A History of Preston in Hertfordshire

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The 1921 census

The 1921 census was taken on 19 June 1921. Details of more than thirty-eight million people were recorded - and this census included information which was noted for the first time - ages were expressed as years and months and occupation data was bolstered when employers and/or the employing companies were also recorded. This might add to what we know of people’s lives - for example, now, for the first time, I discovered that my father was labouring for Mr Priestley as a callow sixteen-year-old at the newly-built Tatmore Place. The census was taken shortly after the end of WW1 and also after the ‘flu epidemic which swept the world in 1918. This was particularly relevant when one sees many widows or orphans in the sample - for every widow or widower, one wonders if they had been deprived of a mate by war or a pandemic. Lurking amongst the details are clues about household circumstances. My Preston grandfather had a leg amputated, but I didn’t know when this happened. In 1921, he was said to have ‘total disablement’. His loss of a limb was surely therefore before 1921 - and one might even conclude from the somewhat unusual wording that it was not long before that year.

Surname

Given name

Place in h-hold

Age yrs/mos Status

Birthplace

Occupation HW = housewife

Employer

The 1921 census form for Temple Dinsley, completed and signed by Douglas Vickers. The enumerator’s initials are shown at the bottom of the form - “TA”.

Douglas Katherine Adelaide Oliver Henry D Barbara Kathleen Gerald Ross Ernest Leslie Denis Osmond Donald Ellen Dorothy Harry Alice Eliza Annie Mary William Alfred Charles Ernest Winifred Kate Reginald Harry John Annie Elizabeth Betty Alice Hugh E Fidelity May Ellen Alice Ruth Jane Louie Constance George William Nellie George Thomas Charles Beatrice Ruth Phyllis Rose Sidney Charles Lavinia Louisa Daisy John Alice Ruth Ethel Victoria Sidney James William Arthur William Minnie Cecil Henry Arthur James Lawrence John Horace Stanley Fred Alice Violet Willie Lorna William John Ezra William Daisy William Charlie Joan Irene Reginald Joseph W Annie Anderson Barbara Nann Ellena Rose William Kenward Emma Robert Wilfred Florence John Wilfred Robert D Joan B George Adelaide George Ellen Peter Isabella Walter George Caroline Walter Henry Thomas John Ann Arthur Emily Frederick Mary A Arthur Edgar Clarence Freda Arthur Agnes Dorothy Dorothy Rose Harry Cecil G Nora Lily Sidney Arthur Dorothy Amy Cecil Horace Charles Alfred Harriett Cecil Charles Edward Charles David William Emma William William Harriet William Mary Henry Emma William George Frank Mary Frederick Arthur Harry Margaret Elizabeth Rosa Margaret Harry Ellen Ralston de Vins Gerard Ithell E. George William Bertha Emily Christabel Annie Constance P Arthur Francis Arthur Wilson Mary Lucy Nora Mary Ernest William Evelyn Jane Hilda Jane Robert William Kathleen Horace Victor Walter Arthur James Edward Martha Lily Ernest James Edith Edwards Robert Louisa Arthur George Edith Emily May Lily Thomas Catherine Caroline Mary Elizabeth Catherine Rose Katherine Mary John Emily Grace Annie Minnie Alfred Elizabeth Emma Henry James Gertrude Kate Eileen Gertrude Dorothy Alfred Emily Robert Frank Jack Dick Sam Maggie Arthur Lizzie Amos Sarah George Henry Jesse Rose Thomas Martha Lawrence H Annie Margaret Frank Barbara Olive William Herbert Elsie Arthur George Herbert Phyllis George Frank Maggie Willie Herbert Emily Percy Fred Bertie Walter Arthur James Alice Maud William Charles Reuben Leonard Winifred Alice Frederick Ernest Lizzy Harry Fred Dick Violet Edith William Annie Wilson Ida May Bernard David Florence Walton Elsie Doris Hamilton Margaret Emma John Bruce Phyllis Rachel Rachel Mary Grace Millicent Mary Matilda George Reuben Elizabeth Betsy Jack George Elizabeth Thomas Charles Emily Carp William Henry Arthur Mary John Jane

