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Erskine Piper

Erskine Piper[1]

Male 1852 - 1919  (66 years)


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All

  • Name Erskine Piper  [2, 3]
    Birth 19 Nov 1852  Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Gender Male
    Residence From 19 Nov 1852 to 3 Mar 1868  Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 4, 5, 6] 
    Census 7 Apr 1861  Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Age: 8y 
    Occupation 7 Apr 1861  [4] 
    student 
    Occupation From 1868 to 1875  Chiddingstone, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 8] 
    trade assistant 
    Apprenticeship From 4 Mar 1868 to 3 Mar 1872  Chiddingstone, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    • for 4 years with William Brook and Richard Crandall
    Residence From 4 Mar 1868 to 3 Mar 1872  Grocers shop, Chiddingstone, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Census 2 Apr 1871  Grocers shop, Chiddingstone, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Age: 18y 
    Census 3 Apr 1881  The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Age: 28y 
    Occupation 3 Apr 1881  The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    grocer's assistant 
    Residence 3 Apr 1881  The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Age: 28y 
    Occupation 15 Jun 1881  Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    grocer 
    Residence 15 Jun 1881  Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [10, 11] 
    Occupation From 21 Jun 1881 to 6 Aug 1886  Matfield Green, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [12, 13, 14, 15] 
    grocer and draper 
    • jointly ran with brother Alfred Piper
    Residence From 21 Jun 1881 to 6 Aug 1886  Matfield Green, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [16, 17] 
    Occupation From 6 Aug 1886 to Sep 1914  Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31] 
    grocer and draper 
    • Fact Flags: Preferred
    Residence From 6 Aug 1886 to 6 Sep 1914  Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [32] 
    Census 5 Apr 1891  Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [27] 
    Age: 38y 
    Census 31 Mar 1901  Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [28] 
    Age: 48y 
    Census 2 Apr 1911  Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [29] 
    Age: 58y 
    Residence From 7 Sep 1914 to 22 Mar 1919  Matfield House, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38] 
    Will 1 Mar 1915  Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [39] 
    Death 22 Mar 1919  Matfield House, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [30, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45] 
    Age: 66y 
    Cause: Heart disease, broncho-pneumonia, syncope 
    Grave Location From 27 Mar 1919  All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [45] 
    58G 
    Occupation Staplehurst Baptist Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [46, 47] 
    deacon 
    Burial 27 Mar 1919  All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 35, 40, 41, 43, 45, 48, 49, 50] 
    • grave location is 5 E10
    Probate 6 Jun 1919  [39, 43, 51] 
    Religion Baptist  [52] 
    Person ID I104  jenneratons
    Last Modified 22 Apr 2025

    Father George Piper,   b. 17 Apr 1814, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Dec 1886, Fletching Street, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years)
    Mother Hannah Eldridge,   b. Cal 11 Sep 1824, Mayfield, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Oct 1917, Matfield House, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 93 years)
    Marriage 20 Sep 1849  St Annes, Lewes, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [53] 
    Family ID F160  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Catherine Adelaide Barden Best,   b. 11 Jun 1850, Chiddingstone, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Aug 1882, Lower Green, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 32 years)
    Marriage 15 Jun 1881  Holy Trinity, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    • Witnessed by Richard Barden and Anne Packham Foreman
      Witness Role: Witness: Name: Richard Barden
      Witness Role: Witness: Name: Anne Packham Forman
    Family ID F292  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 1 Aug 2023

    Family 2 Mary Jane Prall,   b. 5 Aug 1857, Brenchley, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Feb 1946, Milestone House, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years)
    Marriage 6 Apr 1885  St Luke’s Church, Matfield Green, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    • Witnessed by John Albert Prall and Clara Amelia Prall
    Notes 
    • In 1892 they owned a drapers and grocers shop in the High Street, Staplehurst in 1891, employing 3 staff.
      Sarah Wheadon, servant, single, 18, as a drapers assistant, born in Wadhurst.
      John H Russell, servant, single, 23, as a grocers assistant, born in Egerton, Kent.
      Jesse Skinner, apprentice, single, 17, grocers apprentice, born (illegible).
    Children 
     1. Henry Isaac Piper,   b. 10 Jul 1891, Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Sep 1985, Hawkhurst Cottage Hospital, Hawkhurst, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 94 years)
    Photos
    A1781    		A1781
    Media Date: ABT 1910
    Keywords: archive photograph
    Staplehurst shop    		Staplehurst shop
    Keywords: archive photograph
    Family ID F159  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Jun 2024

