Histories

    WILLIAM ABRAHAM WEEKS was baptised at St Luke's, Old Charlton, on 29 Jun 1828. He lived all his life in Park Lane (or Weeks' Lane, Wright's Lane - William Wright was a neighbouring market gardener - or Back Lane), Charlton, in a cottage with a market garden which he took over from his father.

    AGNES JULIA PIERCE was born in Old Charlton, and baptised at St Luke's on 23 Jan 1831 alongside a sister of her future husband, so she and William probably knew each other well from childhood. In 1851 she was one of 2 servants living in with John Pialfe, a clerk at Rothschild, and his wife at their house in Church Lane, Charlton, not far from her own parents' home.

    William and Agnes were married in St Luke's Church, Old Charlton.

    William's market garden appeared to prosper, being listed in the Post Office Directory in 1866, 1874 and 1878  (but not in 1870). On 22 Nov 1869 he had to renegotiate with Sir John Maryon Wilson the lease for the land his father had leased in 1816, but with the annual rent now raised from £42-10-6d to £60. A plan included with the deed showed the land, now described as 14 acres 2 roods, to be roughly square in shape, bordered by (unnamed) Park Lane, Occupation Road (previously Smithfield Road) and Smithfield Wood. The NW corner of the property was near what is now the junction of Charlton Park Lane and Canberra Road. The plan shows 4 buildings, one presumably the family cottage, at the NE corner of the land. The deed included conditions for the regular painting and upkeep of the buildings, and the proviso that the land could only be used for market gardening. William signed his name to the deed. (The deeds of lease in 1816 and 1869 are now in the Greater London Public Record Office).

    In 1871 William's total market garden occupied 24 acres and he employed 4 men, 2 women and 2 boys. He sold most of his produce at Covent Garden. In 1874 he was listed as an elector by virtue of owning a house south of the Dover Rd called "Longlands".

    For a time he also had a contract to empty the cesspits and dustbins of Woolwich. On one occasion his large 3-horse sealed wagon full of liquid manure broke down on a Saturday night in front of a church and had to be left there much to the annoyance of the vicar. On another occasion one of William's workers was overcome by the fumes in a sewer and died.

    William liked organising shooting parties for his country friends, a dozen or so at a time, his son James having to look after the retriever dogs. He was not averse to poaching if the opportunity arose and he could get away with it. Once he shot a stag belonging to his landlord (Sir John Wilson) which had strayed onto his land but denied all knowledge when the bailiff came looking for it. He regarded all birds as pests and would give his sons one penny per dozen for eggs collected and destroyed.

    A niece of his, Martha Elizabeth Holland (b c 1856 in Woolwich), lived with the family for many years, at least from 1871 to 1891.

    William seems to have been somewhat hot-tempered, whereas Agnes was placid and patient. She died after a long illness.

    When William died the market garden was sold in accordance with his will. His son James eventually received a cheque for £300; presumably Agnes also inherited a share. The cottage in which he had lived all his life was pulled down in 1935, and the area is now mostly houses plus a sports ground belonging to Siemens & Co.

    WILLIAM HENRY died of diphtheria.

    AGNES MARIA, known as Tyne, was still living at her parent's home in 1991. Later (18 Jun 1896) she married William S Norton, who had been a schoolfriend of her brother James. They first lived at 60 Richmond Rd, Stamford Hill. They had no children. In later years they lived at Brentwood, Essex. After William died Agnes continued to live at Brentwood with William's unmarried sister.

    EDMUND ABRAHAM and ANNA MARIA both died of diphtheria.

    WALTER JAMES was a lively lad, often leading his younger brother James into mischief. He was an apprentice carpenter in 1881. Shortly after he quarrelled with his father, ran away from home and was never heard of again. It was believed that he emigrated to Australia.

    LAURA LOUISE died of scarlet fever.