Strowbridge Family

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Thomas Strowbridge Senior arrived in East Lulworth over 120 years ago and descendants of his live in the village today.

Thomas Strowbridge (1857-1938)

Thomas was born at Bishopsteignton, Devon in 1857. His parents were Charles George Strowbridge, a gamekeeper, and his wife Mary Ann Strowbridge nee Strowbridge.

Thomas married Eliza Mary Harris (1857-1941) in 1881.

Thomas and Eliza had eight children, one of whom sadly died in infancy:

Thomas and Eliza moved from Devon to Warminster, Wiltshire around 1887 and then on to Wool, Dorset in 1890. In 1891 the Strowbridge family were living at Wool Bridge with Thomas employed as gamekeeper.

By 1901 the Strowbridge family were living at Wareham Lodge, East Lulworth with Thomas and elder sons Joseph and Leo all employed as gamekeepers. By 1909 the family had moved to Shaggs.

Sons Joseph and John served with the Dorsetshire Regiment during World War I.

WWI – younger brother John became a Corporal while Joseph remained a Private

In 1920 Thomas and Eliza were living at No. 1 East Lulworth opposite Lulworth Garage.

Thomas died on 20 February 1938 aged 80. His widow Eliza died three years later on 17 March 1941 aged 82. They were buried in the cemetery.

Joseph Strowbridge (1883-1945)

Joseph was born at Teignmouth, Devon.

Joseph married Agnes Mary Squibb (1880-1958) at St Mary’s Chapel on 24 September 1904. Agnes was the daughter of gardener Austin Squibb (1840-1908) and his wife Emily Squibb nee Taylor (1848-1913).

Joseph and Agnes had six children:

  • Josephine Mary Strowbridge (1905-1998) – Josephine married Robert Taylor on 16 September 1939 at St Mary’s Chapel – they lived at North Egliston in Tyneham parish prior to the wartime evacuation
  • Cyril Joseph Strowbridge (1907-1950) – Cyril married Dorothy Stevens (1909-1983) on 21 May 1934 at St Mary’s Chapel – they had three children – Cyril later lived at 4 Mountscar, Swanage – he died on 24 February 1950 aged 42 at the General Hospital, Poole – he was buried in the cemetery
  • Harold John Strowbridge (1909-1993?) – Harold married Mary Holdsworth (1913-1947) in 1932 and they had three children – in 1948, the year after Mary’s death, Harold married Jessie Carter – Harold emigrated to Australia.
  • Denis Austin Strowbridge (1911-1977) – Denis married Emma Tilling (1910-1999) at St Mary’s Chapel on 30 June 1954.
  • Mary Catherine Strowbridge (1913-1977) – Mary married Bernard Ambrose Taylor (1910-1970) on 23 April 1938 at St Mary’s Chapel and they had three children.
  • Agnes Mary Strowbridge (1922) – died aged 7 days

In 1908 Joseph & family were living at North Trigon, near Wareham.

Joseph Strowbridge and family went to BlackBarrow to live, December 1926.

Henry Rolls’ Journal

Joseph & Agnes lived at No. 49 East Lodge and later at No. 61 Eady Pit.

Joseph died on 16 July 1945 at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester aged 63. He was buried in the cemetery. Agnes died in late 1958 aged 78.

Leo Strowbridge (1884-1954)

Leo was born on 9 May 1884 at Teignmouth, Devon.

Leo married Rosina Mary Roper (1885-1973). Rosina was the daughter of Robert Roper (1854-1934) and his wife Teresa Mary Roper nee Penny (1863-1928).

Leo and Rosina had three children:

  • Evelyn Mary J Strowbridge (1908-2000) – Evelyn married Leo Burden (1903-1975) in 1933 and they had one child.
  • Frances Strowbridge (1911-1990) – Frances was born on 28 March 1911 – she married widower Ronald Dixon (1915-1989) in 1962 and became a much-loved stepmother to his son.
  • Geraldine Roper Strowbridge (1915-1971) – Geraldine was born on 30 August 1914 – she married Alexander Thomson (1912-1951) on 24 April 1939 – she married Harry John Presslee (1924-1982) in 1955 – she had one son – Geraldine died on 7 February 1971 aged 55 and was buried in the cemetery.

Leo and Rosina were living at No. 51 Shaggs by 1920.

Leo died on 18 August 1954 aged 70. Rosina died on 9 November 1973 aged 88.

Thomas Strowbridge Junior (1886-1957)

Thomas, known as Tom, was born

Tom married Clara Mary Squibb (1884-1947), known as Clare, on 15 November 1908 in St Mary’s Chapel.

Tom & Clare had four children, two of whom sadly died in infancy within a day of each other:

  • Raymond Thomas Strowbridge (1911-1913) – died 20 April 1913 aged 16 months
  • Mary Strowbridge (1913–1913) – died 19 April 1913 aged 3 months
  • Thomas Joseph Strowbridge (1920–1995) – Thomas married Cecilia Agnes Bennett known as Celia- Thomas died on 18 September 1995 aged 74 and his widow Celia died on 17 December 2010 aged 79
  • [Living son] – emigrated to Australia but came back to Dorset

Tom and Clare lived at No. 38 The Laurels in 1920.

Clare died on 14 January 1947 aged 62. She was buried in the cemetery. Tom died in early 1957 aged 70.

John Strowbridge (1889-1966)

John was born at Warminster, Wiltshire on 25 August 1889.

John, a gardener, married Jane Rosbottom (1890-1972) in 1922.

John and Jane lived at Lion Lodge, Ince Blundell. Lancashire and had one son.

John died on 20 November 1966 aged 77. His widow Jane died on 21 August 1972 aged 82.

Elizabeth Strowbridge (1892-1975)

Elizabeth married Elijah Edward Rosbottom (1893-1973) on 5 August 1919. Elijah was the elder brother of Jane who Elizabeth’s brother John married in 1922.

Elizabeth and Elijah had four children:

  • Margaret Mary Rosbottom (1920-1963) –
  • Jeanne Yvonne Rosbottom (1925-1989) –
  • Lawrence Rosbottom (1928-2007) –
  • Amy E Rosbottom (1932-1937) –

Martha Strowbridge (1894-1964)

Martha was born at Wool, Dorset.

Martha had a son, Francis Joseph Strowbridge (1916-1996). His father John Francis Hedger was required to pay maintenance until he reached the age of 14.

Martha married Reginald Frank James Uphill (1892-1969)

Martha and Reginald had two children:

  • Emily Patricia J Uphill (1922-1999) –
  • Doris Mary Rose Uphill (1923-1949) –

Margaret Mary Strowbridge (1896-1973)

Margaret was born at Wool, Dorset.

Margaret married William Thomas Bennett (-1979) at St Mary’s Chapel on 13 April 1925.

They had one child who sadly died in infancy:

  • William A T Bennett (1933-1934) – William died on 1 May 1934 aged 8 months

Margaret died on 10 May 1976 aged 76. William died on 8 February 1979 aged 82.

Page last updated: 26 October 2022

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