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Hugo’s Toy Theatre

The Skelts - Family History

? Skelt	=	?
	Martin Skelt (b. abt1781 d. 1849)	= (1805)			Mary Shipwright (b. abt 1786)
		Matt’w Skelt (b1806 d180?)
		Matthew Skelt (b1810)		= ( 1835)			Eliz Wilson (Died 1837)
		= (1839)				Caroline Radburn
		Sophia Skelt (b1814)
		Edmund Skelt (b1820)	= (Q4 1840)				Margaret Schofield
		Benjamin Skelt (b1817)			= (Q4 1849)			Emma Greatrex (b. abt 1826)
					Ebenezer Skelt (b1846)			=	Nora Thompson

I have in my possession MW Stone’s personal history of the Juvenile Drama, in which he includes a short description of the Skelt family history as compiled by Ralph Thomas. As Ralph Thomas was alive at the time of the Skelts, I place more credence behind his explanation of the various Skelts than many others derived from later sources. This is what Ralph Thomas said:-

There were four Skelts. M (I believe Mathew) first started. He took another into partnership, and their prints are published by M&M Skelt. Then one of the M’s left and the prints again appear as published by M Skelt. The M took a B (Benjamin) into partnership and their prints are published by M&B Skelt. Later B alone published, but he, I presume, “bust up” like the explosion in the “Miller and his Men”, but then we have some salvage from the general wreck, published by E Skelt, without any address. … E Skelt is said to have died about 1890 in a good situation.

George Speaight in his book “The History of the English Toy Theatre - 1969” differed slightly from Ralph Thomas’s view and explained the chronology of the “Skelt” family thus:-

1835-1872 11 (17) Swan St, Minories

A family business. According to A How Mathews, the succession was as follows (this differed slightly from the arrangement given by Ralph Thomas):-

M Skelt (Martin, the founder, a showmaker) 1835-c.1837

M&M Skelt (Martin & Matthew, his brother) c.1837-1840

M&B Skelt (Matthew & his uncle Ben) 1840-1850 in 1850 Matthew died.

B Skelt 1850-1862 in 1862 Ben died in Stepney Workhouse.

E Skelt (Ebenezer, son of Ben. Died 1913) 1862-1872

Most of George Speaight’s findings came through discussions and correspondence with A How Mathews in the 1930s. This was nearly 100 years after the actual events happened and it is believed that, although based on known facts, the actual detail was far less reliable.

I have researched the Skelts through the available historical resources of Church Records, Census Returns, Trade Directories and the Sun Fire Office Records and I think Ralph Thomas was closer to the truth, with just the starting point being Martin rather than Matthew. I give my findings below:-

The Skelts:-

Martin Skelt was born about 1781 in London. Beyond that I know nothing more of Martin Skelt’s origins. The 1841 Census Return showed him to be 60 years of age, however it should be noted that the ages given on the 1841 Census were rounded to the nearest 5 year interval, so an age of 60 meant he could be anywhere between 56 and 64, as enumerators were not very consistent in whether they rounded up or down.

Parish Records, especially those for St Botolph without Aldgate have been very helpful in identifying Martin and his children. The subsequent census returns and the discovery of Martin Skelt’s last will and testament offer strong corroboration for these events; so strong reliance can be placed on these records.

PARISH RECORDS

“Westminster, St George Hanover Square”

1805 - Martin Skelt = Mary Shipwright

“St Marylebone”

Mattw Skelt, son of Martin Skelt and his wife Mary

Born 16^th April 1806

Christened 27^th April 1806

(Believed to have died shortly afterwards)

There was a gap of some 4 years before we find another baptism to Martin & Mary Skelt. It maybe that at least one child was born in the interval and christened at another church for which I haven’t yet searched the records for. A couple of miles separated this four-year break in the completeness of the records and I picked up the trail once more in Aldgate.

“St Botolph without Aldgate”

Matthew Skelt, son of Martin Skelt and his wife Mary

Born 6^th March 1810

Christened 17^th June 1810

(It was common in the 18^th & 19^th Centuries for infants to die and the next child born to be given the same name, however it would complete the investigation if we could confirm the death of the first Matthew Skelt.)

