Frank Cable’s Son – Frank Harry Cable

CHAPTER III

Harry marries, starts a family and buys a Dairy

1905 – JUNE: FRANK CABLE’S SON MARRIES
On June 7th 1905 FRANCIS HARRY CABLE the son of Frank Cable (now known as Brown) and Catherine Cable (née Feltham), marries ALICE LOUISA SMITH at St. Peter’s Church, West Hackney, London.

St. Peter’s Church is located on De Beauvoir Road, in the south-west corner of Hackney parish, near the junction with Northchurch Terrace. The church, which was built in 1841, is still stands and continues to be a place of worship. Francis is 28 years old and a ‘Dairyman’ (interestingly the same trade as his father) and residing in the parish of Teddington – his bride, Alice is 32 year old. Historically, Teddington was an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex and situated close to the border with Surrey, the district became part of Greater London in 1965.

Witnesses to the marriage are both members of the bride’s family, her father, ‘Nevill Herbert Smith’ and a ‘Lizzie Smith’ who probably is one of her sisters.

In the section on the marriage certificate for Father’s name and surname, Alice’s father is confirmed as ‘Nevill Herbert Smith’, with the profession of ‘Warehouseman’.

Age Discrepancies on this Record
The ages of the couple on this record are inaccurate. Frank Harry Cable was born on 1st January 1881 – that makes him 24 years on in June 1905, not 28 years old as stated.

Recently discovered records show Alice Louise Smith was born on 30th September 1869, that makes her 35 years old on her wedding day and not the 32 years as recorded, Their age gap is actually eleven years and not the four indicated.

1905 – Frank Harry Cable (Frank Cable/Brown’s son) marries Alice Louisa Smith

Against Francis Harry Cable’s father is written ‘Frank Harry Cable’ – ‘Dairyman’, But intriguingly, under the name ‘Frank Harry Cable’ appears to be written the word ‘dec’d’ – I believe this means ‘deceased’.

So here we have numerous questions which we cannot, and never will be able to answer……

1911 – MARCH: CENSUS – FRANCIS HARRY CABLE
Around six years pass and we move onto the Census of 1911, taken on the night of Sunday 31st March. This records Francis Henry Cable, the son of Frank Cable and Catherine Feltham in a house at 19 Park Lane, Clissold Park N, in the Stoke Newington area, within the London Borough of Hackney.

1911 Census – Frank Cable (the son of ‘Frank Brown’) with his wife Alice Louisa Cable and their two sons.

Frank Cable is recorded as being 32 years old and a ‘Visitor’ in the house of NEVILL HERBERT SMITH, a 63 year old Brace & Belt Maker. The census records Nevill Herbert’s family; Mary Ann, aged 65 and three adult children; Mary Ann aged 31, Herbert Nevill aged 29 and Lily Maud aged 22 years old and a German ‘Boarder’ with the surname of Kraus, aged 20 years.

As recorded on his wedding certificate, Francis Cable’s occupation is ‘Dairyman’ with a place of birth of Battersea. With him in the house, also recorded as ‘visitors’ are his wife, Alice Louisa Cable, aged 41, (although her marriage status is left blank) and their two sons: Frank Nevill Cable and Horace Cable aged 5 and 3 respectively.  These two boys are the grandchildren of Frank Cable/Brown.

The name ‘Nevill’ is obviously a family name as it is the same name as the Head of this house (Alice’s father) and also the middle name of the head of household’s son Herbert (Alice’s brother). It is evident Frank is staying with his in-laws. Nevill and Mary Ann Smith are recorded on this Census, as having 6 children still living, 3 of whom are recorded here – at age 41 years; Alice Louisa Smith is possibly their oldest daughter, another of whom is likely to have been the ‘Lizzie Smith’ who was a witness at her wedding six years previously.

NB – On the census record the name of Frank Harry Cable’s youngest son appears to be written as ‘Harris’, however, latter documents clearly indicate his name was ‘Horace’.  The entry was possibliy misrecorded by his grandfather!

1911 – MARCH: CENSUS – FRANCIS HARRY CABLE’S MOTHER – CATHERINE CABLE

As you can see above, Frank Harry Cable is living, together with his wife and their two children, with his in-laws in Stoke Newington.

Meanwhile, his mother, Catherine Cable, is living around 20 miles away in New Malden with her eldest son and his family. In the house, named, ‘Island House‘, located on Malden Road, New Malden are Frederick Feltham, age 45 year and his wife Ada, age 44 years and their five children: Frederick, age 21 years, who like his father is a Carpenter, Horace, age 20 years, Alice, age 16 years, Arthur, age 12, who attends school, and Marjorie, aged 4 years.

[A photograph of Malden Road, New Malden, taken around 19 years after this Census, is shown on the right].

Catherine Cable, written as ‘Katherine‘ on this document, is recorded as being 69 year old. This is not correct, but only a minor discrepancy. She was born on 13th June 1840, consequently she would have been 70 years old, at this time and two months away from her 71st birthday.

However, there is a major discrepancy on this record. Under the column, ‘Total Children Born Alive‘, it states ‘2‘, with ‘Children still Living‘ the entry is ‘1‘ and also ‘Under ‘Total Children Born Alive’, it states ‘2’, with ‘Children still Living’ the entry is ‘1’ and also ‘1’ for ‘Children who have Died’.’ for ‘Children who have Died‘.

That is clearly incorrect. She had at least 5 children with William Feltham and at least 1 with Frank Cable – 6 in total, of which we know.

But which one of her children died?

