Genealogical Notes

I am happy to report that I have recently been in contact with one of the descendant's of Matthew Packer. Here is the information on his family that he so generously provided to me:

Hi Karen,

I'll give you what info I have. No photos I'm afraid.

My Great, great aunt (Agnes Maud Packer), who lived with us til her death in 1984, remembered going to her grandad's shop (Matthew's shop) as a young girl, in Whitechapel, to get vegetables for Sunday lunch. She was born in 1890.

Now contrary to popular belief, he did have children by a first marriage/liaison with an Ann Purdey. If he didn't, I wouldn't be here to tell you the tale. At this point, I'll paste in my 'Matthew' genealogical notes.


Matthew Packer

Born Whitechapel, Middlesex in about 1829, he was nominally married to Ann Purdy, but I can find no record of this event. I do have a copy of his son, Thomas John’s, birth certificate however. On it, Ann Purdy is named as his mother.

Matthew married Rose Ann Wallis on 2nd Sept. 1867 (his 2nd wife) in the parish of St. James the great. I have a copy of the marriage certificate. At the time they lived in Bethnal Green. Elizabeth and John Packer were witnesses.

In 1841, Matthew (12) lived with his parents and siblings in St George The Martyr, Southwark.

In 1851, I can’t find him.

In 1861, Matthew (33 b.Whitechapel) lived with Ann (24 b.St Lukes, Middx) and their children Thomas (7 b. Spitalfields), Elizabeth (3 b. Beth. Green), and Louisa (3 months b. Beth. Green) at 4, Tapp Street, Bethnal Green. Matthews occupation is given as basket maker. At some point after this census, but before the next, Ann and Matthew split up. She marries Charles Ceely in 1870 and takes the children with her. He marries Rose Ann Wallis.

In 1871, Matthew (40) lived with Rose Ann (41 b. Maidstone, Kent) at 1, Princess Street, Whitechapel. His occupation is given as fishmonger.

In 1881, Matthew (50) is living with his wife, Rose (49) and step mother, Sarah Packer (54), at 25, Fairclough Street, St George In The East, Middlesex. His occupation is given as costermonger. Sarah is a former toymaker.

1891 finds Matthew and Rose living at 44, Bernere Street, St George In The East. He is now listed as a general dealer and the word ‘shop’ is written in faintly by the transcriber. Transcribed as ‘Matthew Backer’.

In 1901 Matthew and Rose still lived at 44 Berner Street, although now he is listed as having a fruit & sweet shop.

I'm descended from his son, Thomas. I've also written a short precis about Ann. Here 'tis:

Ann Purdy

According to the IGI, an Ann Purday was born 31 Jan 1837 at Saint Giles, Cripplegate, London, and christened 16 Jul 1837. Her parents are listed as Thomas and Ann Purday. Sounds like our girl.

She is Matthew Packers 1st wife, indeed, she had several Children with him, but I can find no official record of the marriage.

Now, in 1841, I found an Ann Purdy Jr (4) with her parents, Thomas (32) Ann (22), and her siblings, Sarah (2) and Harriet (8 months) at ‘Red Inn Place’, Finsbury. This ties in with my IGI findings.

In 1851, there is a 13 year old Ann Purdy listed as an inmate of ‘Bridewell Hospital House of occupations’ in Southwark, Surrey. This looks like our girl again.

In 1861, as I have already mentioned, Ann (24 b.St Lukes, Middx) lived with Matthew (33 b.Whitechapel) and their children Thomas (7 b. Spitalfields), Elizabeth (3 b. Beth. Green), and Louisa (3 months b. Beth. Green) at 4, Tapp Street, Bethnal Green. Matthews occupation is given as basket maker.

Through Carmel McMullen, I am in touch with Cyril and Veronica Ball in Brisbane. Cyril is a descendant of Elizabeth Ball née Packer. Elizabeth Packer was the daughter of Matthew Packer and Ann Purdy. Amongst family papers was the burial card for an Ann Ceely. This is Ann Purdy..

On FreeBMD is the marriage of Ann Purdy and Charles Ceely at Bethnal Green in 1870.

In 1871, after much searching, I found the Ceely family mistranscribed as Cely at 7 New Street, Bethnal Green. Ann, listed as Mary Ann (34 brush drawer), is living with Charles (33 b. City Of London, labourer in an iron works). All of Ann’s children by Matthew Packer are listed as Ceelys. Thomas (17 hawker), Elizabeth (14 work girl) and Louisa (10). Also listed at the address was Anne Sander (4 months, nurse child). Since ‘brush drawing’ (attaching bristles to brushes) was usually done at home, Ann would have been able to look after other peoples babies.

Ann Ceely died aged 41 in Bethnal Green 1879.

It appears that both Matthew and Ann have shady pasts. I'm sure the 'Bridewell' mentioned in Ann's notes was a remand institution in all but name.

Interestingly, Ann and Matthew's eldest child was married as Thomas Packer. Their daughter, Elizabeth, on the other hand, put her maiden name as Elizabeth Purdey on her marriage certificate.

Dan