elizabeth Pepper 


Children and Grandchildren of William Robert and Elizabeth Bond.


1. William Thomas Bond, b  29th AUG 1827 • Rotherhithe, London, England. d 6th JUL 1883 • Oberon House Bexley Heath Kent, England. m Jane Ellen Cole 1829-1913. 

1.. William Groves Bond, 1849-1917.

2.. Elizabeth Sarah Ann Bond, 1854-1943.

3.. Marian Caroline Bond, 1858-1897.

4.. Rosa Jane Bond, 1860-1942.         

5.. Arthur Charles Bond, 1862-1931.

6.. Alice Adelaide Bond, 1863-1953.

7.. Edward James Bond, 1865-1903.

8.. Caroline Annie Bond, 1876-.

9.. Jessy Minnie Bond, 1868-1970.

10.. George William Thomas Bond, 1871-1959.


2. John George Bond, b ABT 1829 • Bermondsey, Surrey, England. d 1932. m May Anne Cooper 1832-.

1.. Sarah E Bond, 155-.

2.. George Cooper Bond, 1858-1863.

3.. William Bond 1872-.


3. James Robert Bond, b 4th MAR 1831 • Bermondsey Surrey, Middlesex, England. d 3 DEC 1884 • Middlesex, England. m Annie Maria Vivian 1834-1911. 

1.. Charles Bond, 1852-.

2.. James Vivian Bond, 1855-1934.

3.. Robert Vivian Bond, 2862-1934

4.. Harry Bond, 1864-1950.

5.. Frederic Bond, 1866-1915.

6.. Rose Vivian Bond, 1868-1932.

7.. Lilian Bond, 171-.


4. George Bond, b  ABT 1833 • Newington, London, England. d JULY 1904 • Lambeth, London. m Sarah Lambert Dannell 1834-1928.

1.. Sarah Susannah Bond, 1858-1922.

2.. George Dannell Bond, 1859-1899.

3.. Florence Elizabeth Bond, 1861-1943.

4.. Clarence Edgar Bond, 1866-1937.

5.. Selina Jane Bond, 1867-1924.

6.. Oswald Herbert Bond, 1869-1937.

7.. Claudia Augusta Bond, 1873-1947.

8.. Hilda Gertrude Bond, 1875-1960.


5. Charles Acton Bond, b 24 FEB 1839 • Bermondsey, Surrey, England, 44 Richmond Rd. d  7 DEC 1913 • Southwark, England. m Sarah Bonnick 1841-1888.

1.. William Joseph Acton Bond, 1861-194.

2.. Annie Acton Bond, 1864-1933.

3.. Clara Acton Bond, 1866-1948.

4.. Charlotte Elizabeth Bond, 1868-.

5.. Charles Herbert Acton Bond, 1869-1924.

6.. Eva Florence Acton Bond, 1872-1955.

7.. Herbert Acton Bond, 1876-1936.

8.. Albert Acton Bond, 1879-1966.


6. Elizabeth Bond, b 4th OCT 1843 • Bermondsey, Surrey, England. d 1928 • Croyden, Surrey, England. m Edward Tate Fitter 1843-1879.

1.. Henry Edward Fitter, 1867-1934.

2.. Elizabeth Sarah Fitter, 1869-.

3.. Alice Bond Fitter, 1871-1948.

4.. William Joseph Fitter, 1873-.

5.. Jessy Bond Fitter, 1875-1967.

6.. Lidia Mary Fitter, 1877-.

7.. Edith Bond Fitter, 1881-1967. 


7. Henry William Bond, b ABT 1847 • Bermondsey, Surrey, England. d MAR 1924 • Camberwell, London, England. m 1st Charlotte Emma Riches, 1848-1898. 

1.. William Henry Bond, 1874-1949.

2.. Grace Riches Bond, 1879-1937.

3.. Horace Riches Bond, 1889-1964.

m 2nd Annie Maul Cheshire, 1861-1921.

1.. Beatrice Blanch Bond, 1902-1982.


Elizabeth Pepper, wife to William Robert Bond and my 3rd Great Grandmother has the distinction of leading me to my 1st Brick Wall. Since my early researching days back in 2009, I haven't been able to confirm her parentage with factual certainty. I have not allowed this to bother me to any extent and I have simply continued on with my Bond family research. Ancestry is suggesting that I have DNA matches associated with Elizabeth Pepper, so DNA may serve to solve this Brick Wall eventually. For now, we move on with my Bond family line.



