Henry James Edmund Kippin was born on 15 January 1882 at Perrin's Court, Hampstead, the eldest son and the second of the ten children of Edmund Kippin (1852-1916) and Letitia Kippin née Cook (1856-1948). His father was a chimney-sweep, as had been his paternal grandfather and he was baptised on 12 February 1882 at St John's Church, Hampstead.
The 1891 census show him living at 4 Perrin's Court, Hampstead, with his parents, his elder sister Alice Emily Kippin (1876-1930) and his three younger sisters, Nelly Jane Kippin (1885-1968), Kate Kippin (1888-1947) and Edith Lilian Kippin (1890-1977). Nelly Jane Kippin would later marry Robert William Johnson (1882-1950) who also features on the New Court WW1 memorial. A younger brother, Arthur Edwin Kippin, had been born in 1883 but died in 1886.
The 1901 census informs that he was now at 3 Perrin's Court, Hampstead, living with his parents and his seven younger siblings that now included Ernest Kippin (1892-1964), Ethel Letitia Kippin (1893-1921), Edmund Kippin (1896-1912) and Margaret Emily Kippin, (1899-1990). Both he and his father were shown as chimney sweepers.
On 31 May 1903 he married Ellen Mary Pearson (1880-1957) at St John's Church, Hampstead and the marriage register shows them both as living at 3 Perrin's Court, Hampstead and his occupation was listed as a chimney-sweep. They had at least two children: Florence Mary Letitia Kippin (1904-2000) and Henry William Edmund Kippin (1909-1968).
The 1911 census shows him living with his wife and two children at 6 New Buildings, Flask Walk, Hampstead, and continues to show his occupation as a chimney-sweep. The World War One memorial outside New Court, Flask Walk shows him as Kippin H, Vol.A.A.C and from this we believe he had served in the Anti-Aircraft Corps that came under the auspices of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Electoral registers from 1919 to 1939 show that he and his wife continued to live at 6 New Buildings. However, the 1938 Post Office London Directory showed that his chimney sweeping business of E. Kippin & Son continued to trade at 3 Perrin's Court. The 1939 England and Wales Register shows him as a chimney sweep still living at 6 New Buildings together with his wife and their son, Henry William Edmund Kippen who was described as a gas service clerk and also serving as a sergeant in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, warrant number 005885, and was attached to 'S' Division. Electoral registers from 1946 to 1965 show him at 3 Perrin's Court, Hampstead.
His wife died in 1957 and he died, aged 86 years, on 23 July 1968 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was buried in Plot G22 in the churchyard of St John's Church, Hampstead. Probate was granted on 30 September 1968 and his estate totalled £8,356.
We were unable to find an image of Henry James Edmund Kippin, so have chosen to display a picture of the family's chimney sweep handcart that is on display at the Burgh House & Hampstead Museum, New End Square, London, NW3 1LT.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