1911 Census – Katherine Cable (the mother of Frank Harry Cable) with her eldest son and his family

THE CABLE FAMILY – Highlighting the position of Frank Harry Cable c.1911

Click on the image to view a larger image.

1911 – MAY: FRANCIS HARRY CABLE BUYS A DAIRY!
Around two months after the Census above there is details in the Bexhill Chronicle on Saturday 6th May 1911 that a dairy has been purchased.

x

Messrs. Burstow & Clements.

Have pleasure in announcing that they have recently sold the MARINA MODEL DAIRY and WORSHAM FARM DAIRY carried on by Messrs. Mannering and Percy J. Smith to MR. FRANK CABLE, a gentleman of many years’ dairy experience at Teddington, who will combine and continue the business at the previous premises on the Marina.

All milk and dairy products will be derived from the same excellent sources, the Worham and Hooe farms, and the deliveries, etc., will be as hitherto.

The public may therefore rely on obtaining the same high class dairy products as these businesses have supplied for so many years.

REVIEWED

The town of Bexhill
Bexhill is a seaside town in the county of East Sussex in South East England. It is located along the Sussex Coast and is located between the towns of Hastings and Eastbourne. In the late the Victorian era, Bexhill’s population experienced significant growth. In 1891, the population was 5,206, and by 1901, it had grown to 12,213. This increase was partly due to the development of the town as a seaside resort, with the construction of a sea wall in 1882.

Some of the other tradespeople in Bexhill around the time Frank Harry Cable owned the dairy.

MARINA MODEL DAIRY
What is known of the Marina Model Dairy, before Frank Harry Cable took over the ownership?

• 1895 June: It is reported Mr. A. Mannering ‘will shortly open the Marina Dairy, now being specially erected for him at the corner of Sackville Road’ [Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Friday June 7th 1895].
• 1895 August: During the third annual Bexhill Regatta in August 1895, the local newspaper reports that ‘Mr. Mannering, Marina Dairy, deserves a full meed of praise for his very ornate decorations’ .[Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Friday August 30th 1895].
• 1895 September: At a Swimming Fete at Bexhill ‘Mr. Mannering, of the Marina Dairy, supplied the refreshment. [Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Friday September 13th 1895].
• 1895 October: Mr. T. White, builder, who had a building contract for £885 with Mr. Mannering, of the Marina Dairy, appears before the Hastings Bankruptcy Court. [Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Friday October 11th 1895].
• 1905 January: An article in the local paper, under the heading ‘Distress in Bexhill‘ reports of a considerable increase in the number of applicants in need of relief from poverty. The Marina Dairy made a contribution of butter to the ‘Mayor’s Relief Fund‘. [Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Saturday January 14th 1905]. 
• 1905 January: An article in the local paper,  The Marina Dairy, reports that made a further contribution of butter, 10 lbs, to the ‘Mayor’s Relief Fund’. [Ref. The Bexhill Chronicle Saturday January 28th 1905]. 

From the left – an advertisement for the dairy from 30th August 1895, an advertisement, with a picture of the dairy, from 7th August 1896, an advertisement dated 8th January 1897 and one from 28th October 1899

MARINA MODEL DAIRY – A DESCRIPTION
Although this description of the dairy was written around 16 years before Frank Harry Cable took over the ownership of that business, it is a very vivid account of the dairy in which he had control for around 8 years.

The Bexhill Chronicle, Friday, August 2, 1895

THE MARINA MODEL DAIRY.

The handsome premises recently erected on the Marina, opposite the Coastguard Station, and styled “Marina House,” to the order of Mr. A.E. Mannering, (late of Castlenau, Barnes, and South Kensington), are now completed.

The ground floor is devoted to the first-class dairy business, which, under the title of the Marina Model Dairy, the proprietor has started.

It is intended to supply residents and visitors with pure milk, cream and butter, also eggs and poultry.

The house has been erected under the superintendence of the architect, Mr. Ward, Hastings, and is of a very good substantial character.

The front elevation, of several floors, is of pointed brick, with cement enrichments and coping. The dairy department is also very handsome. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with white, black and brown marbles.

The floor, including that of an inner apartment, which is connected with the front shop, but could easily be screened therefrom, is of concrete, covered with wood blocks, securing perfect dryness and great freedom from dust.

The walls of the inner room are covered with choice framed pictures, most of them engravings, chiefly coaching and sporting subjects, but including two capital pencil studies by Mr. Mannering’s son, Mr. J.A. Mannering.

Plants, &c., gracefully fill the front windows and also that in the rear, looking towards the yard. This window is intended to back with a fountain aquarium and fernery, which will present a very cool appearance.

Pretty little tables are spread here, and afterward afternoon teas and light refreshments are served. The first-floor rooms, with separate entrance, will also be utilised for the accommodation of visitors who may require private apartments for special luncheon, teas, etc.

The premises in the rear are replete with stabling and coach-house, and dairy outbuildings of the most approved type. Great care has been taken observe every sanitary precaution, ascertained to be so necessary as the result of modern scientific research.

There is a churning and butter house, and underground a milk and cream house for keeping purposes, and an apartment for properly cleaning utensils – a very important point for soundly-conducted dairy business.

Families are waited upon daily, and to this end handsome milk perambulators are employed, painted in the town colours, red, white, and green, and bearing fine brass engraved churns.

There can be no doubt that the Marine Model Dairy will succeed in gaining an honourable place amid our local business enterprises.

One point in connection with refreshment department deserves special mention. This is a provision of comfortable lavatory accommodation for ladies.

Altogether Marine House is an acquisition to the neighbourhood.

REVIEWED

Next Page: A Fire, an Award and but also charges for Harry