The Pulpit salvaged from St Swithins

William Robert's occupation is listed as Lightermen in the 1841 census, 1851 his occupation is Watermen and Lightermen along with his son John George Watermen and Lightermen, son James Robert is an apprentice Watermen. 1851 census states that William Robert's occupation is Lightermen/Corn-dealer and he and his wife Elizabeth are living at 50 Parkers Row, Southwark London England with their 17-year-old daughter Elizabeth.






Signature 






The occupations of  Watermen and Lightermen:

Lightermen were workers who transferred goods between ships and quays, aboard flat-bottomed barges called lighters, as cargo is removed from ships they rise higher in the water due to becoming lighter. The Lightermen were one of the most characteristic groups of workers in London’s docks during the heyday of the Port of London, but their trade was eventually rendered largely obsolete by changes in shipping technology. They were closely associated with the Watermen, who carried passengers, and in 1700 joined the Company of Watermen to form The Company of Watermen and Lightermen, an amalgamation of two trades. Throughout London’s history, the Thames has been the highway that enabled its citizens to travel easily from place to place along the river and to carry goods where they were needed. For centuries, Thames Watermen provided a vital service in transporting passengers to their places of work and leisure or simply carrying them across to the other riverbank. London Bridge, first built by the Romans, was the only bridge spanning the Thames in London until Westminster Bridge was built in 1750. The Watermen did all they could to ensure that their boats remained the only practical means of getting about. 

 

William Thomas Bond, son to William and Elizabeth held the position of  Master of the Company Lightermen and Waterman in the year 1873, masters-of-the-company.


There are many book titles written about the subject of Watermen and Lightermen and the history of workers on the River Thames. Titles can be resourced at the Guildhall Library and London Library.





The Watermen and Lightermen in the family: 

JAMES ROBERT BOND,

John White,

Henry James White,

John Acton White,

WILLIAM ROBERT BOND, 

John George Bond, 

William Thomas Bond, 

George Bond, 

Edward John Horstead, 

Henry Thomas Trumble, 

George Thurston Trumble, 

George Dannell Bond, 

Clarence Edgar Bond, 

Oswald Herbert Bond, 

William Thomas Mackridge,

Samuel Bond, 

Steers James Bond

Richard James Bond 

JOHN ACTON, 

John Cook Acton.


Guildhall Parlour Room

The earliest record of employment I have found for William Thomas Bond is an Indenture, Apprenticeship record 7th Oct 1840, he is 13 years of age, and he is Apprentice to George H Carter, Citizen and Gold Smith of London to learn his art of an Ironmonger. There is no further record of him actually working in this trade.

In an 1861 census, William Thomas, his wife Jane Ellen, and 3 of their children William Groves, Rosa Jane, and Marian Caroline Bond are living at No3 Savage Garden London City. William's occupation is now listed as Wharfinger employing 10 men. This occupation carries through to 1869.

A Warfinger is an old term for a person who owned or was the keeper of a Wharf (dock). The Wharfinger took custody of and was responsible for goods delivered to the wharf, typically they had an office on the wharf or dock, and were responsible for the day-to-day activities including slipways, keeping tide tables, and resolving disputes. I871 Census at the age of 44 years William is a Granary/Corn keeper employing 12 men, he and Jane Ellen are living at Oberon House. I now have the task of deciding, is he flitting between occupations, or is he actually in control of the wharf where the grain is arriving and then storing it before distribution?  Tracing our family history is as much about fitting a puzzle together most of the time.




Silhouette of William Thomas Bond 1905

Bond William Thomas.
Personal Estate £876. 14s. 1d.
11 August.   Administration (with the Will) of the Personal Estate of  William Thomas Bond formerly of  Oberon House Bexley Heath in the County of Kent but late of  134 Abbey-street Bermondsey in the County of Surry Lightermen and Granary Keeper who died 6th July 1883 at 134 Abbey-street was granted at the Principal Registry to Jane Ellen Bond of  134 Abbey-street Widow the Relic the Residuary Legatee for Life. 


134 Abbey-street

25th November 1868
This is the last Will and Testament of me William Thomas Bond of Obesin Home Benley Heath Kent. After payment of all my just debts, funeral, and Testamentary expenses, I give device and bequeath unto my dear wife Jane Ellen, all my Freehold Property and all my other real and personal estates of whatever kind ---, for her sole use, during her life, and at her death to be divided among all our children born to us during our Lifetime in the way she thinks best.