Sophia Skelt, daughter of Martin Skelt and his wife Mary

Born 22^nd May 1814

Christened 19^th April 1818

Benjamin Skelt, son of Martin Skelt and his wife Mary

Born 26^th November 1817

Christened 19^th April 1818 (with Sophia)

Edmund Skelt, son of Martin Skelt and his wife Mary

Born 13^th April 1820

Christened 12^th November 1820

“Westminster, St George Hanover Square”

1835 - Math Skelt = Eliz Wilson

So from the above we can see that Martin Skelt (snr) had at least three sons; Matthew, Benjamin and Edmund. I strongly believe that there was another son called Martin. From these records and the others that I have found I now believe the Skelts to have the following chronology:-

M Skelt (Martin Skelt or Matthew Skelt – trading from c1827 to 1832)

I suspect in this very early period very little theatre related work was produced. From a record of the “Sun Fire Office” on 1^st November 1827 there was insured at 11 Swan Street, Minories, a certain Martin Skelt; boot & shoe maker and dealer in print stationery and grindery. The same details appear again on 1^st December 1830. This would concur with Speaight’s theory that Martin Skelt was indeed a shoemaker, who turned his hand to “woodcut” engraving between the years of 1835 to 1837 and later to copperplate printing. However, I strongly believe that “M Skelt” started engraving and printing toy theatre sheets some time before 1835 and possibly as early as 1830. If we look at some of the works produced under this imprint, we see productions that appeared on the real stage in the early 1830s’. One fine example is “Jonathan Bradford”, for which a toy theatre version was produced by Green in 1833. Skelt’s version was a ½d copy of Green’s 1d version and is almost identical in nearly every detail. (It was common for ½d copies to be made from 1d originals around this time – as Green’s version was the 1d version, therefore Skelts was the ½d copy.) It was most likely that Skelt produced his copy at around the same time as Green, so 1833 would be a better starting date. The imprint for Skelt’s version of Jonathan Bradford was “M Skelt, 11 Swan St, Minories, London”. If this ½d production was a later copy, this would suggest a date nearer to 1840, but I will continue to search for more information. Green also produced a halfpenny proscenium in 1834. This was probably a copy of M Skelt’s 1d proscenium, showing again that M Skelt may have been in business sometime before 1835.

M&M Skelt (Martin & Matthew Skelt 1832 to 1836)

According to the “Sun Fire Office” records on 26^th of April 1832 Martin had been joined by Matthew Skelt, presumably his son. Their trade was listed as “copper plate printers, dealers in prints, stationery and fancy ornament makers”. The same details appear again for Matthew and Martin Skelt on 6^th May 1835. By 17^th May 1837 the records show just Martin Skelt at 11 Swan Street and as a copper plate printer.

So around 1832 Martin was joined by Matthew, whom Speaight thought was possibly Martin’s brother. It was far more likely that Matthew was Martin’s son, born in 1810. Matthew married Eliz Wilson in 1835 and probably struck out on his own so as to support his new wife and the family to come. This could be the explanation of why the “Sun Fire Office” records show Martin Skelt to be on his own by 17^th May 1837.

There is an extra record from the “Sun Fire Office” for 1832, which is worth a mention. At 8 Back Lane on the corner of Charles Street, was an insured chandler, by the name of Martin Skelt. The record goes on to state that “other property or occupiers” were at : 11 Swan Street, Minories (Skelt junr, copper plate printer). This would indicate that it was a son of Martin Skelt that was the copper plate printer, presumably Mathew Skelt, but it is possible there was another son, called Martin, and possibly there were two Martin Skelts at this time. So Speaight may have been right afterall and that Matthew and Martin were brothers, with their father Martin Skelt, a chandler of 8 Back Lane on the corner of Charles Street.

This idea is further supported by the discovery of a burial record for a Martin Skelt, on 29^th December 1836 at St Botolph, Aldgate. His address was given as Swan St and his age was 29, therefore being born about 1807.

M Skelt (Martin Skelt 1837 to 1840)

As we can see from the records of the “Sun Fire Office”, that a Martin Skelt was once again on his own sometime between 1835 and 1837. By the 1841 Census he had been joined by another of his sons, Benjamin.

