Henry James Porter (1872 - 1945)

Born 24 Apr 1872 in Taunton, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Brownsey) Porter — married 1894 in Taunton, Somerset

Descendants

Died 16 Jan 1945 at age 72 in Taunton, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Henry was born on the 24th April 1872, the son of James Porter (1846 - 1929) and Charlotte Whitcombe (Knight) Porter (1843 - ~1897) in Taunton, Somerset, and his birth was registered in the 2nd quarter 1872, reference Taunton 5c/401.^[1][2][3]

1881 Census on the 3rd April 1881 Henry was living at 26 St James Street, Taunton with his parents James and Charlotte, and his siblings Emma, Flora (shown as Melsia), Albert and Walter E.^[4]

1891 Census on the 5th April 1891 Henry, a billposter, was living in St James Street, Taunton, Somerset with his parents James and Charlotte, and his siblings Emma, Malora (shown as Malvia), Albert, Walter, Florence, Francis, William and Mabel. (William and Mabel were listed on a continuing page in the census and therefore require a separate search).^[5][6]

Henry married Elizabeth Brownsey (1870 - 1948) in Taunton, Somerset, and the marriage was registered in the 2nd quarter 1894.^[7]

1901 Census on the 31st March 1901 Henry, a billposter, was living at 41 Winchester Street, Taunton with his wife Elizabeth and daughter Mabel.^[8]

1911 Census on the 2nd April 1911 Henry, a billposter, was living at 38 Winchester Street, Taunton with his wife Elizabeth, and his children Mabel, Hilda, Stanley, Ellen and Herbert.^[9][10]

He received a Chelsea pension because of his military service prior to 1914.^[11]

Henry attended his step-mother Ellen's funeral on the 27th December 1916 at North Street Chapel, Taunton.^[12]

In 1929 Henry attended his father's funeral in Taunton: James Porter died in 1929 and his funeral was recorded in the Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser – Wednesday 6th March 1929: The funeral of Mr James Porter, former Taunton tradesman, whose death occurred at Burnham-on-Sea, took place on Tuesday afternoon at St. James's Cemetery, Taunton. Mr Porter had reached the age of 82. The Rev. J. Jones Vaughan, minister of North Street Congregational Church, conducted the burial service, and the chief mourners were Messrs H. J. Porter, Taunton, Albert Porter, Worcester, Walter Porter, Newcastle, Francis Porter, Chelmsford, and William Porter, Norwich (sons), Mrs Oram, of Low Ham, Langport, and Mrs W. Porter, Berrow (daughters), Miss Osborne, Bristol (sister-in-law), Miss Wilmott, Bristol, Mrs Groves, Pitney, Langport, and Miss Ethel Silvester, Berrow (grand-daughters), Mr O. Coombes, Berrow, Mr C. Knight, Taunton.^[13]

1939 National Register on the 29th September 1939 Henry, a billposting company manager, was living at Belmont, Elms Estate, Taunton, Somerset with his wife Elizabeth. His son Herbert was also living there with his wife Irene and their daughter Sheila.^[3]

Henry died in Taunton on the 16th January 1945 and his death was registered in the 1st quarter 1945. His estate of £5825 11sh 2d was subject to probate in Bodmin, Cornwall, on the 20th July 1945and managed by his son Stanley.^[14][15][16]

According to the Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser: THIRD GENERATION OF BILLPOSTERS DEATH OF Mr. H. J. PORTER, TAUNTON OVER 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS A well-known Taunton businessman for more than half a century. Mr. Henry James Porter, of Belmont, Elms Estate, Staplegrove died on Wednesday aged 73. He had been ill for about a fortnight although his health has been failing for about six weeks. The son of Mr and Mrs James Porter, of Taunton Mr Porter, for many years carried on business as a billposter, in which firm was the third generation of Porters. He was managing director of the Taunton Billposting Company until his retirement about seven years ago. Since the war Mr. Porter carried on the furnishing business in the High Street of his son, who is serving in the forces. Mr. Porter's death will be keenly felt at North Street Congregational Church, to which had been attached practically all of his life. He had been a sidesman for many years. KEEN SPORTSMAN. A keen sportsman in his younger days, Mr Porter was a good swimmer and diver, a follower of the Taunton R.F.C., and a well known figure at the County Cricket Ground. He was also connected with the Y.M.C.A. in earlier life. About the time of the Boer War Porter was a member the Volunteer Reserve. Of a somewhat quiet and retiring nature, Mr. Porter was much liked and highly respected, and he will be greatly missed by his many friends. He leaves a wife — they celebrated their golden wedding on May 14th last year — two sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. The sons are Mr. Stanley J. Porter, who is serving with the Royal Artillery India, and Mr. Herbert E. Porter, with the R.A.F. in this country. The daughters, Mrs. R. Harris, Mrs. E. J. Lock , and Mrs. T. Wine, all live in Taunton. The funeral service will take place at North Street Congregational Church this Saturday morning at 11 o'clock, the interment following at St Mary's Cemetery.^[17]

