The story of Elizabeth Chettle born 1862 Newington Surrey the Wife of Frederick William Chettle

For many years I have had in my possession only two photographs of my Great Grand Parents Frederick William and Elizabeth Chettle. Along with the photographs I was told by my Grandmother that Elizabeth Chettle was originally Elizabeth Ball and that she was born near the Elephant and Castle in London and that Elizabeth went "into service". I was also told that even in old age Elizabeth retained her cockney accent.

Elizabeth Ball married Frederick William Chettle on 29th November 1891 in Victoria Australia and we knew by looking at her marriage certificate that her parents were called Henry Ball and Jane Castle.

However when we attempted to look a the origins of Elizabeth Ball in London there was no sign of her birth actually ever being registered and no sign of a Henry Ball and Jane Ball on any census that would make any sense.

In July 2012 the "case" on Elizabeth Chettle was reopened and the evidence was again analysed and now we know a great deal of how Elizabeth Chettle came to be.

Elizabeth Ball was born in 1861/2 in Newington, Surrey. Her parents were Henry Ball and Jane Ball (nee Castle). It would appear that Elizabeth was unregistered at the time of her birth.

Henry Ball married Jane Castle on 2 April 1861 at St Mary Newington, Surrey. Henry was a shoemaker as was his Father, George Ball and Jane's Father, Robert Adams Castle. Both Henry and Jane were of full age and their residence is given as King Street, Newington. Unusually both Henry and Jane could read and write.

On the 1861 census we see that Jane Ball's parents Robert and Elizabeth Castle are residing at No 23 King Street St Mary Lambeth (Newington), the same address that is supplied for the marriage certificate of Henry and Jane. At the time of the 1861 census the newly married Henry and Jane Ball are residing at 291 Union Street Newington. Henry gives his age as 34 and Jane's age is 21.

We know that Elizabeth was born probably in 1862 in the first quarter of that year but there is no birth certificate reference available despite sending for several copies of birth certificates for Elizabeth Ball not one has matched so it is presumed Elizabeth was never officially registered.

It is now proven that Jane Ball along with Elizabeth Ball and a baby named Henry Ball entered the Newington Workhouse on Saturday 15th February 1868. They are admitted into the workhouse as:
Jane Ball, Wife of Shoemaker, born 1844, Church of England. No attached to paupers clothes 34.

Elizabeth Ball, Child of Shoemaker, born 1862, Church of England. No attached to paupers clothes 373.

Henry Ball, Child of Shoemaker, born 1868, Church of England. No attached to paupers clothes 374.

The child Henry Ball was later discharged to the London Fever Hospital, Islington on April 20th 1869 and there is a death of a Henry Ball age 1 recorded in June quarter 1869 in Islington so we can assume that the child died. There is no record of a birth certificate for Henry Ball. When Henry Ball the child is discharged from the Newington Workhouse to the London Fever Hospital there is an address written as "admitted from" against his name and this is New Street - Camden Street. I have checked the London map for Newington for 1868 and Camden Street runs into New Street and then into Union Street and Union Street is the address given by Henry and Jane in the 1861 census.

All are admitted from the Parish of St Mary, Newington by the order of R O Porter dated February 13th 1868.

We can also now see that Henry Ball (presumed to be the Husband of Jane Ball) was admitted into Newington Workhouse on Monday October 8th 1866 due to illness and he is discharged "Dead" on January 31st 1867. His death certificate shows that he died from Phthisis or as we now it Consumption (TB) the same disease that we now know killed his Wife Jane. This does raise questions about the father of the child Henry Ball but it is highly likely that Henry Ball the child was born in 1867 not 1868 and that Jane Ball was allowed to visit her Husband in the Workhouse. There is no known birth registered for Henry Ball in Newington or surrounding areas in 1867 or 1868.

On Saturday 28th March 1868 the very last entry in the admissions and discharges book states that Jane Ball is discharged "dead" age 24. The death certificate of Jane Ball states that she died in the workhouse aged 24 (this is an incorrect age as she is really 28) the Wife of -------- Ball a Shoemaker, cause of death is Phthisis or as we know it Consumption (TB) The same disease that killed her Husband Henry.

Also admitted to the Newington Workhouse on February 1867 are the Parents of Jane Ball, Robert and Elizabeth Castle. They are discharged on their own account on March 30 1867

Elizabeth Ball the only surviving member of the Ball Family is discharged from the Newington Workhouse to Sutton School on Monday March 2nd 1868 aged 7. On checking the Sutton admissions and discharge register it states that Elizabeth Ball born 1861 C of E, No Parents are named and Elizabeth is then discharged to Hanwell School.

On the 1871 census Elizabeth Ball is at Hanwell Central School for Children chargeable to the City of London. Elizabeth is a Pauper Scholar age 9, place of birth is Surrey, St Mary Newington.

In the Hanwell School Admissions and Discharge register the entry reads:
Elizabeth Ball aged 8 admitted to Hanwell School chargeable to the Parish of Newington 12th May 1870.

A later entry in the register states that, Elizabeth Ball discharged to Service 8th August 1872. No relatives or observations noted. Elizabeth is 10 years old.

On the 1881 Census Elizabeth Ball appears as a Domestic Servant working for a Mr Charles Lavay a Civil Engineer and his family at 2 Richmond Crescent, Barmsbury Islington. The property still stands today. Elizabeth gives her age as 22 but in reality she is only 19 years old.

As we already knew Elizabeth Ball sailed to Australia aboard the SS Nurnberg in August 1889 aged 27 and in Australia she met Frederick William Chettle and they were married 29th November 1891 in Victoria Australia before returning to Anstey Leicestershire and then moving to 12 Lorrimer Road., Aylestone Leicester.

Elizabeth Chettle died in January 1933 aged 71 and is buried in Welford Road Cemetery Leicester alongside her Husband Frederick William Chettle.