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 19 Nov 1852 - Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 19 Nov 1852 to 3 Mar 1868 - Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 8y - 7 Apr 1861 - Chapel House, Back Lane, Mayfield, Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - trade assistant - From 1868 to 1875 - Chiddingstone, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsApprenticeship - From 4 Mar 1868 to 3 Mar 1872 - Chiddingstone, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 4 Mar 1868 to 3 Mar 1872 - Grocers shop, Chiddingstone, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 18y - 2 Apr 1871 - Grocers shop, Chiddingstone, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 28y - 3 Apr 1881 - The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - grocer's assistant - 3 Apr 1881 - The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Age: 28y - 3 Apr 1881 - The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - grocer - 15 Jun 1881 - Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 15 Jun 1881 - Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 15 Jun 1881 - Holy Trinity, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - grocer and draper - From 21 Jun 1881 to 6 Aug 1886 - Matfield Green, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 21 Jun 1881 to 6 Aug 1886 - Matfield Green, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 6 Apr 1885 - St Luke’s Church, Matfield Green, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - grocer and draper - From 6 Aug 1886 to Sep 1914 - Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 6 Aug 1886 to 6 Sep 1914 - Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 38y - 5 Apr 1891 - Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 48y - 31 Mar 1901 - Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 58y - 2 Apr 1911 - Crampton House, 46 High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 7 Sep 1914 to 22 Mar 1919 - Matfield House, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill - 1 Mar 1915 - Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Age: 66y,Cause: Heart disease, broncho-pneumonia, syncope - 22 Mar 1919 - Matfield House, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsGrave Location - 58G - From 27 Mar 1919 - All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - deacon - - Staplehurst Baptist Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 27 Mar 1919 - All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    A0557    		A0557
    E T F Goodwin
    The City Photographic Studio
    15 St Paul's Churchyard, e c
    & at 63 Anerley Road
    Crystal Palace

    handwritten on verso in H Piper's hand
    "Erskine Piper as a young man 1860 - 1870"
    Media Date: ABT 1879
    Keywords: archive photograph
    A0557    		A0557
    Media Date: ABT 1879
    Keywords: archive photograph
    A0575    		A0575
    "About 1912"
    Erskine Piper
    Jemima Blunt (& cat)
    Miss Smith
    Mrs Hannah Piper (in chair)
    Mary Jane Piper (& bike)
    Harry Piper (Douglas m/cycle)
    Media Date: EST 1914
    Keywords: archive photograph
    A0575    		A0575
    Media Date: EST 1914
    Keywords: archive photograph
    A1781    		A1781
    J Thomas "Phos' Studio, Staplehurst

    handwritten on verso in H Piper's hand "Erskine Piper, Mary Jane Piper, Harry Piper"
    Media Date: ABT 1910
    Keywords: archive photograph
    A1781    		A1781
    Media Date: ABT 1910
    Keywords: archive photograph
    Staplehurst shop    		Staplehurst shop
    Keywords: archive photograph
    Staplehurst shop    		Staplehurst shop
    Keywords: archive photograph

  • Notes 
    • Jointly ran grocery and drapery business in High Street, Staplehurst, Kent, from 1 January 1887.
      Alfred was given £845.18.0 for his share by Erskine on 1 May 1879
      They bought the business from Mr Nathan Weston. [25]
    • On May 1 1897 he bought his brother's share of the Staplehurst shop for £845.18.0
    • Memories of Mr Erskine Piper at Staplehurst about 1912 by an ex-employee.

      "He used to blink all the time. He was a thorough gentleman and used to bow to the customers when they left the shop."

      The writer was Sydney Hooker born 1898 so he would have been aged 14. Erskine got him a job with his brother Alfred at Hawkhurst.

  • Sources 
    1. [S93] Marriage certificate of Erskine Piper and Mary Jane Prall, 6 April 1885, F0896.

    2. [S11] Birth certificate of Erskine Piper, 19 November 1852, (GRO for England), F0895.

    3. [S865] Family Tree H Piper, F0415.

    4. [S164] Census 1861 Back Lane Mayfield, Sussex RG9/574/173/5, 7 Apr 1861.

