The Law Family - The Story

Where I have found relevant birth certificates or marriage certificates, I have provided a link which will display a transcript of the certificate. (Watch for the word "born" or "married" being indicated as a link).

Can you fill in any further details?

To comment or to  provide additional information, please email me using the link below.

Andy McMenemy

Page views since 12th Sept. 2004:

First Generation

Parents unknown

James Law (b:1816 d:?)
+Sarah Osborn (b:1816 m:14/7/1832 d:?)

The earliest member of the Law family to which I have found reference so far is James. James came from the Cambridgeshire village of Croydon-cum-Clapton (now known as Croydon, just near Gamlingay). It is worth pointing out that there was quite a cluster of Law families in the vicinity but so far I have been unable to find the connection. Anyway, James married to a local girl, Sarah Osborn, on July 14th, 1832. In the 1841 Census returns James’ occupation was cited as "farmer" and his age was given as 25, as was that of Sarah. (This may be incorrect as adult ages were recorded to the nearest 5 years in the 1841 census, only children’s ages tended to be accurate).

James Law (b:1816 d:?)
. +Sarah Osborn (b:1816 m:14/7/1832 d:?)

David Law (b:/5/1833 d:?)
+Susan Wilkin (b:1831 m:? d:?)

Philip Law (b:1838 d:?)

Sarah Ann Law (b:/5/1840)

James and Sarah had a family (which is just as well, otherwise we wouldn’t be here!). The eldest child was David born in Croydon-cum-Clapton in May 1833. The second child was Martin born in September 1835, then came Philip in 1838, and Sarah Ann in May 1840.

David Law

David married Susan Wilkins daughter of William Wilkins, a local farmer. The marriage took place in the Parish Church at Croydon on October 24th 1850. Living in Great Eversden, David worked as farm bailiff in his early married life. By the time of the 1871 census David and Susan were living in a cottage in Stapleford. Ten years later, at the time of the 1881 Census they were living at "The Lodge" at Stapleford with several other families and David’s occupation was recorded as a farm labourer.

Martin Law

Martin also married. His wife was called Emma. Emma came from the nearby village of Arrington. Martin also moved from Croydon. The 1881 census shows Martin and Emma living in Little Eversden with their family, and Martin working as a labourer.

David Law (b:/5/1833 d:?)
+Susan Wilkin (b:1831 m:? d:?)

Philip John Law (b:12/9/1856 d:3/5/1904)
+Mary Ann Collison (b:29/11/1853 m:26/10/1889 d:16/12/1937)

James Law (b:1860)

Martin Law (b:1862)

Harry Law (b:1866)

Alice Law (b:1868)

Lucy Law (b:1871 d:?)
+George Hinkins (b:? m:? d:?)

David and Susan moved a few miles to Great Eversden where David took a job as a Farmer’s Bailiff. There, on September 12th 1856, Susan produced a son, Philip John born in September 1856. Subsequently, James, and Martin were also born at Great Eversden. After David and Susan had moved to Stapleford Harry was born in about 1866; Alice in 1868, and There may have been some further children in ensuing years, but the only other child I have identified was a daughter Lucy, born in 1870 or 71.

Philip John Law

Philip completed his certificates of education, attaining 4th Class in April 1878, and then became a brick maker. He was obviously the adventurous child. In October 1877 he signed up in the British Army for six years. He was assigned to an infantry brigade, the 60th Rifles stationed in Wakefield. He was described at the time as being 5 feet 4¾ inches tall with a 36 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. A year later, on 30th October 1878 Phillip embarked for India. On arriving in India he went to Afghanistan. He progressed well, receiving good conduct pay. While in Afghanistan he is believed to have taken part in General Robert’s march and relief of Kandahar. He was awarded the Afghan War Medal for Ahmed Khan and Kandahar and a bronze star.

In 1881 he was posted to South Africa where he was promoted to Lieutenant Corporal and then Corporal six months later. Interestingly he continued his education whilst in the army and in 1882 received his 3rd Class Certificate of Education. In October 1883 his enlistment ended and he became a member of the North London District of the army reserve. His army record shows him as being of very good character on transfer to the reserve. He completed his service in October 1889. Army life had obviously suited him; his height was recorded as 5 feet 5½ inches on discharge, ¾ inch taller than when he enlisted.

On March 3rd 1884, Philip was engaged at "The Times" as a pressman.

