Third Generation

6. Henry James BLABER^7,8 was born about 1827 in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England.^{16,121,122,123,124,125} He was christened on 29 April 1827 in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England.¹²⁶ He lived at the Workhouse in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England in February 1836.¹ Taken here when his mother was sent to Chailey. Henry lived at North Court in Cliffe, Lewes, East Sussex, England on 7 June 1841.²² He served in the Army from 1 December 1846 to 23 March 1870.^{122,123,127,128,129,130,131,132,133} He joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 17 at Lewes, Sussex. Henry served in various parts of UK, but mostly in the Gravesend/Sheerness area. He was a Private, and stationed in Norwich, England at his marriage to Hannah in 1855. He also served 4 years 10 months in Barbados. He was awarded five Good Conduct Badges and a Silver Medal for long service, along with a gratuity of £5.00!
He lived at the Cock Inn in Norwich, Norfolk, England in 1855.¹²⁹ Henry lived at New Tavern Fort Barracks in Milton, Gravesend, Kent, England in 1861. At the 1861 census, Henry was a widower. His young son Henry (4) was living with him. From 23 March 1870 to 1871 he was a Labourer.^134,135 He lived at at St Thomas' Hospital in Newington, London, England on 2 April 1871.¹³⁵ He was a patient in hospital at the 1871 census - clearly seriously ill as he died shortly after the census. Henry died of cancer on 28 May 1871 at the age of 44 at St Thomas' Hospital in Newington, London, England.^{122,136,137,138,139}

Henry James BLABER and Hannah FIDDAMENT were married on 19 May 1855 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^8,123,129 The marriage was witnessed by Esau and Mary STEBBINGS. They^8,123,129 lived at Southsea Castle in Portsea Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England on 27 April 1859.¹³⁰ Hannah FIDDAMENT⁸, daughter of James FIDDAMENT, was born about 1835.¹⁴⁰ In 1855 she was a Charwoman.^123,129 She lived at Bethel Street in St Peter Mancroft, Norwich, England in 1855.¹²⁹ Hannah died on 25 April 1860 at the age of 25 in Gravesend, Kent, England.^8,141 She died of Bronchitis after 28 days.

Henry James BLABER-1123 and Hannah FIDDAMENT-1557 had the following children:

Henry James BLABER and Louisa DAVIS were married on 13 July 1862 at St George's Church in Gravesend, Kent, England.^149,150,151 The witnesses to the marriage were Sarah CRIPPS and John, a waterman. They^149,150,151 lived at New Tavern Fort Barracks in Milton, Gravesend, Kent, England in 1862.¹⁵² By now, Henry had been posted to New Tavern Fort. It was originally built as a defence against French invasion, but after 1814 it was mainly garrisoned by older or invalid artillerymen. Some modernisation took place in 1848, and the fort was completely reconstructed between 1868-70 by Colonel (later General) Gordon. Whether Henry was posted here because he had suffered some infirmity, or because of his dependent children, or for some other reason we do not know. Louisa DAVIS¹⁴⁹, daughter of Robert DAVIS, was born on 31 August 1843 in Northfleet, Kent, England.^{153,154,155,156,157} Louisa and family seemed uncertain of her birth date as she was stated as aged 31 in 1871 census, 37 in 1881 census, 45 in 1891 census and 59 in 1901 census. According to her gravestone, she was born in 1843 and died at the age of 57. Church Burial Register states she was 59 years of age.
Between 1871 and 1891 she was a Laundress/Charwoman.^{158,159,160,161} She lived at 2 Albion Road in Gravesend, Kent, England in 1871.¹⁶² At the 1871 census, Louisa was the head of the household, as Henry James Blaber was very ill in hospital, and died a month later. Louisa lived at 2 Higgins Cottages in Milton, Gravesend, Kent, England in 1881.¹⁵³ She lived at 3 The Square, Petticoat Lane in Chalk, Kent, England in 1891.^158,160 Louisa (or Lewiza - sic) was living as Louisa BLABER, widow, with Henry J Howe (single) at the 1891 Census. She lived at 4 Chalk Street in Chalk, Kent, England in 1901.^123,163 Louisa was ill at this census, and died a month later. Louisa died on 22 April 1901 at the age of 57 in Chalk, Kent, England.^149,164 She died at "The Street" of acute bronchitis, which she had suffered for 14 days. Her occupation was given as "Widow of Henry Blaber, a Gunner RA".
She was buried on 26 April 1901 at St Mary the Virgin Church in Chalk, Kent, England.^157,165

Henry James BLABER-1123 and Louisa DAVIS-1563 had the following children: