On a Genes Reunited forum we found this: "Are this lot in Lewisham (very close to Brixton/Rotherhithe) related: Dad is a municipal clerk - quite well off, 2 servants. Name: Edward H Oxenham Age: 48 Estimated birth year: abt 1853 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Laura E Gender: Male Where born: Tavistock, Devon, England Civil parish: Lewisham Ecclesiastical parish: St Lawrence County/Island: London Country: England Registration district: Lewisham Sub-registration district: Lewisham ED, institution, or vessel: 36 Edward H Oxenham 48 Edward J B Oxenham 19 Grace H Oxenham 19 Laura E Oxenham 48 Mildred M Oxenham 15 Agnes E Patterson 23 Ester M Wright 18.
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has subsequently researched this man. Edward Horswill Oxenham was born in 1852 the eldest of the three children of John Oxenham (1826-1862) and Mary Ann Oxenham née Horswill (1828-1903). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1852 in the Tavistock registration district in Devon and his father was an agent for a copper and tin mining establishment.
The 1861 census shows him living at 1 Parkwood Cottages, Parkwood Road, Tavistock, with his parents, his maternal grandmother Grace Horswill (1802-1874) and siblings: Joseph Henry Oxenham (1855-1915) and Clara Louisa Oxenham (b.1858). In the 1871 census he is recorded as a solicitor's clerk still residing at 1 Parkwood Cottages with his widowed mother, grandmother and sister.
In the 3rd quarter of 1878 he married Laura Eliza Greengrass (1849-1933) in the Lodden registration district in Norfolk and they had four children: Laura Mabel Oxenham (1879-1880), Edward John Baron Oxenham (1882-1943), Grace Horswill Oxenham (1883-1970) and Mildred Mary Oxenham (1886-1958). The 1881 census shows him and his wife living at 3 Stoney Lane, Lewisham and listing his occupation as a solicitor's managing clerk.
In the 1891 census he is recorded as a clerk to the Guardian Burial Board, residing at Keston, Rushey Green, Lewisham, with his wife, their three surviving children and two female general domestic servants. In the 1901 census both he and his son are shown as a clerks - municipal service and he was living at 39 Rushey Green, Catford, with his wife, three children, a cook and a housemaid.
The 1911 census confirms he was still residing at 39 Rushey Green, Catford, with his wife, both daughters and two female domestic servants. He gave his occupation as a clerk working for the borough council.
Probate records show that he died, aged 86 years, on 21 March 1939 at Keston, 39 Rushey Road, Catford and that when probate was granted to his son on 10 May 1939 his effects totalled £3,637-17s0d.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