M&B Skelt (Martin & Benjamin Skelt 1841 to 1850)

According to Speaight, Martin was believed to have died in 1840 when Matthew took up with his uncle Benjamin. However the 1841 Census Return disproves this theory. Martin was alive and well in 1841 and living at 11 Swan Street, Minories (the ususal imprint address) and more importantly his son Benjamin was living with him (a 23 year old “Printer”). So M&B Skelt was far more likely to have been Martin and his son Benjamin. The find of Martin Skelt’s Will, shows that Matthew was still alive in 1844, so perhaps he struck out on his own. A search of the 1851 Census finds him as a 41 year old, widowed “Barge Builder” at 15 Vauxhall Terrace in Lambeth. His place of birth was given as the Strand, Middlesex and he was of the right age, so this is highly likely to be the correct Matthew Skelt.

Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St Dionis in the County of London
Date	Names	Age	Condition	Occupation	Abode	Father	Father’s Occupation
11^th Feb	Matthew Skelt	Full Age	Widower	Engraver	Lime Street	Martin Skelt	Shoemaker
1839	Caroline Radburn	Full Age	Spinster	Dressmaker	Lime Street	Robert Radburn	Lighterman

Sadly, it appears that Matthew’s second wife Caroline, died just one year later and was buried on 20^th February 1840 at St Mary Newington, aged 27 years.

Census Extract 1841

HO107-725-6 - Folio 12 - Page 16

11 Swan Street, Minories, City of London

Name	Age	Occupation	Born in same county
Martin Skelt	60	Printer	Yes
Mary Skelt	55		Yes
Benjamin Skelt	23	Printer	No

The Kelly’s Directory for London in 1841 has the following entry “Skelt Martin & Benj. Printers & Publishers. 11 Swan Street, Minories”. This entry is repeated in the 1846 Directory

Searches in the archives have uncovered Martin Skelt’s last Will and Testament. This was dated 18^th June 1844 and was proved on 18^th January 1850. Death index records show a Martin Skelt dying in the December quarter 1849, in East London. The will reads as follows and is transcribed below:-

Transcript of Martin Skelt’s last Will & Testament dated 18^th June 1844 and proved on 18^th January 1850 in London.

I, Martin Skelt of Swan Street, Minories in the city of London, Copper Plate Printer, do make my last Will & Testament as follows (that is to say). First. I direct after payment of all my just debts, funeral expenses and the costs and charges of the proving this my will. I give unto my son Matthew Skelt the sum of twenty pounds. I give to my son Edmund Skelt the sum of twenty pounds. I give unto my son Benjamin Skelt my leasehold house in which I now reside for the residue of my term and interest therein paying the rent and performing the covenants assessed and contained in the said lease and also my stock in trade furniture and all the rest and residual of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever for his own use and benefit and I so hereby nominate and appoint my son Benjamin Skelt Executor of this my Will hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made and declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament. In with of where of I have here unto set my hand this eighteenth day of June in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four = Martin Skelt = signed by the above named testator Martin Skelt as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us (both present at the same time who in his ??? presence and in the presence of ??? have hereunto oath other subscribe our names as witnesses = W L Howell ??? 40 Ratcliff Highway = Arthur A Walter his clerk.

Proved at London 18^th January 1850 before the worshipful William Galverley Curtis, Portor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Benjamin Skelt the son the sole executor to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

This shows that Martin had three sons Matthew, Edmund and Benjamin that were alive in 1844. Although Matthew was the eldest he did not acquire the residue of his father’s estate. This was left to Benjamin, including all Martin’s “stock in trade”. Perhaps this was because Benjamin was the only one of his sons inclined to keep the business going at the time the will was made or because both Matthew & Edmund were already self-sufficient by this time.

B Skelt (Benjamin Skelt 1851 to 1862)

Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St Anne, Limehouse in the County of Middlesex
Date	Names	Age	Condition	Occupation	Abode	Father	Father’s Occupation
21^st Oct	Benjamin Skelt	Full Age	Bachelor	Engraver / Printer	Limehouse	Martin Skelt	Engraver / Printer
1849	Emma Sarah Greatrex	Full Age	Spinster		Limehouse	? Henry Greatrex	Deceased

Witnesses to the above marriage were Edmund Skelt and Margaret Skelt.