Signed and acknowledged by the said William Thomas Bond the testator, as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us being present at the same time, who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have herewith subscribed our names as Witnesses. 

W.T. Bond, W.G. Downing, George Bond.


Jane Ellen Bond/Cole
Bond Jane Ellen of 61 East Dulwich-road Surry Widow died 2nd December 1917 Administration London 20th July to Arthur Charles Bond salesmen. Effects £5.






Charles Acton Bond is the 5th child of  William Robert and Elizabeth Bond and brother to William Thomas and my 1st great grandfather James Robert Bond. Though Charles is not the 1st Bond to be given the Acton name, in fact, the 2nd. His children and his descendants have permanently taken up the Acton Bond name. This Bond family line is more than needy of its own dedicated chapter, I will commence writing in the near future. 

It is indeed my opinion that this is, if not the 1st point, it is the 2nd point of the adoption of the Acton Bond name.


 Signature



1881 Charles and his wife Sarah are living with their children at 67 The Grove Hammersmith London, Charles is a Corn Merchant employing 10 men. His 1st son William Joseph Acton Bond is working as a Corn Merchant's Clerk. 


Charles Acton Bond and family 1881


William Joseph moves on to a very successful acting career in London by the year 1891, as do many other members of this family line. In the year 1925 he adopted the Acton name by Deed pole becoming William Joseph Acton Bond.





Birth record William Joseph Acton Bond,
privet family sauce.






Bond Charles Acton of 71 The Grove Hammersmith Middlesex died 7th December 1913 Probate London 19 February to Charlotte Maudsley Bond widow.

Effects  £293 6s. 5d. 


71 The Grove.


Their 5th child and son to Charles Acton and  Sarah Bond, move to Canada, and he achieves notoriety working as an Architect, he has many buildings attributed to his design skills. 

7th child and son Herbert Acton Bond continues in the trade of Corn Dealer Merchant in London and his son Stanley Bertram Bond does not carry on the Acton name.

8th son Albert Acton Bond is a Photo Engraver in London, and he and wife Marguerite Minett have a son Guy Acton Bond who in turn has 3 sons who carry on the Acton Bond name by way of sons Barry James Acton Bond, Robin David Acton Bond and Timothy Guy Acton Bond. There is a good number of Acton Bonds descended from Charles Acton Bond the 5th child of  William- Robert and Elizabeth Bond, but let’s now move on to William Bond and his wife Sarah Acton.

William Bond was born 23rd Aug 1763 Whitechapel, Middlesex, England. He was the son of John Bond 1728-1789 and Sarah Cowley 1739-1819. His death is recorded as, Jan 1841 Bermondsey, London. Williams baptism took place 12th May 1765 St Mary, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England. Marriage to Sarah Acton 1766-1841, 2nd May 1786 Deptford St Paul Lewisham London. 

St Mary, Whitechapel also known as St Mary, Matfelon and place of William Bonds Baptism was mostly destroyed during an enemy fire raid on the 29th Dec 1940. The site of the church became St Mays Garden and is now known as Altab Ali Park, the foundation footprint of the church is all that remains.



Footprint, St Mary Altab Ali Park



No 177 Regifter, B.

These are to certify, That William Bond  and Son - of John Bond – Sarah his Wife, who was Daughter of John Cowley – was Born in Crutched Friars – in the Parifth of St Olave Hart street in the County of Middlesex this Twenty Third Day of August - in the Year of our Lord 1763  at whof birth we were prefent. (sic) 

Sarah Lindegren   

Eliz Jones

Regiftred at Dr. William’s Library, in Redcrofs  – Street, near Cripplegate, London.   


William Bond and Sarah Acton

St Paul Deptford Lewisham London, marriage place of William Bond and Sarah Acton is most certainly number one on my list of places to visit and take full advantage of a sit down and contemplation of William and Sarah Bond and their wedding day, when I’m next in London. I will be keeping an eye out for the unique cylindrical bell tower as I approach the church. 



St Paul Deptford

William Bond Bachelor and Sarah Acton Spinster 

Both of this Parish were Married in this Church by Banns

This second Day of May 1706.

By me Peter Lievre Quate

This Marriage was

Solemnised between us } Wlm Bond, Sarah Acton

In the Presence of } Thomas Jones, Jn Harley


As stated previously I believe the marriage of William and Sarah to be the beginning of the Acton Bond name we know today, or a good number of Acton Bonds can attribute their names to their Ancestral relationship to William and Sarah.






