George William Harmer was the oldest son of John, known as Leonard Harmer, who was the first-born son of George Lovell Harmer, John Harmer’s oldest brother. This makes him John’s great-nephew.
George was born on the 25th November 1870, and was baptised at Brighton the following year. Sadly his mother and maternal grandmother died in 1873, leaving John Leonard to raise George and his slightly older sister Lydia alone. At that time they were living at 13 Newark Place, Brighton. Travelling carpenter John Leonard didn’t remarry until 1877, when Fanny Wickens (24) became stepmother to the children and went on to give them eleven half-brothers and sisters, seven of whom survived until adulthood. By 1881 the family were living in John Leonard’s old family home at 43 Albion Street.
We know that George attended a local school, and that by 1891 when he was 21 was working as a general porter and still living at home, along with five of his younger siblings.
Marriage
George married Mary Ann Martha Wood on the 6th August 1892, at Brighton. Mary was born at Brighton on 1st April 1872. In the 1891 census Mary Ann is recorded as living at The Cuthbert Tavern, at 136 Freshfield Road, working as a general domestic servant. Perhaps George frequented this now-closed pub, which is how they met? Mary Ann’s father John was a bricklayer, and she grew up not far from the Harmers at 59 Hanover Terrace, so they may equally have met as neighbours, or through her father’s connections with the building industry.
Domestic Life
We don’t know where the couple lived during the early years of their marriage, but they first appear in the street directories at 39 Washington Street in 1901, implying that they had moved there by 1900. This tiny house in a terraced street built in around 1863, which runs between Southover Street and Islingword Road, would remain their family homestead for the rest of their lives. When the census was taken in April 1901 George was working as a house painter. We learn that four children had come along; Edith (7), George (5), Clara (3) and Dorothy (1).
Also living with them, in her own room, was Mary’s unmarried sister Ellen, aged 24 (b. 6th May 1876 at Chichester). Ellen had had a child out of wedlock on 9th May 1900 whom she named Thomas, and her 10 month old infant was also staying with her at 39 Washington Street. Thomas’s middle name was Baden, which is a clue as to his father’s identity – although the only Baden I can find in Sussex in 1901 was Thomas Baden Powell of Lewes. Perhaps his father was a soldier who had no permanent address in Brighton? By 1915 when Thomas was called up to fight during WWI he was living with his mother at 12 Brighton Place. Ellen, to save her reputation, was by then describing herself as “Mrs. Mary Wood”. When Ellen moved out of 39 Washington Street she seems to have moved around Brighton quite a bit, working for low wages as a charwoman and living in various rooms with her son, and two subsequent offpsring. Ellen continued to use the name Mary Wood as late as 1939, when she appears in the Register for that year, giving her marital status as widowed. She was living with her son Thomas at 9 Mafeking Road, Brighton. Thomas himself passed away on 1st March 1975 at 9 Mafeking Road.
But back to the 1901 census – to round off that year, Annie Poole, a 46 year old single laundress was lodging with the Harmer family at 39 Washington Street, swelling the occupancy to four adults and five children. Whether she was a relative, a family friend or the Harmers’ needed the extra income we don’t yet know.
A great tragedy befell the Harmers in 1907, when George’s father John Leonard was found hung at home. You can find out more about the sad circumstances around his death here. This would understandably have caused huge shockwaves throughout the family.
Fast-forward to 1911, and George and Mary Ann had been blessed with another five children; Albert (8), Percy (6) Annie (4) Violet (2) and Hilda aged 4 months. George was still working as a house painter, and had been eligible to vote since at least 1906, indicating that he owned the house. In all the couple would have 12 children.
Death
George passed away at Brighton in 1955, followed by Mary Ann in 1958. After this the house at 39 Washington Street seems to have passed out of the Harmer family’s hands for the first time since circa. 1900.