Philip left the army reserve. The same month on October 26th 1889 at the Sardinian Chapel in St Giles’ he married a widow, Mary Ann Heikal. Mary Ann was the daughter of Edward Collison, a printer. (See sidebar on the Collison family). She had been married to a Swiss gentleman who had subsequently been killed in a riding accident. Philip and Mary Ann lived at 19 Lamb’s Conduit Street at the time of the marriage. They did, however, move on and by the late 1890s were living at 105 Sturgeon Road, Walworth.

Tragically, on May 3rd 1904, Philip was found dead in the River Thames near Grosvenor Wharf. An inquest was held, but the cause of death was registered as death by drowning.

Though poor, Mary Ann managed to bring the family up working as a seamstress, making the seats for trousers for a company in Jermyn Street and taking in sewing.

James Law

Philip’s brother James stayed in Cambridgeshire at first. He was shown in the 1881 census as living with his parents at The Lodge and working as a farm labourer. I believe that subsequently he emigrated to Ingersoll in Ontario, but this has yet to be verified.

Harry Law

Little is known of Harry. However, he preceded Philip at "The Times", being engaged there in August 1880. According to the Compositor's Book (No. 2, 1874-1884), he had been introduced by the the Duchess of Leeds. At first sight this might seem strange, but examination of the Census for 1871 shows that the Duke of Leeds was the predominant land owner at Stapleford, where the Law family were living.

In July 1884, Harry is recorded as taking a prize of £2 for correct justification, averaging 41 minutes per column.

Alice Law

I have no information regarding Alice. However, I suspect she married a chap called Webb. This supposition is based on the fact that the 1881 Census shows a Lucy Webb living with the family of David and Susan, and identified as their granddaughter.

Lucy Law

Lucy was still at school in 1881. She grew up to marry a local chap George Hinkins. They didn’t have any children. Lucy and George ran a small farm and had a beer house called "The Shant" at Melbourne in Hertfordshire.

Martin Law (b:/9/1835 d:?)
+Emma (Law) (b:1831 m:? d:?)

Arthur Law (b:1863 d:?)

Emma Law (b:1865 d:?)

Jane Law (b:1868 d:?)

Agnes Law (b:1871 d:?)

The 1881 census shows that Martin and Emma had four children. Arthur was born 1863 in Great Eversden, and grew up to be a labourer. Emma was born in 1865 and became a teacher. Jane was born in 1868, and Agnes in 1871. All of the children were born in Great Eversden.

I’m afraid that I have no further information about this branch of the family or their descendants.

Philip John Law (b:12/9/1856 d:3/5/1904)
+Mary Ann Collison (b:29/11/1853 m:26/10/1889 d:16/12/1937)

Albert James Law (b:2/1/1892 d:1977)
+Florence Ellen Roe (b:26/4/1897 m:8/6/1919 d:20/12/1978)

Alice Law (b:20/1/1894 d:21/2/1977)
+Herbert O’Leary (b:? m:? d:?)

Ellen Law (b:2/6/1895)
+John Bann O’Hara (b:?)

Edith Mary Law (b:24/7/1898 d:24 July 1983)
+Ernest Roe (b:19/2/1902 m:27/9/1925 d:26/6/1988)

Philip and Mary’s first child was Albert James born January 2nd 1892.

Alice later known as Darney, was born January 20th 1894. Ellen was born June 6th ,1895. Edith Mary was the youngest, born July 24th 1898.

Albert James

Albert James was given an apprenticeship by "The Times". He worked for the paper throughout his career, retiring on 23rd December 1956. He is first recorded in The Compositor's Book (No.5 1900-1908) at "The Times" with the entry:

Aged 14. January 2nd 1906. Engaged to do miscellaneous work in the P.P.O.

and again:

April 20, 1906. Son of Law, the proofpuller now dead. Wages 10/- a week.

On June 8th 1919 he married Florence Ellen Roe at St Etheldreda’s.

On his retirement The Times House Journal published a summary of Bert's career and life:

With the retirement of Mr. Albert Law on the night of Sunday, December 23, yet another member of the Composing Department with at least 50 years' service has said au revoir to his colleagues.

What Mrs. Law, who accompanied her husband that evening, thought of the the traditionally deafening banging-out ceremony one can only imagine, but she must have felt justly proud of the warm tribute paid by the Imperial Father, Mr. J. Walker, to her husband's unstinted efforts through the years on behalf of the Times Auxiliary to the Printers' Pension Corporation and other trade organizations.