Again according to Speaight Matthew Skelt died in 1850, but now we know this to be Martin. Benjamin then had to strike out on his own. The plates with B Skelt’s imprint stopped appearing in 1862 and it was suggested by Speaight that Benjamin died in Stepney Workhouse in 1862. However Benjamin was still an inmate of the workhouse in 1871 and was described as a 54 year old “Copperplate Printer”. He died in the March Quarter of 1881 aged 63 at the Whitechapel Union Workhouse (Reference Whitechapel 1c 236)

Why did Benjamin stop in 1862, when we still find him alive as late as 1881. It appears that his wife, Emma, died in the September quarter of 1862 at Mile End (1c-407), was this enough for Benjamin to quit and hand over to E Skelt. It appears so!

Census Extract 1851

HO107-1524 Folio 275 - Page 9

11 Swan Street, Minories, City of London

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Benjamin Skelt	Head	33	Printer	City of London
Emma Skelt	Wife	25		City of London
Charles Skelt	Son	1		City of London
Emily ?	Serv	15?	Domestic Servant	Surrey

There was no sign of an Ebenezer the supposed son of Benjamin as Speaight would have us believe?

The Kelly’s Directory for London in 1852 has the following entry “Skelt B. Publisher & Printer. 11 Swan Street, Minories”. The entries for 1856 and 1859 for 17 Swan St, Minories were shown as “Skelt Benjamin, Printer &c” It would appear that number 11 had already been demolished to make way for the new underground railway, which was finished in the early 1860’s.

Census Extract 1871

RG10-515 Folio 89 - Page 8

Whitechapel Union Workhouse, Stepney, London

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Benjamin Skelt	Inmate (widower)	54	Copper-plate Printer	Aldgate

E Skelt (Edmund Skelt 1862 to 1872)

Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St George in the County of Middlesex
Date	Names	Age	Condition	Occupation	Abode	Father	Father’s Occupation
13^th Dec	Edmund Skelt	Minor	Bachelor	Copper Plate Printer Engraver	11 Swan Street, Minories	Martin Skelt	Copper Plate Printer
1840	Margaret Schofield	Full Age	Spinster	Dressmaker	24 New Street, Whitechapel	James Schofield	? Cooper

Benjamin Skelt was witness to the above marriage.

Unfortunately the 1861 Census for the Minories area of London is virtually unreadable, so I have been unable to locate either the Skelt’s or Swan Street in this area. George Speaight in his discussions with How Mathews assumed that E Skelt was Ebenezer Skelt. I am not so sure. I have found only one Ebenezer Skelt on the 1861 census and subsequent censuses, however he is never referred to as a printer, but as an ironmonger. Ebenezer, was probably related to the Skelt’s as there were so few Skelts in London at this time, but I doubt he took over the printing business from 1862 to 1872.

The Kelly’s Directory for 1869 finds the following entry “Skelt, Edmund, engraver, 2 Stepney Old Road E”

Census Extract 1861

RG9-294 Folio 53 - Page 9

5 Beaumont Square, Stepney, Middlesex

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Maria Skelt	Head	46	House Proprietor	Middlesex, Stepney
George Skelt	Son	20	Bookbinder	Middlesex, Stepney
Ebenezer Skelt	Son	14	Scholar	Middlesex, Stepney
Joseph Skelt	Son	9		Middlesex, Stepney
Lillian Davis	Lodger	50	Household Duties	Middlesex, Whitechapel

E Skelt was far more likely to be Martin Skelt’s remaining son, Edmund. Yet again the census comes up trumps and shows Edmund to be a “Copper Plate Printer & Engraver” in 1861 at Limehouse, Tower Hamlets. More importantly he is shown as a “Theatrical Publisher” on the 1871 Census and in the right part of town.