Children
(our John Harmer’s great-great nieces and nephews)
Edith Alice Harmer (1893 – 1973)
Edith was born on the 24th August 1893. By 1911, when she was 17, Edith had moved out of home and was working as a kitchenmaid at Mr. Paddison’s drapery emporium at 150-154 Western Road. In 1915 she married Harold A. Neves (b. 12th January 1893 – d.1958, Epping) at Brighton. In the same year she gave birth to their daughter Doris E. Neves. By 1921 they moved to London, with two more children being baptised at St. George Hanover Square; George A. on 12th April 1921 (d. 1992 at Enfield), and Gwendoline M in 1925. Doris married at Chelsea in 1937. By 1939 the family were living at 36 Wray House, Chelsea, and Harold was working as a police constable for the Met. Edith passed away at Waltham Forest, Greater London when she was 80 years old.
George William Harmer (1895 – )
George is a mystery-man so far; the last record of him which I can find is the 1911 census, when he was an unemployed 15 year old. I find no marriage, military, 1939 Register, immigration or death entry for him.
Clara Ellen Harmer (1898 – 1967 )
Clara was born on 13th Dec 1898, and married Alexander Albert Waller (b 29th July 1896 – d. 1970) at Brighton in 1920. By 1939 they were living at 74 Eastern Crescent, Chelmsford, a town where they would spend the rest of their lives.
Dorothy ‘Dolly’ Mabel Everett nee Harmer (1900 – 1987)
Dorothy (known as Dolly) was born on 13th January 1900. In the Autumn of 1919 when she was 19 and a half years of age, 4ft 9″ Dolly fell pregnant with a daughter who was born in June Q 1920. She kept the child, and named her child Freda O. E. Harmer. It would be interesting to know if Dolly was still living at home at this time; if she was this would not be the first time her parents had kept a roof over the head of a young, unmarried mother and her child – and then just as now, these things happen. Dolly had spent her early years sharing their home with her illegitmate cousin Thomas, after all. The Harmers were a very close-knit and supportive family. Dolly would, however, have been all too aware of the sad life which her aunt Ellen experienced subsequent to falling pregnant out of wedlock (which for Ellen ultimately precluded the possibility of marriage), a life which would not have suited Dolly’s natural drive to have a large family and a good homelife.
Dolly married Lionel Jack Everett (known as Jack, b. 16th Feb 1904 – d. 1972) at Brighton in 1922, when she was 22 and he was 18. It would be fascinating to learn how and when they met. Theirs was a union which led to many years of happiness, and pictures of them taken in later life show them to be a very loving and well-suited couple. Jack was the son of Arthur Everett, a council labourer, and had grown up at 22 Loder Road. After their marriage Dolly and Jack had eight children in rapid succession.
By 1931 the Everetts, including Freda, had moved into newly built 104 Newick Road on the Moulsecoomb housing estate. In 1939’s Register Jack/Lionel is described as a dairy hand for a cream manufacturer (heavy worker). He would later work at Brighton General Hospital. The house has remained in the Everett family for many decades.
Dolly and Jack had at least nine children together, and their descendents and inlaws remember very happy times at Newick Road. The house was the hub of the family, with mash and cold meat on Mondays, egg and chips, mini roast potatoes and little cakes being seemingly constantly produced by the indefatiguable Dolly. The house had an open-door attitude, with family and friends always welcome.
The children included:
Freda O. M. Trigwell nee Harmer (1920 – ????)
Freda married William ‘Bill’ Trigwell, who worked at the Allen West factory, in 1940. Their children are Daphne N/M. F. Mills nee Trigwell (b. 1939 or 1943), Hazel I (b. 1941 – d. 1943), Anthony W. (b. 1943), Graham P (b. 1947 – d.2018), Kevin R. (b. 1949), Rosemary W. Appleton nee Trigwell (b. 1951) and Marshall J. (b. 1955). The family lived at 91 Halland Road, which is within close walking distance of Newick Road, and later at 84 Whippingham Road. Freda, who was an extremely hard-working lady, was the manageress of the Rotunda Cafe in Preston Park and latterly Clark’s bakery at Haywards Heath, where her husband, children and extended family all had various roles.