Mr. Walker, before handing Mr. Law the presentation from the Compositors' Chapel, said that Bert Law had an outstanding record of voluntary work and it was therefore natural that he should retire on the most distinguished day of the week - Sunday.

"Unlike the majority" he said, "Bert Law did not graduate to P.H.S. through the outside printing industry. In fact, in the years 1904-1905, at the age of 13, he was performing in a wild extravaganza of the day on the boards of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Unfortunately, he was barred from world touring and successfully applied for and 'audition' at the other great 'palace of varieties,' Printing House Square."

Mr. Walker then went on amusingly to describe how the young and diminutive Law was interviewed by the then Manager, and how, having successfully named four capital cities, he was recommended for training as a compositor.

The Imperial Father emphasized the high quality and great enthusiasm of what could only be called Law's "life's work" on behalf of our own Auxiliary to the Printers' pension Corporation, and also the Deal Home, and ended his remarks with seasonal good wishes from the Chapel to Bert and his wife., "and" he said as he shook Law's hand, "may your retirement bring to you and your wife long years of happiness and contentment."

Law, in a short reply, said he thanked the Chapel for their good wishes to himself and his wife, and personally he wanted to express his appreciation for everyone's support in all his efforts. He had done his best and had found the results very satisfying,. "I do hope,"  he concluded, "that you will give my successor on the committee of The Times Auxiliary, Ernest Beale, the same encouraging support that you have always given me."

Albert Law has indeed left behind him a remarkable record. His father and his uncle had already preceded him at P.H.S. when Law started as a boy in the Private Printing office, - which in those days was sited where now stands the Restaurant. within a few short moths Law was working on the old Kastenbein composing machines - "without a justifier," he says, with emphasis.

The office in 1905 was certainly in contrast with that of to-day. The cleaners were dressed in corduroy uniforms and many compositors wore high hats and frock coats. On arrival at the office at 9 o'clock in the morning each compositor used to wrap his silk hat in a silk scarf to keep the dust off, and then consign it to a special locker. The lighting system was part electric, part Wenham "gas illuminant," with stand-by candles in case of power failure. The First edition used to go to press after midnight. Apprentices under the age of 18 were given an annual outing by the Company to Riddlesdown, the journey being made by horse-brake with the whole party in the charge of Mr. Trobe McMullon, then tacitly recognized as being responsible for compositors' welfare.

Eager to learn his trade, the you Law attended printing classes first at Regent Street Polytechnic and later at the Aldenham Institute. The "Head" there was Mr. Amery, previously a compositor at P.H.S., who later distinguished himself at the Camberwell School of Arts and crafts.

During the Great War Law joined the Royal Naval Air Service as an air observer in kite balloons and served in the Mediterranean with an Australian destroyer flotilla.

In 1919 he returned to the office as a Day 'stab compositor, joining the Night ship shortly afterwards, transferring to Night Case in 1935. In 1938 Law returned to Day staff, where he remained for a period of 16 years, returning once again to Night Case in 1954. Meanwhile he had served in the second World War, first in the L.D.V. and later in the 5th City of London Home Guard, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Law did in fact have interests in the office in the early days other than his long-standing association with The Times Auxiliary. He was a supporter of office cricketing activities and also gave his attention to rowing. Not least, he was first assistant secretary of the Boxing Club.

For the moment he leaves behind him a fine and lasting record of 51 years' service - much of it enhanced by spare-time effort on behalf of others well in keeping with the traditions of the office in which he worked for so long.

Alice

Alice was a talented seamstress and was known as Darney. She married Herbert O’Leary. Herbert was a taxi driver for most of his life, though did work for a spell at the Mount Pleasant sorting office for the General Post Office. Herbert and Darney used to live in 3 Granville Square until the rents were raised too much. Then Florrie Law’s tenant moved out of Ewart Grove, so Darney and Herbert moved up to Wood Green. In later years she moved in to look after her sister Edith, but would return home to Ewart Grove on her days off.

Herbert developed cancer of the bowel and despite surgery he died. He was buried in the grave of Mary Ann Law, his mother-in-law.

Ellen Law

I’m am sorry to say that I know very little about Ellen and her family. I desperately hope someone will fill me in on all the details. I do know that Ellen married John Bann O’Hara and they had a family. I believe John was a Warrant Officer in the Royal Navy. He retired at the end of his commission and got a job with the Post Office at Mount Pleasant but at the outbreak of WW2 he re-enlisted and became a 1st Lieutenant. He was a diver.