TEMPLE DINSLEY VICKERS VICKERS VICKERS VICKERS LARKIN FOOT MULHOLLAND MacINTYRE POOLE MARLOW TEMPLE FARM DARTON DARTON DARTON DARTON DARTON DARTON DARTON TEMPLE DINSLEY LODGE FLINT FLINT FLINT POYNDERS END HOUSE SEEBOHM SEEBOHM FIELDER PATERNOSTER ROOKYARD STEELE LEADER POYNDERS END FARM GARNER GARNER GARNER POYNDERS END TRUSSELL TRUSSELL TRUSSELL BURTON BURTON NEAR HITCHWOOD GARNER GARNER GARNER GARNER GARNER GARNER JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS WALKER WALKER WALKER WALKER WALKER MARSHALL MURPHY BOSTON BOSTON BOSTON BOSTON CRUNNELLS GRN HSE DAWSON DAWSON DAWSON CLARIDGE CRUNNELLS GREEN MILES MILES SCHOOL BUNGALOW, SCHOOL LANE CORBETT CORBETT CORBETT CORBETT CORBETT BACK LANE ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS PETERS PETERS BUNYAN PETERS PETERS PETERS PETERS PAYNE PAYNE CURRELL CURRELL PAYNE WOODROW WOODROW WOODROW WOODROW WOODROW WOODROW DOBBS DOBBS DOBBS WILSON WILSON HALL HALL HALL HALL KEEPERS LODGE KINGS WALDEN ROAD BILES BILES BILES ANSCOMB CAMPER NORTH SIDE OF CHURCH LANE SCOTT SCOTT EWINGTON COSTER CHALKLEY CHALKLEY CHALKLEY JEEVES CRAWLEY BOSTON BOSTON CURRELL CURRELL PRESTON GREEN VINE COTTAGE ROBINSON WORTHINGTON WORTHINGTON WORTHINGTON WORTHINGTON FIG TREE COTTAGE CANNON THE LABURNUMS PRYOR PRYOR LABURNUM LODGE NASH NASH PETERS HEATHORN HEATHORN KENWOOD COTTAGE WHITE WHITE WHITE THE CLUB HOUSE HAMMOND HAMMOND HAMMOND HAMMOND HAMMOND HAMMOND HAMMOND THE RED LION HEDLEY HEDLEY HEDLEY BARKER CRAWLEY CRAWLEY CRAWLEY CRAWLEY CRAWLEY ADAMS ADAMS THE OLD FORGE CHURCH ROAD ASHTON ASHTON ASHTON ASHTON ASHTON KIRBY WAINWOOD COTTAGE ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR THE CHEQUERS INN CARTER CARTER CHEQUERS COTTAGES, CHEQUERS LANE ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG ROBERTSON WRAY WRAY WRAY WRAY WRAY WRAY WRAY WRAY PALMER PALMER JEEVES JEEVES JEEVES JEEVES JEEVES TREHANE PETERS PETERS PETERS PETERS PETERS PETERS ANDERSON DEER DEER BISHOP CHEQUERS LANE NORTH SIDE JENKINS JENKINS CURRELL JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS SHARP SHARP SHARP SHARP SHARP SHARP PALMER PALMER PALMER PALMER PALMER NASH JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS JENKINS BUTCHERS LANE ‘THE WILDERNESS’ SHARPE SHARPE SHARPE ‘ROSE COTTAGE’ HAYTON HAYTON CORBIN CASTLE FARM MACFARLANE MACFARLANE STRANGE POND FARM BROWN BROWN BROWN PECK FRESHWATER SOOTFIELD COTTAGES FREEMAN FREEMAN FREEMAN FREEMAN FREEMAN FITZJOHN FITZJOHN PRESTON HILL FARM ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG HILL FARM COTTAGE AYRES AYRES SWAIN SWAIN SPINDLE COTTAGE Hitchin Road Post Office FROST Rosa FROST Clara Sanderson FROST William David THE BOTHY Temple Dinsley COOK William Henry COOK Jessie COOK Gordon Leonard COOK Barbara Kathleen THE COTTAGE Hitchin Road BURNAGE Herbert Arthur BURNAGE Helen BURNAGE Herbert Arthur STUBBS Frederick STUBBS Rosa CRUNNELLS GREEN COTTAGE CORBETT Ernest Oliver CORBETT Oliver JENKINS May TEMPLE DINSLEY LODGE LONGLEY Alfred LONGLEY Caroline ROBINSON Rose Emily HITCHWOOD PETERS Leonard PETERS Gladys PETERS William PETERS Emily LANGLEY/HILL END SCOTT Lord Herbert SCOTT Lady SCOTT Marion SCOTT Patricia TISDAL Gwynneth TISDAL Bridget PRICE Mary GARNER Walter BUCKSEY George BUCKSEY Margaret