Irene ‘Renie’ D. L. Benney nee East nee Everett (1923 – 17th Nov 2006?)
Renie’s first marriage was to Norman L. East in 1944. Their children are Patricia ‘Patsy’ A. Green nee East (b. 1944) and Jeanette I ‘Jeanie’ (b. 1947). Patsy and Jeanie lived with Dolly and Jack at 104 Newick Road for many years.
Renie’s second marriage was to Gordon J. Benney in 1959.
Kenneth ‘George’ Lionel George Everett (15th February 1926 – 2002?)
Kenneth married Barbara D. Hook in 1970. Their children are Colin James (b. 1971) and Nicola Dorothy (b. 1975).
Doreen Molly Joan Hollingdale nee Everett (13th April 1928 – 2003?)
Doreen married William ‘Bill’ Hollingdale in 1948. Their children are Marilyn Wakefield nee Hollingdale (b. 1948), Malcolm J. (b. 1952), Keith W (b. 1954), Trevor R. (b. 1955) and possibly Nigel (b. 1964).
The family lived at 18 Scotland Street.
Margery P. K. Attrill nee Everett (1932 – )
Margery’s first marriage was to Derrick R. Hughes in 1950. Their children are Clive R. (b. 1953) and Jacqueline A. known as ‘Jackie’ (b. 1958)
Margery’s second marriage was to Roy Attrill in 1982.
Ronald J. E. Everett (1934 – )
Ronald married Florence Maskell in 1957. Their children are Christopher (b. 1962) and Clare Moore nee Everett (b. 1968).
Shirley D. V. Everett (1936 – 1936)
Allan D. D. Everett (1937 – )
Roy ‘Noggy’ S. Everett (1939 – )
Roy’s first marriage was to Jean S. Newman in 1960. Their children are Julie A. (b. 1962) and Paul J. (b. 1964).
Roy’s second marriage was to Eleanor Goodchild in 1971.
Yvonne J. Everett (1943 – 1944)
Albert Edward Leslie Harmer (1902 – 1990)
Albert was born on the 8th April 1902. He worked as a butcher’s boy before enlisting with the Royal Navy. We know from his naval service record that he was 5′ 2″ in height, with brown eyes and brown hair. When he was discharged for compassionate reasons in 1920 he had served for 12 years, i.e. since he was 6! He does not seem to have seen active service until 1915, however. Albert married Mary A Rolf (b. 13th May 1902) at Brighton in 1922.
They had four Children = Doris R. E. Harmer (b. 1923), Mary Gladys May Harmer (b. 16th Jan 1926), Irene R. W. Harmer (b. 6th Jan 1928), and Albert R. G. Harmer (b. 1930).
Doris married Bernard A. G. Foat in 1944. Irene married Eric G. Mills in 1949. Mary married Kenneth Wenham on 30th May 1956
In the 1939 Register we find the family at 36 Hallett Road. Albert Snr. was working as a house painter and decorator like his father before him.
Albert died at Hove on 21st December 1990.
Percy Harmer (1904 – 1964)
Percy was born on 7th August 1904. He married Gladys Nellie Jones (b. 11th Aug 1909, d. 1987) at Brighton in 1933. A son, Percy George F. Harmer was born to them in 1933. By 1939 the family were living at 4 Roedale Road, possibly with a second child. Percy Snr. was in the army. A possible third child, Patricia, was born in 1941. Percy Jnr. married Margaret Polihill in September 1956.