Edith Mary Law

Edith was the youngest child of Philip and Mary Ann. As her mother was working hard to support the family, Edith spent a lot of time with Mary France as she grew up. She was quite well-off and from the same parish. Edith was very friendly with her daughter Mary. Edith Mary married Ernest Roe at St Etheldreda’s Church, Ely Place, Holborn. Edith and Ernest started their married lives at 47 Leather Lane, Holborn. They lived over the greengrocery which they ran.

They moved out of London to a new development, buying a house at 42 Morton Way, Southgate. It was a 3 bedroomed, semi-detached house overlooking Arnos Park. At the start of the war Edith evacuated the children and her in-laws to Aunt Lucy’s farm near Melbourne in Hertfordshire. When it became clear that the hostilities would last, they brought the girls back to London and transferred them to boarding school at the convent at Loughborough.

In the late 1950s Edie suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Royal Northern Hospital in Holloway. This left her paralysed down her left side. After a period of hospitalisation she was allowed home, but had to use a calliper and stick to get about. Her sister Alice (known as Darney) moved in to help run the house and help Edie.

Sunday lunch was always an event in the house. Friends came round for drinks, or Ernie and Edie would go to friends. Phyl and Lou Corte, in Bengeo; Jimmy James and his wife Lulu; Bunny and Anna France, Tod France were all frequent visitors. Grandchildren Andrew and Jane would also be there every Sunday. This became a tradition and others would often drop in. Peter and Mary Law, Florrie and Bert Law, John and Wynn Roe, and various others would often swell the numbers.

By the 1970s, Edith went into St Joseph’s Hospice. She was confined to a wheelchair by this time. She stayed there for her remaining years. Ernie visited her every day throughout this time, and her grandchildren Andrew and Jane visited most weekends with their families.

Edith died peacefully on July 24th, 1983 (her birthday) in St Joseph’s Hospice, Edmonton. (Interestingly, her grave stone incorrectly records her date of death as 25th July).

Albert James Law (b:2/1/1892 d:1977)
+Florence Ellen Roe (b:26/4/1897 m:8/6/1919 d:20/12/1978)

Patricia Florence Law (b:2/6/1920)
+William Edward Empson (b:13/7/1920 m:1943)

Philip John Albert Law (b:15/8/1921)
+Eileen Victoria Murphy (b:12/9/1923 m:1949 d:1989)

Peter Ernest Law (b:6/3/1924)
+Mary Cecilia Tidy (b:14/8/1925 m:?)

Florrie and Bert first child, Patricia Florence Law, was born 2nd June 1920 in Chapel Street, Kings Cross. She grew up and in 1945 married William Edward Empson (13th July 1920). Bill was in the navy. I admit that I have done no research on the Empson part of the family, as their son Mark Empson is working on that side of the family tree.

Philip John Albert Law was born 15th August 1921. Philip recalls how at weekends in the summer, when his dad had finished on the paper, they would all get in the car and go down to the farm. Philip grew up and in 1949 married Eileen Victoria Murphy (12th September 1923). He worked on the Times Newspaper, like his father.

Peter Ernest Law was born 6th March 1924 grew up and married Mary Cecilia Tidy (14th August 1925). Peter worked on the Financial Times newspaper for 38 years, until his retirement. Mary died in the spring of 2004.

Alice O’Leary (b:20/1/1894 d:21/2/1977)
+Herbert O’Leary (b:? m:? d:?)

v Mary O’Leary (b:28/7/1923 d:Abt 1965)
+William Peters (b:1/5/1923 m:12/9/1943)

Again, I must confess that I know little of this part of the family. Herbert and Darney had one child, Mary born on July 28th 1923. When Mary grew up she trained as a nurse. She met and married Bill Peters, an airman in the Canadian Air Force.

Mary was killed in a road traffic incident in the mid-1960s.

Ellen Law (b:2/6/1895)
+John Bann O’Hara (b:?)

v Alice O’Hara (b:20/8/1919)
+Jack Baradell (b:? m:?)

v John Bann O’Hara (b:?)
+Nancy (O’Hara) (b:? m:?)

v Eileen O’Hara (b:?)
+William Boatwright (b:? m:?)

v Paddy O’Hara (b:?)
+James MacWilliams (b:? m:?)

v Brian Bann O’Hara (b:? d:1993)
Betty (O’Hara) (b:? m:?)

v Sheila O’Hara (b:17 Oct 1928, Gillingham, Kent; d:4-Feb-2004))
+Kenneth William Marks (b:? m: 23-May-1946, Wood Green)

I know little of this branch of the family, but believe that Austin has been researching his part of the family, hopefully we can combine notes and fill in some gaps between us. I do recollect, as a child, going down to Sidcup with Darney and attending some company open days. I think this was related to this part of the family.

