George Henry Perry



S. of Ann Hocking Boaz & George Henry Perry

George Henry Perry
Born 18.8.1849 at Limehouse, London, Middlesex, England
Occ. Tank Rivitter (Iron)
Marr. Mary Vivian 21.2.1874 at Limehouse, London
Died 12th February 1948 at Ruskin Av., Manor Park, Bexley, London
Buried at London, Middlesex


Children

Ethel Amelia
George Alfred
Lucy Ann
Henry James Vivian
Rose Estella
Hetty Leonora


NOTE

Mary was born c 1849 at Sturminster, Newton, Dorset & died in 1931. Her father was James Vivian. George died in infancy. George (Snr) may have died at Whipps Cross Hos., Leytonstone, London.

1881 census of 7 Pedworth Road, Rotherhithe, Surrey (sic)
George PERRY Head M Male 30 Limehouse, Middlesex, England Tank Rivitter (Iron) Mary PERRY Wife M Female 31 Newton, Dorset, England Ethel PERRY Daur Female 6 Poplar, Middlesex, England Alfred PERRY Son Male 1 Rotherhithe, Surrey, England Infant PERRY Daur Female 1 w Rotherhithe, Surrey, England

The family was living at 26 Alderton Road (?), Rotherhithe, London (1891) & later at 74 Victoria Av., Upton Park St Stephen, East Ham, Essex (1901).

George Henry Perry was a Tank Riveter (Iron) in Bermondsey. In later life in order to provide an income for their rent and food he would ply his trade as a knife Grinder. He used to push a barrow around and collect peoples cutlery or tools and take them away to sharpen, returning them the next day. He was full of fun . He was refered to by his Grandchildren as Grandad Lighty. This was after a song he used to sing. If no-one was looking he would steal the childrens last strawberry off their plates. Grandad was thought to have struggled to find work in Salt Lake City. He used to walk for miles to find employment. Though Grandma (Mary) suspected him of going to see his old girlfriend. He was Secretary of the Union of Shipwrights. He would walk to the meetings somewhere near the East India Docks and on a Sunday evening he would have a couple of glasses of port. Sometimes this was one or two glasses too many and his daughter Rose would not be amused as she didn't really approve of his drinking too much. He was living with Rose , when he became ill. This was mainly with old age . He was in Whippscross Hospital at Leyton for a couple of years. The Hospital thought that he should go home and eventually Rose found room for him in her home at Ruskin Avenue, Manor Park where he died.

Mary Vivian was a stereotypical Victorian lady. She would dress in long black skirts down to the ground and her blouse would have a very high necked collar with a brooch at the front. She always sat upright and if something was not quite right she would say "fi , fi". It is generally thought she did not become a member of the Latter Day Saints. This is only word of mouth and not supported by any facts. Mary and George appear to be the only members of their family who went to Salt Lake City and returned to England . All other members of their family appear to have stayed and subsequently died out there. It is widely understood that George met an 'old flame' of his in Salt Lake City called Sally (Bean). When Mary heard about this she resolved to save every penny they had and return to England. She had heard a tale that Mormons could have more than one wife. These events may have unfurled between Henry's birth and Rose's birth. As Henry is born in Salt Lake City in 1883 and Rose is born some considerable distance south in Green River, Emery County in 1886. However the L.D.S. may have sent them to Green River with other followers to start create a thriving and successful settlement. Green River was first established as a mailing station in 1878. There is a tale related that either Mary or one of her family was sitting in her room brushing her hair. In the reflection of the Mirror she suddenly saw an Indian . The men were all out hunting and the womenfolk were left to fend for themselves. So she grabbed the gun and shot him. How accurate this story is I couldn't say but in that area it would most likely be a member of the Ute Indian Tribe. When they returned to London at some later date they moved to 2 Sibley Grove, Manor park.They , as in keeping with the times did not own their own home. In old age possibly in the 1920's they lived with a Jewish lady called Mrs Phillips. Her husband ran a store selling every type of product. Mary died in Mrs Phillips rooms. Some time had passed before she was discovered. The Doctor said she had a tumour the size of an orange in her stomach.

Their son George Alfred died approximately at the age of three. It is understood within the family that he died on board Ship on the outward journey to Salt Lake City , Utah. It could also have happened on the rail journey from New York to Salt Lake City. This must have been a devastating tragedy for his mother Mary, about to embark on the biggest adventure of their lives. (Notes provided by Sally Penton)

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