Annie Elizabeth Edwards nee Harmer (1906 – 1971)
Annie was born on the 11th Dec 1906. She married Arthur Edwards (b. 7th May 1906) at Brighton in 1930. Two children came along; Rosemary A Edwards (2nd May 1934), Melvyn R Edwards (1939). By 1939’s Register the family were living in a flat at 63 Ladysmith Road. Arthur was working as a heavy goods lorry driver delivering table water. In 1944 Jennifer K Edwards completed the family unit. Rosemary married Malcolm D. Standen at Brighton in 1955. Melvyn married June A. Hooker at Brighton in 1963, and Jennifer married William J. Coppard in the same year. Annie died at Brighton in 1971 when she was 65.
Violet Rose Winifred Gough nee Harmer (1909 – 1989)
Violet was born on 13th Mar 1909. She married Ernest V. Gough (b. 19th Feb 1906) at Brighton in 1930. Whilst they were still in Brighton the couple had two children; Frank Ernest Victor Gough in 1931 (d.1962), and Pauline V. Gough in 1936. By 1939 the couple were living at 9 Sussex Road, Cuckfield, where Ernest was running a butcher’s shop. Another two children came along; Roy D. in 1941 and Gordon S. in 1942.
Frank died on 18th January 1962 in the council house at Dennis Way, Liss, Petersfield which he shared with his wife Rita M. Gough nee Camm, their infant daughter Jeanne Marie, and Jeanne’s older sisters. Both Rita and Jeanne died with Frank, but two young daughters Kathleen (6) and Susan (4) survived. The cause of death was dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide gas, which was in those days all too common.
Violet passed away in the Haywards heath registration district in 1989 aged 80.
Hilda Lillian Irene Harmer (1910 – 1979)
Hilda was born on 8th November 1910. She married John Leslie Donaldson (b. 5th Jan 1908) at Brighton in the winter of 1932. John drove a heavy goods vehicle for a scrap metal merchant, and in the 1939 Register we find them at 86 Hillside on the Moulsecoomb housing estate, Brighton. Their three possible children are Sheila (b. 1933), Brian (b. 1936) and Kenneth (b. 1939).
Marjorie Rita Eileen Ferris nee Harmer (1913 – 1993)
Marjorie was born on 30th April 1913. She married Thomas William Ferris (b. 20th September 1912) at Brighton in 1935. Thomas is described as a carpenter in the 1939 Register, when they were living at 36 Washington Street, a few houses away from Marjorie’s parents. By 1949 they had moved to 63 Washington Street.
Marjorie and Thomas had four children, including a set of triplets who were born in 1938; John, Joyce (d. 2018) and Leslie.
Their sister Rita M. Harmer who came along in 1939 married Brian W. Halls at Brighton in 1963, and she and their children Stephen and Darren still live in Brighton today.
Sadly Thomas passed away on 3rd February 1975, aged 63. When Marjorie passed away nearly 20 years later on 10th December 1993 she was still living at 63 Washington Street.
Vera Gladys May Banks nee Harmer (1916 – 1981)
Vera was born on 22nd March 1916. She married Arthur G. Banks at Brighton (b. 2nd August 1915) in 1937 with whom she had a daughter, Maureen A, in 1939. Arthur was a fruit salesman, and in the 1939 Register he and Vera were living with Vera’s paternal uncle Frank Leonard Harmer (1897 – 1948) at 88 Coleman Street, one street down from Washington Street. This was the house which Frank Leonard had moved to with his mother after his father’s tragic suicide. Like many other Brighton Harmers, Frank Leonard was a house painter, and Vera was in that year working as a housekeeper.
Maureen married Raymond Dadswell at Brighton in 1961.
Elsie Olive May Ransley nee Harmer (1919 – 2004 )
Elsie was born on 16th January 1919. She married Harry V. Ransley (b. 12th June 1914), a general labourer, at Brighton in 1939. Harry moved into the family home at 39 Washington Street. The couple had one daughter, Jean P. Ransley, in 1940, who married Anthony J. Englander at Brighton in 1960. Jean and Anthony’s daughter Sharon was born the same year. Elsie passed away at Brighton on 21st Jan 2004.