In early 2004 I heard from Sheila (O'Hara) Mark's daughter Faye, that Sheila had died. An obituary for Sheila was available.

Edith Mary Law (b:24/7/1898 d:24 July 1983)
+Ernest Roe (b:19/2/1902 m:27/9/1925 d:26/6/1988)

v Eileen Mary Roe (b:17/8/1926 d:9/10/1959)
+John Thomas Temple McMenemy (b:9/2/1926 m:14/5/1951 d:5/1/1965)

v Audrey Alice Roe (b:7/3/1930)
+Raymond Patrick Badeski (b:9/3/1925 m:13/12/1958 d:24/11/1986)

v Jeanette Margaret Roe (b:19/5/1936 d:/12/1936)

Eileen Mary Roe was born 17th August 1926 at the family home at 47, Leather Lane, Holborn.

The family moved to a newly built house at 42 Morton Way, Southgate, overlooking Arnos Park. Eileen went to the local St Angela’s Convent in Palmers Green. Later she was sent to a convent boarding school at Loughborough in Leicestershire. In addition to formal tuition, Eileen learnt to play the piano. Eileen and her friend Heather McDonald left Loughborough and went to train as physiotherapists. Heather was a sturdy girl, and in those days physiotherapy was very physical. Eileen was more petite, and she wasn’t really cut out for the profession.

Eileen met John McMenemy at the local tennis club. They married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, New Southgate on 14th May, 1951.

After the reception they went to Paris for their honeymoon. On the last day before returning to England Eileen and John met up with Ernest and Edith at Versailles. Eileen’s parents were driving through France on their way to Italy for a holiday.

On returning to England they moved into 42 Morton Way as a temporary measure prior to the availability of the apartment they had acquired. For the first couple of weeks they had the house to themselves, but then Eileen’s parents returned, so things were a bit cramped for a few weeks. Finally, they moved into their own place at 5 Gower Mews Mansions, WC1.

In 1956 Eileen and John moved to 17 Mayfield Close, Harpenden. It was there that on October 8th 1959 Eileen collapsed on the kitchen floor. She was rushed to hospital, and then on to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. She had suffered a massive stroke. The following day, having received the Last Rites, she died.

Audrey Roe was born 7th March 1930 at 47 Leather Lane. Like Eileen she also went to St Angela’s Convent. Audrey remembers that when she first enrolled at St Angela’s she was walking across the yard when someone pointed out the McMenemy twins. Audrey recalled looking at them and trying to work out why they were different. Eventually when Audrey and Eileen got home, she asked Eileen what twins were!

After St Angela’s, Audrey went to the Convent at Loughborough for 12 years.

On leaving school, Audrey trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. After completing her training she worked as a nurse in New York and then changed career and became an air stewardess on Trans Canada Airlines. It was during this period that she met Raymond Badeski. In 1958 Audrey and Ray married in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, New Southgate with nephews David Law and Andrew McMenemy attired in Highland dress in attendance. Their reception was held at the Hendon Hall Hotel.

Audrey and Ray set up home at 4630 Montclair Avenue, Montreal. By the late 1960s Toronto was the opportunity capital of Canada, and less troubled by Quebecois influence. They moved to 8 Frivick Court, Willowdale, Toronto.

In the late 1980s Ray developed cancer. It was a long difficult time. Audrey nursed him at home to the end. He died 24th November 1986.

Audrey moved from Frivick Court in 1994, and now lives at 128 Confederation Way, Thornhill.

Ernest and Edith’s youngest daughter was Jeanette Roe, born 19th May 1936. She was born blind and had a heart defect. Jeanette spent her whole, short life in and out of hospital. When at home, being nursed by private nurses. She died in December 1936, 7 months old.

The sixth and subsequent generations are becoming too large to provide detail. Please refer to the Law outline for summary details. I would love to receive and background information about these generations. I will keep it on file, and when I have sufficient coverage I will add the information to this web page.

Last Modified: 13/05/2006 09:01