    5. [S258] George Piper, Letter from George Piper to George Spencer, 21 March 1865, 1.0540.
      The present chapel was built in 1873. Pastor Philip Kinderman tells me that Dr Nicholas Stone was the owner of the land on which the chapel stood pre-1865. He was a rather idiosyncratic man and would only have certain visiting pastors preach. The usual paster came from some distance each month to speak. When he became too ill to travel the chapel suffered from lack of use. A group from the congregation offered to buy the chapel and land from Dr Stone in 1865, who refused. The next day he was found dead in his chair. His estate was left to his daughter who auctioned the chapel off in Tunbridge Wells. The congregation bought the chapel and grounds in 1865, this would explain why George Piper writes to someone (presumably an executor or solicitor) indicating that he will leave by September 1865.

    6. [S222] Mansucript Record Document: Apprenticeship Indenture for Erskine Piper, F0004.

    7. [S101] Census 1871 Grocers shop Chiddingstone, Kent RG10/925/74/7, 2 Apr 1871.

    8. [S2847] Obituary in Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph, 5 April 1919.

    9. [S3074] Census 1881 The Village, Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent, England RG11/910/45/12 (Richard Moore), (RG11/910/45/12), 3 Apr 1881 (Reliability: 2).

    10. [S1140] Marriage certificate of Erskine Piper and Catherine Adelaide Barden Best, 15 June 1881, F0750.

    11. [S263] GRO England, Marriage Certificate (copy) Piper - Best.

    12. [S703] Inventory of fixtures and fittings of Matfield Green shop 1881, F0281.

    13. [S1818] City Directory: Kelly's Directory of Kent, 1882, October 1882 (Reliability: 2).
      Matfield
      Commercial
      Piper, Erskine grocer and agent for W & A Gilbey, wine and spirit merchants

    14. [S1819] City Directory: Pike's Weald of Kent & Romney Marsh Directory, 1884-85, 1885 (Reliability: 3).
      Matfield
      Piper, Erskine, grocer and wine and spirit merchant
      Piper, Erskine advert 1885      		 Piper, Erskine advert 1885
      Keywords: Document


    15. [S264] Death Certificate (Piper, Catherine Adelaide), F0750.

    16. [S1013] Papers relating to Matfield Green shop, F0551.

    17. [S437] Manuscript Record Document: Loan agreement, F0026.

    18. [S726] Transfer of business to E Piper 1886, F0304.

    19. [S1366] memorandum of agreement to purchase house, F0707.

    20. [S813] memorandum of agreement re cornice of wndow 1882, F0364.

    21. [S1365] Memorandum of agreement for right of way, F0706.

    22. [S1598] Letterhead for Erskine Piper 1900, F0780.

    23. [S1888] News item in Kent & Sussex Courier, 22 September 1905.

    24. [S1363] Statement of business transfer from E Piper to J Dann, F0704.

    25. [S219] Memorandum of agreement by Erskine Piper and Allfred Piper, 15 August 1887, F????.

    26. [S607] Inventory of Staplehurst Shop 1886, F0184.

    27. [S103] Census 1891 High Street Staplehurst, Kent RG12/684//129/6, 5 Apr 1891.

    28. [S91] Census 1901 High Street Staplehurst, Kent RG13/762/46/6, 31 Mar 1901.

    29. [S327] Census 1911 Staplehurst, Maidstone, Kent RG14PN4113 RG78PN159 RD51 SD1 ED10 SN40, 2 Apr 1911.

    30. [S2456] Transcript of Death certificate of Erskine Piper, 22 March 1919, (343).

    31. [S223] Inland Revenue Estate Duty form 1918, F0030.

    32. [S1783] Diary/Journal: Piper, Erskine - Personal Journal of Erskine Piper (addition of Henry Piper after 1919) Vol 2 (1908 - 1923) (Reliability: 3).

    33. [S1349] Agreement to build Matfield House, F0690.

    34. [S966] Certification of safe document ownership 1917, F0508.

    35. [S15] Memorial Card for Erskine Piper 1919, F0051.

    36. [S724] Solicitors bill for selling Matfield House, Staplehurst 1923, F0302.

    37. [S696] Letters concning estate of George Piper 1917, F0274.

    38. [S225] Solicitors letter re George Piper (decd).

    39. [S1364] Probate on will 1919, F0705.