Henry was buried on 20th January 1945 in Taunton, according to the Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. LATE MR. H. J. PORTER, TAUNTON FUNERAL SERVICE AT NORTH STREET The funeral took place at North Street Congregational Church, Taunton on Saturday of Mr. Henry James Porter, of Belmont, Elms Estate, Staplegrove, a well-known Taunton business man for more than half a century, whose death on the previous Wednesday was reported in our last issue. Mr. Porter, who was 73, had carried on business as a billposter, which trade he was the third generation of Porters, and was until his retirement, about seven years ago, managing director of Taunton Billpostlng Coy. Since the war he had carried on the furnishing business in High Street of his elder son, who is in the Forces. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Cox, minister at North Street Church, and Mr. W. Pursey Short was at the organ. Before the service Mr. Short played Handel's Largo and "He Shall Feed His Flock" ('Messiah"), and in conclusion "O Rest In the Lord" ("Elijah)". The hymn, " Rock of Ages," was sung. The interment followed at St Mary's Cemetery. Principal mourners were : Mrs. E. Porter (wife), Mr. H. E. Porter, R.A.F. (son), Mr. and Mrs. R. Harris (son in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Lock (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Wine (son in-law and daughter), Mesdames S. J. and H. E. Porter (daughters-in-law), Mr. A. Porter, of Worcester (brother) Mr. and Mrs. E. Oram and daughter (brother-in-law, sister, and niece), Mrs. M. Porter (sister), Mr. C. Harris (grandson), and Mr. Woods. Mr.S. J. Porter (son) was unable attend through serving with the Royal Artillery in India. Others present included: Ald. F. W. Prltchett Brown, Mr. S Wine Bobbie, Messrs. O. Rowland and Prlng (church deacons), Mr. D. G. Hunt (also representing Mills and Rockley, Ltd. billposters) and Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. H. Gibbins, Mr. R C. Lock, Rev. and Mrs. Jones Vaughan, Mr. F. J. Hartland, Mr. Harold Passmore (also representing Mr. A. E. Passmore in India), Mrs. A. J. Burnett (also representing Mr. Burnett), Mr. A. Chown, and Mr. E. J. Pope. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. E. E. White & Son Ltd., East Reach, Taunton. By Mr. Porter's request, there were no flowers, except a cross from the family. The relatives of the late Mr. Porter desire to thank all friends for the messages of sympathy and kindness received in their recent bereavement.^[18]

Children

Mabel Lilian Porter (4.3.1895 - 1971) aged 76
Hilda Malora Porter (18.8.1901 - 1981) aged 80
Stanley James Porter (19.12.1903 - 1977) aged 74
Ellen Doris Porter (1.4.1906 - 1983) aged 77
Herbert Edward Porter (24.11.1910 - )

Residence

(3.4.1881 - 5.4.1891) 26 St James Street, Taunton, Somerset
(31.3.1901 41 Winchester Street, Taunton, Somerset
(2.4.1911) 38 Winchester Street, Taunton, Somerset
(29.9.1939 - 20.1.1945) Belmont, Elms Estate, Staplegrove, Taunton, Somerset

Occupation

Billposter (5.4.1891 - 2.4.1911)
Managing Director of the Taunton Billposting Company (29.9.1939 - 17.1.1945)

Sources

1. ↑ * Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office". GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 14 February 2022). Porter, Henry James (Mother's maiden name: Knight). GRO Reference: 1872 Apr-May-Jun in Taunton Volume 05C Page 401.
2. ↑ Henry James Porter's birth, England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008 FamilySearch
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 1939 National Register Ancestry
4. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1881 FamilySearch
5. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1891 FamilySearch
6. ↑ 1891 Census Ancestry
7. ↑ Henry James Porter's marriage, England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005 FamilySearch
8. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1901 FamilySearch
9. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1911 FamilySearch
10. ↑ 1911 Census Ancestry
11. ↑ United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records, 1760-1913 FamilySearch
12. ↑ Ellen Daisy J. (Turtle) Porter's funeral Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser - Wednesday 27th December 1916 BritishNewspaperArchive
13. ↑ James Porter's funeral Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser – Wednesday 6th March 1929 BritishNewspaperArchive
14. ↑ * Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office". GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 14 February 2022). Porter, Henry James (Age at death: 73). GRO Reference: 1945 Jan-Feb-Mar in Taunton Volume 05C Page 359.
15. ↑ Henry James Porter's death, England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007 FamilySearch
16. ↑ Probate of Henry James Porter's estate, Ancestry
17. ↑ Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser - Saturday 20th January 1945 BritishNewspaperArchive
18. ↑ Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser - Saturday 27th January 1945 BritishNewspaperArchive