Children of William and Sarah Acton /Bond

1. John Acton Bond, b 20th APR 1787 • St Paul, Deptford, Kent, England. d JUL 1870 • England. m 26th Nov 1810. Phoebe Harris 1785 -. No issue, record.


2. Sarah Jane Bond, b 1792 • Rotherhithe, Surrey, England. d 13 AUG 1854 • Southwark, Surrey, England. m 21st Aug 1814, John White 1784 -1862.

1.. William White 1817 -.

2.. Sarah Elizabeth White 1817 -.

3.. Harriet Louisa White 1818 -1914.

4.. Mary Jane White 1824 -1888.

5.. William Robert White 1827 -.

6.. John Acton White 1829 -1879,

7.. Henry James White 1832-1876.

8.. Thomas Caffon White 1835-1884.


3. Louisa Charlotte Bond, b ABT 1799 • Portsea, Hampshire, England. d ABT 1873 • London, United Kingdom. m 7th Jun 1818, Henry Thomas Trumble 1784 -1847.

1.. Mary Ann Trumble 1811 -.

2.. Nancy Eliza Trumble 1814 -.

3.. Henry William Trumble 1819 -1830.

4.. Sarah Louisa Trumble 1821-1859.

5.. John Thomas Trumble 1824 -1874.

6.. Thomas William Trumble 1827-1896.

7.. William Henry Trumble 1829 -1829.

8.. William Acton Trumble 1831-1921.

9.. Henry Alfred Trumble 1833 -1861.

10.. James Isaac Trumble 1835 -1865.

11.. Charles George Trumble 1838 -1914.

12.. George Thurston Trumble 1841 -1911.

Second Marriage 2nd Aug 1852, William James West 1802-1872.


4. William Robert Bond, b 22 JAN 1801 • St Paul, Deptford, Kent, England. d MAR 1876 • London, Surrey, United Kingdom. m 26th May 1825, Elizabeth Pepper 1803-1888.

1.. William Thomas Bond 1827-1883.

2.. John George Bond 1829-1932.

3.. James Robert Bond 1831 -1884.

4.. George Bond 1833 -1904.

5.. Charles Acton Bond 1839 -1913.

6.. Elizabeth Bond 1843 -1928.

7.. Henry William Bond 1847 -1924.


5. Elizabeth Mary Bond, b ABT 1803 • Deptford, London, England. d OCT 1875 • London, United Kingdom. m 14th Mar 1830, William Skewer 1802 -1846.

1.. Sarah Elizabeth Skewer 1835 -1837.

2.. Harriet Louisa Skewer 1837 -1919.  


Sarah Acton's Family line is in itself a huge complex line of common people and Baronet's and one of the pinnacle achievers in this family line, that I admire for his work's would have to be Lord Acton (John Dalberg - Acton), my 6th Cousin 3x removed.


Lord Acton



Sarah Acton my 3rd Great Grandmother, and daughter to John Acton 1774 - 1883 and Sarah Ann Badcock 1745 - 1782, brings this line to the Bond family line.




