The Virgoe Family of Sussex
William John Virgoe was born on 18 March 1812 in Shoreham, Sussex. He was the son of Thomas and Jane Virgoe. Thomas Virgoe was born in about 1771 in Brighton, Sussex. He was a customs house officer and the family lived at 32 Russell street, Brighton from at least 1841 until Thomas’s death in about September 1865. Thomas received a pension after his retirement.
William John Virgoe married Martha Sayers on 11 October 1832 in Henfield, Sussex. Martha, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Sayers, was born in about 1909 in Henfield, Sussex.
In 1841, William and Martha were living at New Town, Worthing, Sussex with their 1-year-old daughter Ann and Martha’s widowed mother, Elizabeth Sayers. William was employed as a labourer. Ann Virgoe died a year later aged 2 years. William and Martha had already lost at least one child earlier, a son Henry who died as an infant in 1834.
William John Virgoe married Martha Sayers on 11 October 1832 in Henfield, Sussex. Martha, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Sayers, was born in about 1909 in Henfield, Sussex.
In 1841, William and Martha were living at New Town, Worthing, Sussex with their 1-year-old daughter Ann and Martha’s widowed mother, Elizabeth Sayers. William was employed as a labourer. Ann Virgoe died a year later aged 2 years. William and Martha had already lost at least one child earlier, a son Henry who died as an infant in 1834.
There was happier news later in 1842 with the arrival of a healthy son, named William John after his father. He was born on 21 October 1842 in Worthing, Sussex. Two more children were born before 1851 when the family were still living at New Town, Worthing, Sussex. William earned a living as an agricultural labourer and Martha helped bring in some extra income as a dressmaker.
By 1861, the Virgoe family had moved to 18 High street, West Tarring, Sussex. William was a gardener’s labourer and Martha was still taking in dressmaking. Young William was working as a wine porter and Charles had a job as a milk boy. Caroline and youngest son, Alfred who was born in about June 1851, were at school. |
William John Virgoe jnr was married on 18 May 1862 in Brighton. His wife, Elizabeth Denyer, was the daughter of William Denyer and Elizabeth Reeves. Charles Virgoe married Susan Knotts on 13 June 1868 in Broadwater, Sussex. Charles earned his living as a gardener. He and Susan did not have any children. The following year Caroline Virgoe was married to William Freeland Browne, they had two daughters, Caroline Martha and Agnes Beatrice. Caroline Browne died in about December 1876 at just 27 years of age.
In 1871, William and Martha were living at 5 Clifton road, Worthing, Sussex, both were still working, William as a labourer and Martha as a dressmaker. All of the children had left home, Alfred was doing his apprenticeship as a carpenter and the other children were all married with their own families.
In 1871, William and Martha were living at 5 Clifton road, Worthing, Sussex, both were still working, William as a labourer and Martha as a dressmaker. All of the children had left home, Alfred was doing his apprenticeship as a carpenter and the other children were all married with their own families.
Ten years later and William and Martha were receiving assistance and had moved into one of the Almshouses in Worthing, Sussex. William was still working, as a porter, but Martha was now blind and unable to work.
The Almshouses were built to provide housing for the poor and elderly who could no longer pay rent, and, initially, were an extension of the church. Many were privately funded, including six houses built on Humphreys road, Worthing by Robert and Ann Humphreys in memory of their son. There were also some Almshouses built in Chapel street, which was later renamed Portland road. In 1891, William and Martha were both unable to work and were relying on charities for assistance. They were still living in Humphrey’s Almshouse on Chapel street, Worthing, Sussex. |
Youngest son, Alfred was married the following year in Wimbledon, Surrey. He married Annie Eliza White on 16 April 1892. Alfred was 41 years old and had established himself as a carpenter and builder in Brighton, Sussex before moving to Surrey with his 29-year-old wife. Alfred and Annie had no children.
William John Virgoe died on 16 December 1893 in the Alms House, Worthing, Sussex at the age of 81 years. His son, William was present. Just over a year later Martha Virgoe died on 18 January 1895, her granddaughter, Ellen Louisa Virgoe, was present. Martha was 85 years old.
William John Virgoe died on 16 December 1893 in the Alms House, Worthing, Sussex at the age of 81 years. His son, William was present. Just over a year later Martha Virgoe died on 18 January 1895, her granddaughter, Ellen Louisa Virgoe, was present. Martha was 85 years old.
Descendants of William John Virgoe
William John Virgoe was born on 18 March 1812 in Shoreham, Sussex and died on 16 December 1893 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 81 years. William married Martha Sayers on 11 October 1832 in Henfield, Sussex. Martha was born in about 1809 in Henfield, Sussex, was christened on 10 December 1809 in Henfield, Sussex and died on 18 January 1895 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 85 years. They had seven children: Fanny Elizabeth, Henry, Ann, William John, Charles, Caroline and Alfred.
- Fanny Elizabeth Virgoe was born in about 1833 in Henfield, Sussex and was christened on 17 February 1833 in Henfield, Sussex.
- Henry Virgoe was born in about April 1834 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 25 April 1834 in Broadwater, Sussex and died in May 1834 in Broadwater, Sussex at about one month. He was buried in Saint Mary’s Churchyard, Worthing, Sussex.
- Ann Virgoe was born in June quarter 1940 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 2 April 1840 in Broadwater, Sussex and died in May 1842 in Worthing, Sussex at age 2 years. She was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Worthing, Sussex.
- William John Virgoe was born on 21 October 1842 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 20 November 1842 in Broadwater, Sussex and died on 23 November 1915 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 73 years. William married Elizabeth Denyer on 18 May 1862 in Brighton, Sussex. Elizabeth was born in about 1841 in Billinghurst, Sussex, was christened on 1 August 1841 in Wisborough Green, Sussex and died in March quarter 1923 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 82 years. They had eleven children: Annie, Edward, Harriet Caroline, William John, Henry Alfred, Elizabeth, Frederick Charles, Ellen Louisa, Joseph Albert, James George and Frank Robert.
- Charles Virgoe was born on 23 February 1847 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 4 April 1847 in Broadwater, Sussex and died in March quarter 1903 in St Marylebone, Middlesex at age 56 years. Charles married Susan Knotts on 14 June 1868 in Broadwater, Sussex. Susan was born in June quarter 1842 in Staines, Middlesex and died in June quarter 1919 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 77 years. She was buried on 5 April 1919 in Broadwater Cemetery, South Farm road, Worthing, Sussex.
- Caroline Virgoe was born on 30 January 1849 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 8 April 1849 in Broadwater, Sussex and died in December quarter 1876 in East Preston district, Sussex at age 27 years. Caroline married William Freeland Browne on 21 August 1869 in Broadwater, Sussex. William was born in September quarter 1846 in Droxford, Hampshire and died in March quarter 1918 in Birmingham, Warwickshire at age 71 years. They had two daughters: Caroline Martha and Agnes Beatrice.
- Alfred Virgoe was born in about 1851 in Worthing, Sussex, was christened on 15 June 1851 in Broadwater, Sussex and died in June quarter 1914 in Croydon, Surrey at age 63 years. Alfred married Annie Eliza White on 16 April 1892 in Wimbledon, Surrey. Annie was born in December quarter 1862 in Brighton, Sussex and died in December quarter 1929 in Kingston, Surrey at age 67 years. They had no children.