Child, James

Epithet: Treasury messenger

James Child, gardener

James Child (1838-1924) was born in Pyrford, Surrey. His father Charles was a boot maker and his mother ran the family farm. He started his horticultural career as apprentice at Langhedge Nursery, run by his uncle, Charles Woolven, in Upper Edmonton, Middlesex. Later he worked briefly as under-gardener at Woodside, Esher, Surrey, before his appointment as one of 21 gardeners at Claremont, Esher, Surrey. Over his five years at Claremont Child worked his way through each department and gained experience in every aspect of horticulture. At 25 he married Fanny Youatt, with whom he had eight children. After leaving Claremont, he was appointed head gardener at a series of private gardens: Thames Villa, Sunbury, Middlesex; Brackley Lodge, Oatlands Park, Weybridge, Surrey; Lebanon House, Twickenham, Middlesex; Garbrand Hall, Ewell, Surrey; and Houndswood, St Albans, Hertfordshire. He eventually retired to Epsom, where he worked as a landscape gardener and florist, and built and owned property in association with family members.

Source: Original items in the archive.

William Child, joiner

William Child (26 Feb 1875-9 Jun 1960) was born in Ewell, Surrey, the son of James and Fanny Child. He worked as a carpenter and joiner. In 1900 he married Evelyn Mary Wicks in Epsom and they had four children: Frank, George, Phyllis and Christine.

Source: Ancestry.co.uk.