A TRIBUTE TO MY GORRINGE FAMILY

Thomas Gorringe was born in the Parish of St Annes, Soho, London. in 1813
He met Margaret Cocker from Potters Bar,
Thomas was a showman, and amongst his acts he did feats of horsemanship
Under the patronage of their Royal Highnesses The Prince Regent and The Duke of York,
He was performing at Westminster Bridge, London, with "Astleys"
Atleys Ampitheatre was burnt down on the 8th June 1841, It is assumed that this is when Thomas and Margaret travelled North to Scotland.
It is apparant that Thomas Gorringe was still a showman, as in documentation on one of his childrens birth certificates it states Comedien,
Sons Alfred and Thomas and daughter Margaret were all born in Scotland,
By 1844 Thomas and Margaret were living at Sunderland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Thomas by this time owned his own travelling booth, Named the Adelphi Theatre,Cornmarket.
In 1845 Thomas was left a legacy, and purchased the establishment known as the Shakespeare Tavern
which was situated on the corner of Grey Street and Shakespeare Street,
adjacent to the Theatre Royal
Newcastle upon Tyne
He refurbished the establishment and no expense was spared on the decorations
The handsome crystal bar was known as the finest outside of London.
During his time at the Shakespeare children Diana,Jessie,Jane, Suzannah,Margaret,Francis, John,George ( My Great Grandfather) Frances and Penelope were born.
Sadly Thomas died on the 22nd June 1858 at the age of 45
a tribute to him was recorded in The Old Newcastle Tradesmen newspaper
It read.....
Mr Gorringe will be remembered as a remarkably kind and generous man
especially to those of the "Sock and Buskin"
Who were in poverty and needed help
and none knew better than he the frequent and painful struggles of the poor stroller
George Gorringe My Great Grandfather
was born on the 2nd February 1854
He became an engineman and Married Elizabeth Ann Spoors
on 14th February 1874
Their first son was born on the 21st November 1875 and second son George was born in the Westgate Union Workhouse Newcastle upon Tyne in 1876
No further records can be found of the whereabouts of Elizabeth,
it is assumed she must have died shortly after George Junior's birth
George Senior Married Margaret Emma Blake, on the 11th July 1880, at St Cuthberts Church, Peterlee,
on the certificate it states George as a bachelor
Margarets parents were James and Elizabeth Blake,
who owned the public house known as "The Red Lion" Lipton Vale, Plympton, Devon
Margaret Gorringe Nee Cocker was living with George and Margaret at Charlotte Street,Gateshead
when she passed away at the age of 79 in 1891
George and Margaret's family continued to grow,
Louisa Maud was born in 1882
John in 1885
Alfred also born in 1885
Elizabeth was born in 1887
Emma and Margaret were both born in 1889 although Margaret died in 1901
Minnie Blake and Lucy were both born in 1890 but Lucy died in infancy
James and William were born in 1892
Lucy Adelaide (My Grandmother) was born in 1893
James was also born in 1893
Thomas Gorringe son of George and Elizabeth married Annie Oxley, at the Weslyan Methodist Chapel,Hexham, Northumberland on the 5th July 1902
My Grandmother Lucy Adelaide married Joseph Edward Williams,
on the 31st May 1913
at Chester Le Street
Lucy and Joseph had 3 children
Joseph born 1913, Margaret born 1916 and Lily ( My Mum) was born in 1919
Lily clearly had ambitions to follow in her entertaining family's footsteps
and was a member of the Corona School of Dance and Theatrical Arts
In 1931 George and Margaret were living with Daughter Lucy and their family at Urban Gardens, New Washington
George passed away on the 4th September 1931
Shortly after Joseph travelled south seeking work,
once he was settled down south, He sent for his family and Margaret and they settled in Beckenham, Kent.
Lucy and Joseph's son Joseph Edward Married Mary Simpson on Christmas Day 1937 alongside his sister Margaret who Married William Hays Longstaff on the same day
at St James Church, Beckenham, Kent,
Joseph Junior had 2 children a daughter Mary junior, and a son Edward.
Margaret had one son Peter who passed away in infancy
and a daughter Margaret junior
Margaret Gorringe passed away on the 6th February 1943 and is buried at Beckenham Cemetary
In 1947 Lily married her childhood sweetheart Bernard John Leach
after 8 years apart they rekindled their love when he returned from active service with the Royal Air Force
They married on the 6th September 1947
1951 a daughter for Bernard and Lily was born,
Kathryn Mary
Lucy Adelaide Williams passed away at Beckenham Hospital on the 16th November 1959 and the age of 66
Joseph joined Lucy in March 1964
Both were cremated at Beckenham Crematorium, and their ashes scattered
In June 1966 Mary Williams daughter of Joseph Edward Junior married Bryn Lewis, at Bridgend, South Wales
The following year Margaret Longstaff married Michael Wride in March at St Johns Church, Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent.
1970 son Edward of Joseph Edward and Mary married Linda
at Bridgend, South Wales
Kathryn married in August 1975
Sadly Bernard father of Kathryn and husband of Lily passed away on 28th September 1976
William Hays Longstaff passed away on the 28th December 1982
Kathryn had 2 sons James born 1978 and Daniel born 1982
Lily Leach passed away on the 2nd May 2000 aged 80