Caroline Frances HOOKINS (Tree 3Q)

Much about Caroline has eluded me. She came on to my radar when she, as VICKORY, married George HOOKINS on 2 June 1862 in the Register Office in Exeter. Her marriage certificate indicates that she was 40 years of age at this stage and a widow. Her father was John HILL, a printer, who was by then already deceased. The address of both her and George at that stage was Melbourne Street in Exeter. The census which took place a year before her marriage found her to be a Dressmaker living at 12 Melbourne Street with her mother Mary Salter HILL who was a widow and at that time a Shopkeeper. George was also living at that address.

15 Melbourne Street Exeter

By 1871 George and Caroline (recorded as HOOKINGS) had moved a few doors away to 15 Melbourne Street as her mother had died in 1868. With them was Bessie WALKEY, Caroline's grand-daughter, whose parents were living in West Teignmouth with 3 more of their children. The occupier of No 12 was now a Grocer and his family so presumably this was the shop premises from which Caroline's mother operated her business. This plot has now been redeveloped but No 15 is still in situ as shown.









By 1881 George and Caroline had moved the short distance to 81 Holloway Street in Exeter. With them in the house were a daughter Mary DAVIS and grand-daughters Mary Ellen DAVIS and, again, Bessie, now shown as WALKLEY. Caroline is again shown as being a Dressmaker. This area of Exeter has been totally redeveloped so nothing of the original property now exists.

14 French Street, East Teignmouth

In 1883 George unfortunately died at Holloway Street and by 1891 Caroline was living at 14 French Street, East Teignmouth with her married daughter Elizabeth WALKLEY and her husband with one of their children. Her stay there was however fairly brief as she died there in the same year at the age of 75 recorded as HOOKIN.