    40. [S793] headstone for E Piper and M J Piper.

    41. [S866] Family records from tomestones H Piper, F0416.

    42. [S972] thank you card for sympathy 1919, F0514.

    43. [S1136] Information from Staplehurst History Society, F0644.

    44. [S1783] Diary/Journal: Piper, Erskine - Personal Journal of Erskine Piper (addition of Henry Piper after 1919) Vol 2 (1908 - 1923).

    45. [S3321] Database Online: The Staplehurst Society - Survey of Staplehurst Graveyard (Reliability: 2).
      58G. Headstone with kerb, inscribed on East: metal lettering, clear but worn: sound, in situ.
      In / Loving Memory / of / ERSKINE, / the beloved husband of / MARY JANE PIPER, / died 22nd March 1919 aged 66
      years. / "And I heard a voice from Heaven, saying / unto me, write, blessed are the dead which / die in the Lord from
      henceforth, yea saith / the spirit, that they may rest from their labours / and their works do follow them". Rev. XIV. 13.
      Fearless he entered Jordan's flood,
      At peace with Heaven he closed his eyes.
      His only trust was Jesu's blood
      In sure and certain hope to rise. / XLNT /
      Also the above mentioned / MARY JANE PIPER, / who died 27th Feb. 1946, aged 88 years. / "In Thee, 0 Lord, do I put
      my trust. / My times are in Thy hand".
      NB: By 24/9/99 replaced by grey stone headstone, inscribed lettering.
      ERSKINE PIPER / 1853 -1919 / and his wife / MARY JANE / 1857 - 1946 / Blessed are the dead / which die in the
      Lord.
      PR: grave 5E10: Erskine Piper of Matfield House, Staplehurst, buried 27 Mar. 1919 aged 66.

    46. [S1613] Announcement in Kent and Sussex Courier, 4 April 1919, 4 Jul 1919, page 9 (Reliability: 2).
      STAPLEHURST. FUNERAL. —The funeral of Mr. Erskine Piper, of Hatfield House, and late of High street, took place Thursday afternoon,The deceased gentleman, who was well known, carried on a business asgrocer and draper for about 24 years. He was also a member of the School Management Committee and a Parish Councillor. The service. which was held at the Baptist Chapel, of which deceased was a deacon, was conducted the Rev. Kirby, and was largely attended. The coffin afterwards was conveyed to the Parish Churchyard for interment. Blinds were drawn throughout the village as a token of respect shown by the inhabitants to the deceased. For some years Mr. Piper lived Matfield Green, afterwards removing to Staplehurst. The service was attended by the members of the School Management Committee and the Parish Councillors. Mr. Jull. President, attended on behalf of the Tunbridge Wells. Sevenoaks and District Grocers' Association, of which the deceased was a member. There were no flowers, by request.

    47. [S1612] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, (Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser), 24 Jul 1931, p17 (Reliability: 2).

    48. [S2595] Parish Register for Burial of Erskine Piper, All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, England, 27 March 1919.

    49. [S1613] Announcement in Kent and Sussex Courier, 4 April 1919, 4 Apr 1919, p9 (Reliability: 2).
      STAPLEHURST FUNERAL —The funeral of Mr. Erskine Piper, of Hatfield House, and late of High street, took place Thursday afternoon,The deceased gentleman, who was well known, carried on a business asgrocer and draper for about 24 years. He was also a member of the School Management Committee and a Parish Councillor. The service. which was held at the Baptist Chapel, of which deceased was a deacon, was conducted the Rev. Kirby, and was largely attended. The coffin afterwards was conveyed to the Parish Churchyard for interment. Blinds were drawn throughout the village as a token of respect shown by the inhabitants to the deceased. For some years Mr. Piper lived Matfield Green, afterwards removing to Staplehurst. The service was attended by the members of the School Management Committee and the Parish Councillors. Mr. Jull. President, attended on behalf of the Tunbridge Wells. Sevenoaks and District Grocers' Association, of which the deceased was a member. There were no flowers, by request.

    50. [S1800] News item in Kent and Sussex Courier, 24 July 1919 (Reliability: 2).

    51. [S1357] Note on bank box contents, F0698.

    52. [S268] Interview with Jesse Piper (3/6/2007).

    53. [S216] Marriage certificate of George Piper and Hannah Eldridge, 20 September 1849, F0892.


 

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