9th Great Grandfather,Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet.
Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet (20 July 1600 - c. June 1659) was the son of Walter Acton, Sheriff of Shropshire. He was created 1st Baronet Acton, of Aldenham, Aldenham Hall, in Morville, Shropshire England on 17 January 1643/44.
Sir Edward was a Royalist during the English Civil War and fought at the Battle of Edgehill and the Siege of Bridgnorth. At the Battle of Worcester he was wounded in the thigh.
Sir Edward was MP for Bridgnorth during the Long and Short Parliaments and also sat in King Charles I's Parliament at Oxford.
He married Sarah Mytton, and they had the following children:
Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (1621-1665)
Edward Acton (1623-1654)
Thomas Acton (1623-1677)
Frances Acton (1625-1626)
William Acton (c. 1627-1659)
Robert Acton (1628-1654)
Richard Acton (1630-1674)
8th GreatGrandfather.
Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet (1621 – 1665) was the son of Sir Edward Acton, 1st Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetage upon the death of his father. Sir Walter was elected MP for Bridgnorth at the Convention Parliament of 1660.
He married Catherine Cresset, and they had the following children:
Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet (1649-1716)
Walter Acton (1651-11 Mar 1718)
Richard Acton (b. c. 1652-Mar 1705)
Thomas Acton
William Acton
Robert Acton (b. 1655)
Francis Acton (1657-24 Aug 1733)
Catherine Acton
Elizabeth Acton
Sarah Acton
7th Great Grand Uncle.
Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet(c. 1650 - 28 September 1716) was the son of Sir Walter Acton, 2nd Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetage upon the death of his father. He was Tory Member of Parliament for Bridgnorth from 1689 until 1705, and was a barrister, being a member of the Inner Temple.
He married Mary Walter, and they had the following children:
Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Bt. (1678 - January 1732)
Mary Acton (born 1678)
Edward Acton (1681-1741)
John Acton (born bef. 1716)
Sarah Acton
Elizabeth Acton
Frances Acton (died 29 October 1718)
Catherine Acton
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1684 to 1685. He held the office of Recorder of Bridgnorth in 1701.
1st Cousin 8x Removed.
Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Baronet (c. 1677 - 17 January 1731/32) was the son of Sir Edward Acton, 3rd Baronet, he succeeded to the baronetcy upon the death of his father.
He married Lady Elizabeth Gibbon, and they had the following children:
Sir Richard Acton, 5th Baronet (1 January 1712-20 November 1791)
Elizabeth Acton (b. bef 1730)
Jane Acton (b. bef 1732)
Mary Acton (b. bef 1732)
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1727 to 1728.
2nd Cousin7x removed
Sir Richard Acton, 5th Baronet (1 January 1712 - 20 November 1791) was an English baronet. The son of Sir Whitmore Acton, 4th Bt., he succeeded to the baronetcy upon the death of his father.
He married Lady Anne Grey, Daughter of Henry Grey, 3rd Earl of Stamford on 21 September 1744, and they had the following children:
Elizabeth Acton (b. 1746)
Frances Acton (1749-1762)
He held the office of High Sheriff of Shropshire from 1751 to 1752.
As he had no surviving male issue, the title went to his distant cousin, Sir John Acton.
Sir John Francis Edward Acton, 6th Baronet (3 June 1736 – 12 August 1811) was commander of the naval forces of Grand Duchy of Tuscany and prime minister of Naples under Ferdinand IV.

Sir John Francis Edward Acton, 6th Baronet.


He was the son of Edward Acton, a physician at Besançon, and was born there in 1736, succeeding to the title and estates in 1791, on the death of his second cousin once removed, Sir Richard Acton of Aldenham Hall, Shropshire. He served in the navy of Tuscany, and in 1775 commanded a frigate in the joint expedition of Spain and Tuscany against Algiers, in which he displayed such courage and resource that he was promoted to high command.
In 1779 Queen Maria Carolina of Naples persuaded her brother the Grand-Duke Leopold of Tuscany to allow Acton, who had been recommended to her by Prince Caramenico, to undertake the reorganisation of the Neapolitan navy. The ability displayed by him in this led to his rapid advancement. He became commander-in-chief of both the army and the navy of the Kingdom of Naples, minister of finance, and finally prime minister.
His policy was devised in concert with the English ambassador, Sir William Hamilton, and aimed at substituting the influence of Austria and Great Britain for that of Spain at Naples. Such policy consequently involved open opposition to France and the French party in Italy. The financial and administrative measures resulting from a policy which necessitated a great increase of armaments made him intensely unpopular, and in December 1798 he shared the flight of the king and queen.
For the reign of terror which followed the downfall of the Parthenopean Republic, five months later, Acton has been held responsible. In 1804 he was for a short time deprived of the reins of government at the demand of France; but he was speedily restored to his former position, which he held till, in February 1806, on the entry of the French into Naples, he had to flee with the royal family into Sicily. He died at Palermo.
He had married, by papal dispensation (13 January 1799) Mary Anne, the eldest daughter of his brother, General Joseph Edward Acton (1 Oct 1737-12 Jan 1830), who was in the Neapolitan service, and had three children:

Marianna Anne Acton


Sir Ferdinand Richard Edward Acton (later Dalberg-Acton) (1801-1837)
Cardinal Acton (1803-1847)
Elizabeth Acton (1806-1850) married Sir Robert Throckmorton, 8th Bt and had issue.
The elder son, Sir Ferdinand, being the father of the first Baron Acton.


Recommended reading:

London, a Fourteenth - Century City and its People, by Kathrine Warner.

Secret London, by Andrew Duncan.

Londons Docklands, by Rule.

The City on the Thames, by Simon Jenkins.



Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.




Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill

 I distinctly remember way back in my childhood days in the 1950 - 60s being exposed to the name Winston Churchill, in school studies and ne...