Census Extract 1861

RG9-287 Folio 23 - Page 12

3 Kings Place, Limehouse, Tower Hamlets

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Edmund Skelt	Head	40	Copper Plate Printer & Engraver	St Geo East, London
Margaret Skelt	Wife	41		St Geo East, London
Martin Skelt	Son	17	?	St Geo East, London
Benjamin Skelt	Son	12	Scholar	St Geo East, London

(Edmund Skelt married Margaret Schofield in the fourth quarter of 1840 (St George in the East 2-36)

Census Extract 1871

RG10-550 Folio ? - Page 12

2 Rhodeswell Road, St Anne Limehouse, Tower Hamlets

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Edmund Skelt	Head	51	Theatrical Publisher	City of London
Margaret Skelt	Wife	52		St Catherines Parish (Deaf)
Martin Skelt	Son	27	Print Engraver	Stepney, Middlesex

(I have seen one plate by E Skelt with the imprint address given as 7 Lion Place, Old Road, Stepney, but as yet I do not know whether this was before or after the 1871 Census.)

The Ebenezer Skelt found earlier had moved away from the Stepney/Tower Hamlets area of London by 1871 and was an Ironmonger’s Assistant in Leyton, confirming my earlier thoughts.

By 1881 Edmund too had given up on the toy theatre and print selling, as on the 1881 Census he was shown as a “Porter”. No longer a “Theatrical Publisher” and now living in Clerkenwell at the age of 61, with his wife Margaret. Records show that Edmund died aged 72 in Holborn in 1892. With his death ended the Skelt Toy Theatre publishing dynasty.

However the name of Skelt was rekindled in the first half of the 20^th century through the name of G Skelt.

So it would seem that Ralph Thomas was so nearly correct in his suppositions, as I said early, with only his starting point to be wrong. It would seem that A How Mathews version of events followed what he considered to be the pattern of the imprints in his possession. Maybe these were limited or just maybe his memory wasn’t quite as good as it once was, either way, he did miss the mark albeit by a small margin.

G Skelt (George Wood/Cornetta/Skelt 19?? To 1956)

George Skelt was born in 1881, but he was not a Skelt. He was actually born George Wood and later changed his name to George Cornetta and lived on the island of Jersey. He took on the name of Skelt probably in an effort to make his numerous “copied” plays appear to be more genuine and more recognisable as “Skeltery”. Nonetheless G Skelt helped to keep the toy theatre going in his own small way. Although he produced few copies of his work, he did generate a wide range of items. The characters for his plays were nearly all copied direct from the great names of the past, however he did create a multitude of larger scenes and with a certain degree of flair. I will try to find out more about him at a later date.

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Just for completeness, I have shown all my findings below in chronological order:-

