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Family tree▼ (edit)
m. 5 Oct 1836
(edit)
m. 20 Nov 1861
Facts and Events
William Denning was the first-born son to James Denning and Maria Ann Knight; William was born in Dorking/Woking in 1837. William's Father was a gardener and presumably moved around for work. In the 1840's the family lived in Kent but by 1850 they are living in Yorkshire where they appear to have settled for a time. By the age of 13 William became a gardener for Lord Londesborough at Tadcaster. In 1855 William went to Kew and later became Head Gardener to Lord Londesborough for 19 years, Lord Londesborough appears to have gardens in Yorkshire and Kingston, Surrey. On 20th November 1861 William married Mary Ann Matthews at the Parish Church of Kirkby Wharfe in Yorkshire the marriage was witnessed by his father James, three of his sisters Esther Elizabeth, Mary and Fanny, and John Bate who later became father-in-law to William's daughter Jane. In the 1861 census Albert was living with a family headed by Robert Campbell and his wife Elizabeth. Campbell is shown as a gardener as is William so it is likely that they worked in the same place. In 1862 William is living at Garden House, Preston [under Scar] where his son Albert is born. By 1871 he was Head Gardener at Grimston Hall living in the Gardener's house where two of his children William and Henry are born. Also living in the house was a servant girl aged 14 named Rhoda Robinson. In 1881 William is living at Londesborough Gardens, Kingston, Surrey with his wife and children, he is listed as 1-lad Gardeners Domestic employing 13 men, 1 women and 2 boys. The 2 boys were his sons Albert and Alfred aged 18 and 17. William's Father and Mother are still living in Yorkshire at Londesborough cum Easthorpe. James, aged 75, is still listed as Gardener and presumably he also still worked for Lord Londesborough. His mother, Maria, is listed in the census but this must have been shortly before her death. William returned to Hampton in 1887 where he founded his Floral Business. In the 1891 census William is living at 1 Heathfield Cottage, Coombe Road and by 1901 Coombe Road which has changed its name to Oak Avenue. William lived there until his death. His occupation is stated as florist. Living with him was his wife Mary Ann, daughter Jane who is an assistant florist, presumably working with her father and Bertha Lock, granddaughter aged 5 years. Bertha was the illegitimate daughter of Jane who later added Denning to her name. In the 1901 census, William's son Alfred was living at home, listed as florist's son (employee) together with his wife Fanny. Also in the house are daughter Jane who is now Mrs Bate with two children but no mention of her husband. Bertha Lock is there too now calling herself Denning. William's first mention found in local papers was in March 1894 where there is a letter of his to the paper complaining about the state of the roads. Until 1894 Hampton had a local board but the UDC (Urban District Council) was formed in that year and 15 candidates were successfully elected, William being the 15th. Attached is a copy of a rare surviving election poster for a number of candidates including William Denning. In 1895 William was on the Council Highways and lighting committee and the Allotments committee. From 1895 also he became Judge for The Hampton and Hampton Hill Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society. In 1896 he was voted onto the Hampton Endowed Schools Board of Governors with the most votes. And in 1897 he is connected with the New Hampton Fire station (a copy of the table plan and menu for dinner regarding the opening still exists although I haven't seen it.) In 1899 there were 6 candidates for 5 positions on the UDC and William Denning was once more elected with the 2nd highest votes. He was voted every year after this and by 1906 he was elected Chairman. On March 10th 1910 The Surrey Comet published a statement about "The illness of Councillor - sudden seizure while attending meeting". Councillor Denning suffered a paralytic stroke and a bed was provided in the surveyors room, The following morning he was conveyed home by horse ambulance. On April 6th 1910 The Surrey Comet writes: "Death of Mr Denning'. He had been more or less unconscious since his seizure at the council meeting. The Death certificate shows that son Henry was present at the death of his Father. Oak Avenue remains on the Hampton map today. There is a new housing estate built on the land where William's Nurseries would have been and one of the roads has been named Denning Close, it is understood it was named after the Councillor. From Trade in Hampton, 1890's Green lane led into Hanworth Long lane which name persisted until, as a result of petition by the residents, the UDC in 1898 agreed to change it to Oak Avenue. There was later a proposal by Councillor Denning, the Coombe Road Nurseryman, to change the name again to Queen Elizabeth Road, but this was not seconded. Coombe Road is given in the 1895 directories but by 1896 the name had been dropped and the houses were considered to be in Oak Avenue. However Coombe Road appears again in the early 1900's. Shown in 1881 Census living at 121 Londsborough Gardens, occupation Head Gardener domestic employing 13 men 1 woman and two boys. Birth place of wife Mary anne shown as Spring Gardens, London. 1871 Census shown in "Gardener's House" Tadcaster, Grimston, Yorkshire with wife Mary A and 7 children and a servant Rhoda Robinson (14) References
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