Esther Charlotte Fry [f.3.1.3]

Esther Charlotte Fry was the third child of Anne Fry & William Fry born May 17th, 1852 at Lingfield, Surrey.

Esther's birth certificate

In 1861 Esther was living with her parents & brothers & sisters at Dennetts Rd, Deptford, Greenwich.

In 1871 Esther was a kitchen maid for Julie & Thomas Sampson, a land owner & farmer of 700 acres at Moor Hall, Ninfield, Sussex.

By 1881 Esther had become a housemaid at Sackville College in Church St, East Grinstead. The College which dates from 1609 provides sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

Esther married Thomas Knight in July-September 1882, the marriage being registered at East Grinstead, Sussex. Thomas was christened July 15th, 1838 at Lingfield, Surrey, the son of Jane & John Knight. Thomas had previously been married to Amy Skinner, the daughter of Susannah Skinner. Thomas & Amy had several children before Amy died at the age of 28 in April-June 1874.

In 1891 Esther & Thomas were living at Tilkhurst Farm, East Grinstead & Thomas was a bailiff. The master of Tilkhurst Farm was W. R. Price, ship owner of Manchester, who was also at the farm at the time of the census. Esther & Thomas had 3 children – Thomas (6), Edith (4) & Gilbert (3 months). There was also a general servant.

In 1901 Thomas had become an inn keeper & he & Esther were living at the Gate Inn at Ifield, Horsham, Sussex. Their 3 children were still at home, eldest son Thomas being a groom. Living with them was 46 year old Catherine Fry, Esther’s younger sister, who was a laundry maid. There was also a boarder, George Browning, a farm worker.

Thomas died Oct-December 1910, aged 72, the death being registered at Horsham, Sussex.

In 1911 widowed Esther was living at 2 Waterloo Villas, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham with her son Gilbert who was a farm labourer. There was also a boarder, 45 year old Florence Howle.

Esther died April-June 1914, aged 62, the death being registered at Horsham, Sussex.

The children of Esther Charlotte Fry & Thomas Knight were:

f.3.1.3.1 Thomas Charles Knight born July-September 1884 at East Grinstead, Sussex
f.3.1.3.2 Edith Esther Knight born July-September 1886 at East Grinstead, Sussex
f.3.1.3.3 Gilbert John Knight born Jan-March 1891 at East Grinstead, Sussex