Date	Event	Location	Names	Source	Likely Imprint
5 May 1805	Marriage	St George, Hanover Square, Westminster	Martin Skelt = Mary Shipwright	Parish Records	N/A
16 Apr 1806 27 Apr 1806	Birth Baptism	St Marylebone	Mattw Skelt, son of Martin & Mary Skelt	Parish Records	N/A
6 Mar 1810 17 Jun 1810	Birth Baptism	St Botolph without Aldgate	Matthew Skelt, son of Martin & Mary Skelt	Parish Records	N/A
22 May 1814 19 Apr 1818	Birth Baptism	St Botolph without Aldgate	Sophia Skelt, daughter of Martin & Mary Skelt	Parish Records	N/A
26 Nov 1817 19 Apr 1818	Birth Baptism	St Botolph without Aldgate	Benjamin Skelt, son of Martin & Mary Skelt	Parish Records	N/A
13 Apr 1820 12 Nov 1820	Birth Baptism	St Botolph without Aldgate	Edmund Skelt, son of Martin & Mary Skelt	Parish Records	N/A
1 Nov 1827	Insured	11 Swan Street, Minories	Martin Skelt, Boot & Shoe maker & dealer in print stationery and grindery	Sun Fire Office MS11936/512/1067470	M Skelt
1 Dec 1830	Insured	11 Swan Street, Minories	Martin Skelt, Boot & Shoe maker & dealer in print stationery and fancy ornament maker	Sun Fire Office MS11936/525/1115433	M Skelt
26 Apr 1832	Insured	1 Swan Street, Minories	Matthew & Martin Skelt, Copper plate printers, dealers in Prints, Stationery and Fancy Ornaments Makers	Sun Fire Office MS11936/530/1141001	M&M Skelt
26 Apr 1832	Insured	8 Back Lane, corner of Charles Street	Martin Skelt, Chandler Other Property: 11 Swan Street, Minories (Skelt junr. Copper Plate Printer	Sun Fire Office MS11936/530/1141002	M&M Skelt
23 Aug1835	Marriage	St George, Hanover Square, Westminster	Matthew Skelt = Elizabeth Wilson	Parish Records	M&M Skelt
6 May 1835	Insured	11 Swan Street, Minories	Matthew & Martin Skelt, Copper plate printers, dealers in Prints, Stationery and Fancy Ornaments. Other Property: 7 Upper Chapman St, Cannon St Road	Sun Fire Office MS11936/543/1199157	M&M Skelt
29 Dec 1836	Burial	St Botolph, Aldgate	Martin Skelt, aged 29 of Swan St	Parish Records	M&M Skelt
17 May 1837	Insured	11 Swan Street, Minories	Martin Skelt, Copper plate printer	Sun Fire Office MS11936/555/1252060	M Skelt
3 Oct 1837	Burial	St Botolph, Aldgate	Elizabeth Skelt, aged 23 of Swan St (probably Matthew Skelt’s wife).	Parish Records	M Skelt
Q3 1837	Death	St Geo in the East 2 158	Elizabeth Skelt, possibly first wife of Matthew Skelt	GRO index	M Skelt
Q3 1839	Marriage	City of London 2 83	Matthew Skelt = ?	GRO index	M Skelt
11 Feb 1839	Marriage	St Dionis, London	Matthew Skelt = Caroline Radburn	Parish Marriage Record	M Skelt
25 Dec 1839	Death	St Geo in the East 2 73	Matthew Skelt, son of Matthew Skelt, Printer. Died aged 1month and 5 days, of convulsions. Informant of Death = Matthew Skelt of 4 Kings Place.	GRO index / Death Cert.	M Skelt
Q1 1840	Death	Newington 2_5	Caroline Skelt,
Q4 1840	Marriage	St Geo in the East 2 36	Edmund Skelt = Margaret Schofield	GRO index	M Skelt
13 Dec 1840	Marriage	St George	Edmund Skelt = Margaret Schofield	Parrish Marriage Record	M Skelt
1841	Directory	11 Swan St, Minories	Martin & Benj Skelt, Printers & Publishrs	Kelly’s PO Directory	M&B Skelt
30 Jun 1841	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Martin Skelt, 60, Printer	1841 Census	M&B Skelt
30 Jun 1841	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Mary Skelt, 55	1841 Census	M&B Skelt
30 Jun 1841	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Benjamin Skelt, 23, Printer	1841 Census	M&B Skelt
18 May 1844	Burial	St Botolph, Aldgate	Mary Skelt, aged 62 of Swan St	Parish Records	M&B Skelt
18 Jun 1844	Will	Swan St, Minories	Martin Skelt, last will & testament (written) Mentioning three sons, Matthew, Benjamin & Edmund.	Wills	M&B Skelt
1846	Directory	11 Swan St, Minories	Martin & Benj Skelt, Prints & Publishs	Kelly’s PO Directory	M&B Skelt
13 Dec 1849	Burial	St Botolph, Aldgate	Martin Skelt, aged 70 of 11 Swan St, Minories	Parish Records	B Skelt
Q4 1849	Death	East London 2 158	Martin Skelt	GRO index	B Skelt
Q4 1849	Marriage	Stepney 2 484	Benjamin Skelt = Emma Sarah Greatrex	GRO index	B Skelt
21 Oct 1849	Marriage	St Anne Limehouse	Benjamin Skelt = Emma Sarah Greatrex	Parish Marriage Record	B Skelt
18 Jan 1850	Will	Swan St, Minories	Martin Skelt, last will & testament (proved)	Wills	B Skelt
30 Mar 1851	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Benjamin Skelt, 33, Printer	1851 Census	B Skelt
30 Mar 1851	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Emma Skelt, 25 (wife of Benjamin Skelt)	1851 Census	B Skelt
30 Mar 1851	Census	11 Swan St, Minories	Charles Skelt, 1 (son of Benjamin Skelt)	1851 Census	B Skelt
30 Mar 1851	Census	15 Vauxhall Terrace, Lambeth	Matthew Skelt, 41, Widower, Barge Builder. Birth Place: The Strand.	1851 Census	B Skelt
1852	Directory	11 Swan St, Minories	B Skelt, Publisher & Printer	Kelly’s PO Directory	B Skelt
1859	Directory	17 Swan St, Minories	Benjamin Skelt, Printer &c	Kelly’s PO Directory	B Skelt
Apr 1861	Census	3 Kings Place, Limehouse	Edmund Skelt, 40, Copper-Plate Printer & Engraver	1861 Census	B Skelt
Apr 1861	Census	3 Kings Place, Limehouse	Margaret Skelt, 41	1861 Census	B Skelt
Apr 1861	Census	3 Kings Place, Limehouse	Martin Skelt, 17	1861 Census	B Skelt
Apr 1861	Census	3 Kings Place, Limehouse	Benjamin Skelt, 12, Scholar	1861 Census	B Skelt
Q3 1862	Death	Mile End 1c 407	Emma Skelt (most likely Benjamin’s wife)	GRO Index	B Skelt
1869	Directory	2 Stepney Old Road E	Edmund Skelt, Engraver	Kelly’s PO Directory	E Skelt
Apr 1871	Census	Whitechapel Workhouse, Stepney	Benjamin Skelt, 54, Copper-Plate Printer (Widower)	1871 Census	E Skelt
Apr 1871	Census	2 Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse	Edmund Skelt, 51, Theatrical Publisher	1871 Census	E Skelt
Apr 1871	Census	2 Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse	Margaret Skelt, 52 (deaf)	1871 Census	E Skelt
Apr 1871	Census	2 Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse	Martin Skelt, 27, Print Engraver	1871 Census	E Skelt
Apr 1881	Census	Clerkenwell	Edmund Skelt, 61, Porter	1881 Census	No More
Q1 1881	Death	Whitechapel 1c 236	Benjamin Skelt, 63	GRO index	No More
Q3 1892	Death	Holborn 1b 390	Edmund Skelt, 72	GRO index	No More

