The Champ family has been associated with East Lulworth for over 250 years. A Richard Champ was appointed as Edward Weld’s Gamekeeper in 1753 – over 200 years later Ronald Champ was Head Gamekeeper to the Weld Estate.
Several branches of Champs exist – we show just one part of one below.
Ambrose Champ (1843-1900)
Ambrose was born at East Lulworth in 1843. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Joseph Champ (1810-1899), a bricklayer, and his wife Elizabeth Champ nee Davis (1813-1871). Ambrose followed in his father’s trade.
Ambrose married Elizabeth Penney (1838-1911) on 9 April 1864. Elizabeth was five years his senior, born at East Lulworth on 16 April 1838. She was the daughter of Charles Penney (1810-1838) and his wife Elizabeth Penny nee Slade (1809-1889). Elizabeth never knew her father – he had been sentenced to three calendar month’s hard labour in January 1838 for poaching but he died in Dorchester Prison in March 1838, a month before she was born.
Ambrose and Elizabeth had five children:
- Frederick Joseph Champ (1865-1940)
- Rose Mary Champ (1868-1900)
- Arthur Joseph Champ (1870-1927)
- William Joseph ‘Billy’ Champ (1874-1948)
- Louisa Mary Champ (1875-1941)
In 1871, bricklayer Ambrose was aged 28, Elizabeth 32, Frederick 5, Rose 3 and Arthur 5 months. Mother-in-law Elizabeth Penny nee Slade (1809-1889) aged 61 and brother-in-law William Penney (1830-1872) aged 40 were living with them.
In 1881, Ambrose, Elizabeth and their five children were living alone in the property. Son Frederick, aged 15, was a bricklayer’s labourer. His four siblings were all at school.
The 1891 census shows Ambrose, Elizabeth and the four younger children were living at Littlemore Cottage. Lodging with them was widow Mary Skiller nee Squibb (1808-1898) aged 81.
Ambrose died on 16 March 1900 aged 58. His widow Elizabeth was living with son William in April 1911. She died on 6 July 1911 aged 73.
Frederick Joseph Champ (1865-1940)
Frederick married Hammersmith-born Georgina Mary Southall (1868-1951) at St Mary’s Chapel on 24 July 1890. Georgina was the daughter of John Southall (1840-1913) and his Spanish wife Mary Ann Southall nee Esponoso (1838-1877).
Frederick and Georgina had nine children, all born at East Lulworth:
- Wilfred George Champ (1891-1915) – died in WW1
- Henrietta Mary ‘Hettie’ Champ (1893-1988) – married Roper
- Ada Mary Champ (1895-1979) – Ada married Daniel McFadden (1880-1957)
- Rose Mary Champ (1897-1986) –
- Joseph Champ (1899-1900) –
- Hilda Kathleen Mary Champ (1901-1982) – married Frederick William Isaac Barker (1896-1974)
- John Francis ‘Jack’ Champ (1904-1992) –
- Francis Champ (1905-1984) –
- Agnes Mary Champ (1907-1978) – Agnes was born on 9 September 1907 – she married Harry Page (1907-1978) on 22 September 1927 and they had six children – Harry died on 17 March 1978 aged 79 and his widow Agnes died eight months later on 20 November 1978 aged 71 – she was then living at 23 East Lulworth
In 1911, Frederick Champ was a Mason on the Estate and in 1921 the family were living at No.23 East Lulworth.
Rose Mary Champ (1868-1900)
Rose married James Alexander Rogers (1873-1955).
Rose and James had one son:
- Archibald Joseph Rogers (1899-1984) –
Sadly Rose died when her son was just one year old.
James married
Arthur Joseph Champ (1870-1927)
Arthur married Frances Annie Champ (neé Stevens)
Arthur and Frances had:
- Elsie Cecilia Champ (1910-1981) – Elsie married William Randall (1903-1986) in 1941 and they had two children.
In 1921 were living at No. 43 Mount Pleasant.
William Joseph ‘Billy’ Champ (1874-1948)
Billy married Cecelia Elizabeth Champ (neé Champ)
Billy & Celia had children:
- Rhoda Gertrude Champ (1910-1994) – Rhoda married Percy Fitch (1902-1987) in 1933 and it is believed they moved to Essex and had four children
- Maud Kathleen M Champ (1913-1980) – Maud married Gordon Selby (1908-1997) in 1935 and they had a daughter.
- Ronald Joseph Champ (1916-2007) – Ronald was Head Gamekeeper for the Weld Estate. In 1950, Ronald married Hilda White (1925-1973) and in 1976 he married Phyllis Smith.
They were living at No. 17 Littlemore Cottage in 1921.
Louisa Mary Champ (1875-1941)
Louisa married Henry William Lovell (1869-1943) –
- Clarence William Lovell (1897-1973) –
- Reginald Joseph Lovell (1898-1976) –
- Clement Joseph Lovell (1903-1976) –
- Sylvia Mary Lovell (1917-2000) – married Ernest Charles House (1917-2003) –
Page last updated: 27 October 2022