Solomon GUMBLETON

In 1841, Solomon's father, John, was working as a police constable, and was staying witht he Hayter family in Whiteparish, Wiltshire. Solomon, aged 3 was with his mother and grandmother in West Grimstead. In 1851, Solomon and his siblings were still with their maother and grandmother, in West Grimstead, but their father, now a railway porter, was lodging in Bishopstoke, Hampshire.

In 1853, now aged about 16, Solomon was recorded as a member of the Wiltshire Friendly Society; a society founded to provide income replacement insurance to working men and women.

By 1860, he had moved to London, presumably for reasons of work, and in that year, he was married to Maria Osman at the Parish Church, Kensington. The 1861 census shows them living with their 7-month-old son at "The Spring", Hanwell. "The Spring" was a large house and grounds in the occupation of Sir Alexander Spearman, Baronet: Solomon worked as his gardener. They were still there, living in "Spring Cottage" in 1871.

In 1872, Solomon's father, John Gumbleton, died and Solomon was the executor and sole beneficary of his will.

By 1881, Somon and his family had moved from The Spring, probably because Sir Alexander Spearman had died in 1874. The 1881 census shows them living at Herrott Villas, Hanwell: Solomon is listed as a gardener & florist. AN 1884 street and trade directory Solomon as a florist in Marston Rd, Hanwell, so he may have had a shop there.

The 1891 census shows him and his family living at 17 Alfred Terrace, Rosebank Rd, Hanwell. No occupation is given, but it is noted that Solomon is an epileptic. They lived there at least until 1893 but by 1895 had moved to 36 Rosebank Rd, Hanwell, where he also appears in the 1901 census.

In 1904, now aged 66, Solomon was charged with disorderly conduct, arising from his practice of stopping people in the street and wanting to talk to them about religion. He was bound over by the Court and was described as"over-religious". He was warned, "You must not go and interfere with people in the street. They are not much interested in your religion. They have one of their own. They don't want you trying to persuade them about what you believe."

Solomon GUMBLETON died in 1906, aged 69, in the Brentford Registration District of Middlesex.