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More on Ebenezer Skelt (just for the record)

Census Extract 1881

Rg11-1726 Folio 105 - Page 45

Wallwood Road, Lilian Villa, Low Leyton, Essex

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Ebenezer Skelt	Head	34	Ironmonger	Stepney, Middlesex
Nora Skelt	Wife	34		Aldgate, Middlesex
Nora L Skelt	Daughter	8	Scholar	Leytonstone, Essex
Florence Skelt	Daughter	7	Scholar	Leytonstone, Essex
Ebenezer G Skelt	Son	3		Leytonstone, Essex
Ellen Baker	Serv	16	Domestic Servant	Stanstead, Essex
Emma Scillitor	Serv	16	Domestic Servant	Colne Earls, Essex

Census Extract 1891

RG12-1346 Folio 93 - Page 10

“Helesborough” Wallwood Road, Lilian Villa, Low Leyton, Essex

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Ebenezer Skelt	Head	44	Manager to Ironmongers Firm	Stepney, Middlesex
Nora Skelt	Wife	44		Whitechapel, Middlesex
Nora L Skelt	Daughter	18	Milliner’s Apprentice	Leytonstone, Essex
Florence M Skelt	Daughter	17	Milliner’s Apprentice	Leytonstone, Essex
Nellie L MacCall	Niece	17	Milliner’s Apprentice	Elsenham, Essex
Sarah A Alliston	Serv	20	General Servant Domestic	Manningtree, Essex

Census Extract 1901

RG13-1622 Folio 13 - Page 17

54 Wallwood Road, Lilian Villa, Low Leyton, Essex

Name	Relation to Head of Household	Age	Occupation	Where Born
Ebenezer Skelt	Head	54	Ironmonger	Stepney, Middlesex
Nora Skelt	Wife	54		Aldgate, Middlesex
Nora Skelt	Daughter	28		Leytonstone, Essex
Jane Noble	Servant	24	Domestic	Chigwell, Essex