THE EASTHOPE FAMILYCompiled by Ron EasthopeThe Easthope Family lived in Wolverhampton from the 18th century onwards. They eventually established, in the old Grammar School in St. John's Street, a company which provided almost every item and every service which would be required for the interior decor of a Victorian residence. Then they also set up a large and successful cycle manufactory. In the early 20th century many members of the family emigrated, to Canada and New Zealand. It is from New Zealand that Ron Easthope sends this account of the family. All the images come from his family collection. 1: The Earliest Records Richard Easthope Richard was a son of Richard Easthope and Martha Gittings. His birth, on 3rd November 1754, is noted in the Broseley Parish registers. Richard married Sarah Jones in Sedgley, on 29th April 1776. Their son William's birth, on 19th May 1777 was registered at Broseley, but the births of their next 8 children were registered at St Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton. Richard Easthope worked in Wolverhampton as a brass-founder. He died on 16th March 1819 at the age of 65 yrs, and was buried at St Peter's Cemetery, Wolverhampton. In the 1827 Trade Directory, James Easthope, brass-founder, Bowling Green, Stafford Street, is mentioned. It seems likely that he was Richard's youngest son - he would have been 36 in 1827 - and presumably carried on his father's business. James died of consumption at the age of 46 and was buried at St Peter's Cemetery on 21st November 1837. George Easthope Another son, George, was born in 1785, and married Anne Shotton on 27th December 1807 in St John's Chapel, Wolverhampton. He established an upholsterery business in 1810. George is listed in the 1818 Trade Directory as having his business in Old Church-yard. The 1827 directory shows that by then he had moved his business to Cock St (later re-named Victoria Street). By 1833 the Trade Directory refers to him as cabinet maker and upholsterer. George and Anne had 5 children, George, Alfred, Emma, Caroline and Edwin. Caroline died in 1830 aged 15yrs. Emma married Samuel Norton Evans, who was a miller in St James' Square. They had a son Thomas who later emigrated to Ontario, Canada. George, the son, born in 1807, may have married. There is, in the St Peter's Church registers, a record of the marriage on 26th December 1828 of George Easthope to Elizabeth Johnson. Anne, the mother, died in Wolverhampton on 7th September 1833. The 1841 census lists George 33 (Paperhanger), Edwin 20 (Upholster) and Mary Newman 20 (female servant) as living in Cock Street, possibly at the same address as the business. Mary was the daughter of James and Ann Newman. Alfred Easthope Alfred, another of George's sons, was born in Wolverhampton in 1810.
He married Susannah Williams Boyle (born 1/2/1809) at St Pancras Parish
Chapel on 7/4/1836. One of the witnesses was Alfred's sister, Emma.
Alfred's business was clearly unsuccessful as he was declared bankrupt
in June 1849.
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