Head Wife Son Dinlw Vstr Vstr Vstr Vstr Svt Svt Head Wife Dau Son Son Dau Son Head Wife Dau Head Dau Svt Svt Svt Svt Svt Head Wife Son Head Wife Dau Head Wife Head Wife Son Son Son Son Head Wife Dau Son Dau Brdr Brdr Head Wife Son Dau Head Wife Dau Svt Head Wife Head Wife Son Son Dau Head Wife Son Dau Head Wife Gson Head Wife Son Son Head Son Dau SinLw Gdau Head Wife Son Son Son Dau Head Wife Dau Head Wife Wife Son Dau Son Head Wife Son Brder Brdr Head Wife Head Brder Head Son Dau Head Head Head Son Head Mther Head SinLw Dau Gdau Gson Head Head Bro Head Wife DnLw Nce Nphw Head Wife Dau Head Wife Dau Son Dau Son Son Head Wife Son Brdr Head Wife Son Son Dau Dau Dau Head Wife Dau Dau Dau Gdau Head Wife Dau Dau Dau Head Wife Head Son DinLw Gdau Vstr Head Wife Son Son Son Son Son Dau Head Wife Head Sistr Nphw Brdr Brdr Nece Head Wife Son Dau Vstr Vstr FinLw Head Wife Brdr Head Wife Stpsn Son Dau Dau Head Wife Son Son Son Son Head Wife Spn Son Dau Head Head Wife Son Son Son Dau Dau Head Wife Dau Head Wife Vstor Head Wife Vstor Head Wife Dau Vstor Nurse Head Wife Sistr Nce Nphw Head Wife Head Bro Head Wife Stpsn Stpdr Head Sister Son Head Wife Son Dau Head Wife Son Head Son Svt Head Wife Stpdr Head Dau Son Dau Head Wife Dau Dau Vstr Vstr Svt Svt Svt Svt

59 59 22 20 37 26 29 41 36 20 48 45 25 21 18 11 8 38 41 1 54 9 39 33 32 22 18 29 27 1 41 40 6 38 34 35 32 26 24 21 6 57 49 20 18 15 8 37 33 11 8 1 60 28 29 27 2 37 34 3 21 60 58 43 39 8 5 1 62 60 28 38 73 70 16 50 49 25 23 69 42 27 25 15 43 45 17 16 13 11 30 27 0 28 21 48 15 15 10 34 38 4 27 27 87 74 59 33 38 19 8 82 73 75 48 41 77 73 41 43 10 8 66 57 53 37 42 39 24 19 38 36 10 32 28 9 8 7 5 1 49 48 17 47 50 51 22 16 18 27 5 65 64 31 27 21 18 57 56 23 16 13 51 37 77 37 40 2 74 65 60 27 22 19 17 16 13 53 55 48 46 20 50 47 6 66 64 24 23 20 4 86 31 28 20 41 45 21 16 10 8 56 56 29 19 16 13 29 29 2 1 0 48 47 48 20 15 13 10 7 64 64 29 43 44 42 56 58 45 37 25 0 27 33 49 16 47 27 1 70 68 47 79 70 49 54 56 33 19 52 58 11 35 28 5 3m 34 32 10 56 52 35 3 18 50 44 8 49 17 17 14 48 37 13 10 37 13 56 26 53 51

11 3 9 6 10 1 7 4 5 1 2 4 9 9 11 11 4 11 5 4 1 7 3 9 9 0 10 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 3 4 9 1 5 6 8 11 6 11 7 2 5 7 0 0 5 2 5 7 4 3 3 0 9 6 8 9 2 9 3 1 3 3 7 10 4 6 8 9 5 5 1 0 7 5 8 11 7 3 3 10 1 10 2 4 dk 3 4 9 11 3 3 2 6 9 9 7 2 6 6 6 11 4 6 6 3 0 10 4 6 6 5 6 1 7 3 7 2 10 7 4 4 5 0 1 0 9 9 5 0 2 5 10 11 3 6 7 6 6 6 9 8 1 10 7 3 11 4 11 11 11 8 2 8 4 5 5 7 7 5 3 2 10 9 10 3 9 10 7 6 1 10 4 6 8 9 3 1 9 1 7 6 2 1 5 8 5 4 0 6 6 5 2 5 2 1 1 3 6 7 11 0 6 7 6 0 8 1 6 6 7 8 11

M M M M S S S S S S M M S S S S S M M S W S S S S S S M M S M M S M M M M S S S S M M S S S W S M M S S M M S S M M M M S S S M M S S M M S M M S S W W M M S M F S S S S M M S M M M S S S M M S S S M M W S W S S W W W S W M M M S S W S S M M S S S M M S M M S S S S S M M S S M M S S S S S M M S S S S M M S S S M M W M M S S M M S S S S S S M M M S S S S S M M S D S D W M M S M M S S S S M M S S S S M M S S S M M M S S S S S M M S M M S M M S M M S S W W S S S S M M M M S S M S S M M S W S S S M M

