Staffurth Clarke (left), was born in approximately 1827 in Warboys, Huntingdonshire. He was baptised on 13th September 1829 at Warboys, but was described at the time as being of St Ives. His father, also called Staffurth, had previously been a farmer, but took a post as the toll gate keeper for St Ives. However he continued to baptise his children at Warboys. Staffurth’s mother was Jane Bull, who had come from Godmanchester. More of Staffurth parents here. Sophia Wyman (right) was in about 1828 at Oundle to George Wyman, a Wheelwright of West Street, Oundle and Mary née Swain, who had come from Wellington in Somerset. Staffurth and Sophia married on 24 Dec 1850 at St Peter’s Oundle. Staffurth was a Watchmaker. See details of his business here. The business was at times in New Road, West Street, and mostly in the Market Place. His business card shows he was in other lines of business such as silver and guns. Staffurth died on 23rd September 1887 at Oundle and was buried on 26th September at St Peter’s Oundle. Sophia died in Jun quarter 1906 in Oundle, and was buried on 2nd May at St Peter’s Oundle.

Their children were as follows: -

Mary Jane Clarke was born in March quarter 1852, and baptised at St Peter’s on 20th June. She never married. She had some jobs as housekeepers or matrons with schools in Margate, Tonbridge and Hampstead, but by 1911 was back at in Oundle as a matron. My grandmother said that Mary Jane committed suicide, but this has not been corroborated. She died on 29th September 1920 at 77 High Street Egham (per National Probate Calendar). Local papers will be checked.

George Wyman Clarke was born in October quarter 1853 and baptised at St Peter’s on 24th December 1854. He worked all his life in the watchmaker’s business, and never married. George died 29th September 1930 at the Watchmaker's at 10 Market Place, Oundle.

William Staffurth Clarke was born in December quarter 1855 in Oundle and was baptised at St Peter’s on 10th February 1856. He did start in the watchmaker’s business, but by 1891 was a groom , and later was a horseman. By 1911 he was in the workhouse in Oundle. He never married and died in March quarter 1919 in Oundle.

Clara Maria Clarke, my great grandmother, was born in January quarter 1858 in Oundle and baptised on 20th June. She married Frederick Douglas, who was a baker and a watchmaker’s son from Egham. The marriage was in March quarter 1881 in Lambeth district. See here.

Ellen Sophia Clarke was born in December quarter 1859 at Oundle and baptised on 22nd April 1860 at St Peter’s. She married Cook George Afford, a stone mason, in December 1881 in Leicester. They lived in Oundle afterwards, and had 4 children. Ellen died in September quarter 1930 in Oundle.

Alfred Ernest Clarke was born in March quarter 1862 in Oundle. I had thought that he disappeared after 1881 or died, but he reappeared in September quarter 1904 in Suffolk, and married Martha Faires. They  are living in Ipswich in 1911 with a daughter, Hilda. He was described as an army pensioner in 1930 at the administration of his brother George's estate, but his army record has not been found.

Frederick Staffurth Clarke was born in December quarter 1863 in Oundle, and died in Oundle in June quarter 1868.

Charles Thomas Clarke was born in December quarter 1867 in Oundle. By 1901 he is married to Laura, who has not yet been identified. He was a joiner in Thrapston.

Louisa Agnes Clarke was born in  March quarter 1868 in Oundle. She was known as Louie. She never married, and owned the business by the time of her death in January quarter 1955 in Oundle.

Arthur Robert Clarke was born in December quarter 1870 in Oundle. In 1891 he was a watchmaker in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, and then in Winchester. He did not marry.

Percy Frederick Clarke was born in June quarter 1873 in Oundle. He died in January quarter 1891, and was buried in St Peter’s Oundle on 25th February 1891.

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		OUNDLE   Interment – The remains of Mr G. W. Clarke were laid to rest in the cemetery on Thursday, following a service in the parish church.  The Vicar (Canon Smalley Law) officiated, and Mr G. W. White was at the organ. The chief mourners were Miss Clarke (sister), Messrs. Alfred and Robert Clarke (brothers), Mrs. R. Clarke (sister-in-law), Mr C. J. Douglas (cousin), and Mrs Douglas, Miss L. Afford, Mr P. Afford, Mr. and Mrs. Priestly (nephews and nieces), Mr C. G. Afford (brother-in- law). Among others present were Dr. K. Fisher, Major A. D. Nightingale, Mr. J. M. Bamfoot, Mrs. J. H. Smith, Mrs. H. M. Brown, Mrs. Wardle, (representing Col. and Lady Margaret Proby, of Elton Hall), Messrs. C. A. New- man, S. A. Hackett, J. Rippiner, T. Mawdesley, R. Knight, T. Skeffington, J. C. Binder, E. C. Binder, F. Seaton, G. Selby, F. G. Davidson, H. Rands, A. Howitt, P. Amps, F. Howe, F. Cotton, W. R. Maddison, W. E. Dolby, W. Black, A. Ashworth, S. Bennett, V. E. Leayton, O. Leayton, H. H. Markham, J. Smith, Munds, and G. Fellows
Louisa Agnes Clarke		The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury Friday October 10. 1930