Frederick George was born on 14th August 1837 and was the first member of the family who can be identified by a birth certificate as civil registration had been introduced earlier that year. This gives the name of both his parents, plus the occupation of his father and the maiden name of his mother. It clearly shows his mother's name as Elizabeth Barham and her maiden name as Hazelton, though as we know his parents were not married. Frederick's second name, George, may well have been in memory of their son George, who had died in 1836.
Three years later the 1841 census shows the family, (James, Elizabeth and seven children) living in Greenhithe. Five years later however James died his will directed that the youngest children and their mother should be provided for by the continuation of the plumbing/glazing/painting busines by his half-brother Alfred. This appeared not to happen however as in 1851 the eldest brother Charles was in charge and there was no sign of Alfred.
In 1851 (age 14) he was listed as an “errand boy”, living with his mother and brothers, and 1861, although still living in Greenhithe, he had now married. His wife’s name was Sarah Garland, and she was born in Weymouth – a connection that will appear again a generation later. His occupation is described here as “Plummer and decorator”, and they had one child at the time – Frederick William born in 1861.
The 1871 census shows that they had moved to Crown Street, Crayford, By now Frederick William had died (1864), but they had 4 further children, Elizabeth (1864), Ernest (1866), Sarah (1868) and Charles (1870). Frederick was described as a “plumber and glazier”.
By 1881 the family had left Crayford and Frederick was no longer in the building trades. They had moved to Northampton, where he was working as a “commission agent”. Elizabeth was not living with them, but they now had two further children, Florence (1874) and Richard (1881).