Sheffield Exmouth, Devon London London Toronto, Canada Pulborough, S-sex Ireland Invernesshire Holm, Yorkshire Kings Walden Ardeley, Herts Watton, Herts Ardeley, Herts Ardeley, Herts Preston Preston Preston Surrey Doraston, Salop St Ippollitts Hitchin Ippollitts, Herts Islington, London Aston, Herts Suffolk Ravenglass, Cumb. Leighton Buzzard Cambridge, Cambs Hitchin Hitchin Preston Preston Preston Pirton, Herts Hertingfordbury Hrts Herts Cambs Cambs Cambs Cambs Ippollitts Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Offley, Herts Langley, Herts Langley, Herts Langley, Herts Langley, Herts Langley, Herts Co Tipperary, Irelnd Kings Walden Ippollitts Preston Preston Gateshead, Durham Melbourne, Australia Preston Offley, Herts Crowsboro, Sussex Hurst 5 Point S-sex Orgood, Lancs Warrington, Lancs Britton Ferry, Glam Pendrith, Lancs Pendrith, Lancs Preston Kings Walden Preston Preston Hitchin Hitchin Hitchin Preston Ledbury, Herefdshire Preston Preston Preston Kings Walden Kings Walden Preston Kings Walden Cobham, Surrey Crewkerne, S-set Bury St Edmnds, Sufk Stourmarket, Derbys Sutton Hill, Derbys Broughton, Derbys Kings Walden Birmingham Nr Welwyn, Herts Hitchin Stapleford, Notts Paddington, London Willesden, London Willesden, London Willesden, London Westbourne, Sussex Westbourne, Sussex Preston West Horsley, Surrey Albury, Surrey Preston Preston Kings Walden Newton Toney Hitchin Kings Walden Hitchin Preston St Ippollitts Preston Preston Preston Hitchin Whitwell Sussex Preston Burgess Hill, Sussex Burgess Hill, Sussex Kings Walden Clifton, Beds Clifton, Beds Godalming, Surrey Preston Preston Battersea, London New Southgate, Lndn Hill End, Hitchin Welwyn, Herts Preston Essex Ley Green, Herts Kings Walden Kings Walden Kings Walden Preston Preston Grt Harrowden, Nrthts Teddington, M-sex Kings Walden Earls Barton, Nrthnts Preston Kings Walden Preston Preston Preston Kings Walden Preston Haynes, Beds Weston, Beds Preston Preston Preston Stevenage, Herts Clifton, Beds Beds Clifton, Beds Clifton, Beds Clifton, Beds Wheathamstead, Hrts Wheathamstead, Hrts Hatfield, Essex Preston Tottenham, London Preston Hatfield, Essex Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston St Ippollitts St Ippollitts St Ippollitts St Ippollitts Preston Battersea, London Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Colney Heath Herts Preston St Hallingbury, Essex Grateley, Hants Kentish Town, London Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Kings Walden Preston Langley Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Kings Walden Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston Esher, Surrey Brixton, London Brixton, London Brixton, London Co Dublin Thetford, Norfolk London St Ippollitts, Herts Luton, Beds Preston Luton, Beds Baldock, Herts Preston Preston Preston Preston Clapton, London Hitchin Kings Walden Herts Stondon, Beds Hitchin Herts Kings Walden Kings Walden Welwyn, Herts Preston Baldock, Herts Baldock, Herts London Islington, London Ippolitts Ippolitts Ippolitts Mendlesham, Suffolk Ippollitts Herts Sale, Cheshire Lancashire Preston Ippollitts Chillington, Sussex Walton on Thames, Sr Preston Preston Preston Preston Preston London Dover Court, Essex South Mimms, M-sex South Mimms, M-sex Hove, Sussex London London St Pauls Walden, Hrts Caversham, Berks Horsham, Sussex

