Louisa Fry [f.2.6.6]

Louisa Fry was the sixth child of Samuel Fry & Sarah Smeed born Oct-Dec 1851, registered at Cuckfield & christened July 30th, 1854 at Ardingley.

In 1861 Louisa was living with her parents, 3 brothers & 3 sisters at Wiggs Farm, Withyham, Sussex

Louisa was living at home at the time of both the 1871 & 1881 censuses, which was Chartners Farm, Hartfield, Sussex.

On December 9th, 1885 Louisa married widower James Goodwin at St Paul's, Bermondsey, London. Witnesses at the wedding were Louisa's father Samuel Fry & her sister Alice Sarah Fry. James was the son of Thomas (deceased at the time of the wedding) & Sarah Goodwin of Beeches Farm, Hartfield, born Oct-Dec 1837 at Cowden, Kent, his birth being registered at Sevenoaks. James had previously married Louisa’s sister Caroline in 1871, but Caroline died 2 years later – see f.2.6.3 Caroline Fry.

Louisa & James marriage

By 1891 Louisa & James were living at ‘Waystrood’, Cowden, Kent & his occupation is given as ‘farmer’s brother’! They had 2 children – Howard Thomas S born at Tandridge, Surrey, aged 4 & Freda Sarah C born Cowden, aged 2. Just after the census Lionel James A was born.

A notice in the Kent & Sussex Courier of November 23rd, 1894 shows that James was in bankruptcy proceedings which involved the sale of much of the farming equipment at Beeches Farm, Hartfield.

Sadly Freda died at the age of 6 on May 19th, 1895, & was buried at St Mary's, Hartfield next to her grandparents Samuel & Sarah Fry. At this time the family were living at Furnace Mill, Cowden.

In 1901 Louisa was living at 43 Western Rd, Bexhill, Sussex with son Howard (14), a stationer’s assistant. James at this time was living at 6 Wilton Rd, Bexhill with other son Lionel who was recorded as Lionel J A Fry. Oddly James was recorded as being widowed, which is strange as his wife was living nearby in the same town!!

James Goodwin died in December 1902 at the age of 65, in Hartfield. An inquest report in the Sussex Agricultural Express of December 13th, 1902 said that the cause of death was ‘old-standing heart disease, aggravated by acute bronchitis …the change of weather probably hastening matters.’ The report states that James, a gardener, had appeared unwell recently but despite being encouraged to do so, he refused to see a doctor.

In 1911 widowed Louisa was described as an apartment house keeper at 15 Wilton Rd, Bexhill. With her was son Lionel who was now a motor engineer. (Louisa gave her age as 53!) Son Howard was living at 57 High St, Maidenhead in 1911 where he was an outfitter’s assistant.

Son Lionel married Minnie Knight on Christmas Day, 1912 at Hastings.

On May 28th, 1915 son Lionel enlisted in the Army Service Corps at Hastings & gave his address as 15 Wilton Rd, Bexhill & his wife’s address as 59 St Mary’s Rd, Hastings. His trade was a motor mechanic. Lionel was posted to France & served until 1919. He was awarded the War Medal, Victory Medal & the 14/15 Star. His army record showed that Lionel & Minnie had 2 children – Lionel Kitchener Howard born June 21st, 1915 at Hastings & Vera Louisa born September 25th, 1917 at Hastings. After the war it appears they had 3 more children all born in Hastings. Sadly son Lionel Kitchener died in 1940 during WW2 while serving with the Royal Artillery.

Son Howard married Violet Sophia Hatcher in 1916 at Portsmouth & they had a daughter Joan M in 1921, born at Wycombe, Bucks. Howard enlisted with the Royal Marine Artillery on November 7th, 1916.

Louisa died on November 5th, 1934 at 27 Wilton Road, Bexhill, Sussex. Probate was granted on January 28th, 1935, to sons Howard Thomas Samuel Goodwin, a hosier, and Lionel James Albert Goodwin, engineer. Her effects were £967.17s.3d. An obituary in the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer of November 10th, 1934 stated that Louisa had lived in Bexhill for over 38 years. She had lived at Wilton Rd. until 2 years before her death when she spent some time living with her son at High Wickham. She had returned to Bexhill a year ago to live with Miss Cullen, an old friend & neighbor at Lynstead, Wilton Rd where she died.

The children of Louisa Fry & James Goodwin were:

f.2.6.6.1 Howard Thomas Samuel Goodwin christened September 26th, 1886 at Tandridge, Surrey; died March 24th, 1956 at 25 Priory Rd, High Wycombe, Bucks
f.2.6.6.2 Freda Sarah Caroline Goodwin born Oct-December 1888 at Cowden, Kent; died May 19th, 1895 buried on May 27th, 1895 at St Mary's, Hartfield
f.2.6.6.3 Lionel James Albert Goodwin born April-June 1891 at Cowden; died November 1941 at 59 St Mary’s Rd, Hastings