Director of companies HW Engineer HW Tea merchant Engineer Major RAF Parlourmaid Parlourmaid Agricultural labourer HW Domestic servant Agricultural labourer Agricultural labourer School School Carpenter and joiner School Cowman HW Coachman HW Farm labourer H/W Farm labourer House boy Gardener School Ploughman HW School School Ag labourer Ag labourer Farm labourer HW Estate agent HW General dom svt Building Foreman HW Poultry farmer HW School School Farm labourer H/W Tinsmith Post woman Farm labourer Garage labourer Horseman Labourer Grocers assistant Estate Labourer Estate Labourer HW Lorry drivers mate Game keeper Gardener Gardener School School Farm labourer HW Book binding HW HW Gardener’s help At Service School Gamekeeper HW Bricklayer Bricklayer No occupation Roadman Gardener HW Gardener School Labourer HW Farm Labourer Farm labourer Farm Labourer Tailor Lorry Driver Shop keeper Poultry farming Bricklayer HW HW Servant Engineer Cowman Poultry woman Farm Labourer HW School School School School Publican Engineer School Teacher Labourer HW Wd cutting mchinist Gardening School School Baker Dressmaker HW Baker’s assistant Shorthand typist HW Game Keeper Licensed victualler HW Poultry farmer HW Total disablement HW Farm labourer Out of work Gardener General labourer Farm labourer School Roadman HW Labourer HW Keeper Labourer Woodman Scholar Farm labourer, HW Assistant gardener Assistant gardener Baker Police constable HW Probation constable Horsekeeper HW Warehouse man Poultry mans assnt School School Farm labourer HW Farm labourer Farm labourer Farm labourer School Engine Driver HW Farm labourer Farm labourer HW Farm labourer School School School School Poultry farming HW Assisting father None HW None Retired army officer Cattle dealer Nanny governess Hospital nurse Horsekeeper Coal carman HW Day girl OAPensioner HW Farmer Ag Labourer Gardener Domestic Servant Poultry farmer General servant Estate electrician General Ag Labourer General Ag Labourer Lieut Col Irish Guards Nurse, Chauffeur Groom House keeper

D Vickers, Home Farm The Wick, Stevenage D Vickers, Home Farm D Vickers, Home Farm D Vickers, Temple Dinsley H Seebohm, Poyndrs End H Seebohm, Poyndrs End H Seebohm, Poyndrs End HW H Seebohm, Poyndrs End H Seebohm, Poyndrs End W Hawkins, Stagenhoe Prk D Vickers, Temple Dinsley D Vickers, Temple Dinsley D Vickers, Temple Dinsley H Seebohm, Poynders End D Vickers, Temple Dinsley D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Home Farm - D Vickers Hertford Works, Hitchin Preston Post Office White Hall, Kings Walden Kings Walden Bury Mjr Harrison, KW Bury Frost and Carter Halsey Market Plce, Hitchin Mjr Harrison, KW Bury D Vickers, Temple Dinsley D Vickers, Temple Dinsley (Mother dead) Mjr Harrison, Kings W Bury Mjr Harrison, Kings W Bury Mjr Harrison, Kings W Bury Mjr Harrison, Frogmore N Herts Co-op, Letchworth D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Mjr Harrison, K Walden Bury Frost and Carter, Builders Frost and Carter, Builders Herts County Council D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Mr Priestley, Tatmore Place Own account D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Alfred Brown, K Walden JB Priestley, Tatmore Place Own account Temple Dinsley Own account School School Own account Frost and Carter, (Builders) Morris, Letchworth, Herts D Vickers, Home Farm D Vickers, Home Farm D Vickers, Home Farm Own account A Oliver, Wandon’s E, Luton Herts, CC, Preston D Vickers, Temple Dinsley WJ Barkers Joinery Works D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Spirilla Co., Letchworth Own account Father D Vickers, Temple Dinsley Own account At home D Vickers, Temple Farm Temple Dinsley Frost and Carter, Luton JC Priestley, Tatmore Place Herts CC JC Priestley, Tatmore Place D Vickers, Temple Dinsley JC Priestley, Tatmore Place D Vickers, Temple Dinsley D Vickers, Temple Dinsley HW H Seebohm, Poynders End H Seebohm, Poynders End William James, C Heath Herts C Constabulary Herts C Constabulary D Vickers Halsey and Son, Grocers Mr Corbett, Preston. Hitchin UDC Preston Hill End Farm D Vickers, Home Farm Mjr Curling, Offley Holes Fm Own account The Elms, Luton 38 Walsworth Rd, Hitchin Wilfred Day, K Walden Frank Freeman, Gosmore Wilfred Day, K Walden Farm lbr unable to work Thos Armstrong, Hill Farm D Vickers, Temple Dinsley W Payne, Dentist, Hitchin At Crunnells Green D Vickers Home Farm Preston Home Farm, Preston

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Note: There are boarders in the village who are brick-layers - probably working on the new council houses being built along the north side of Chequers Lane. The census included only a few precise details of exactly where families were living in the village. - many were described simply as being in Preston. However, by checking the 1911 census, the electoral roll for 1920 and the School Register for the years around 1921, it has been possible to be a little more exact about the location of households.