The Rook Family Tree

GRACE CHARLOTTE ROOK; was born 4th Qtr 1871 at Boughton. Grace was christened ? Died 20.09.1934 ?

Grace married AUSTIN JEMMETT 3rd Qtr 1895, registered at Faversham.

Austin was born on about 1870 at Faversham. He was christened ? His parents were Benjamin Jemmett and Eliza Ann Shrubsole. He drowned in May 1904 (details of death at the foot of this page).

Grace had a child a few years prior to her marriage; father unknown.

RYLAND EDWARD ROOK

Born 29.07.1891 at Boughton. Christened 06.09.1891 at Boughton.

Died 1st Qtr 1894 aged 2 years. Buried at Boughton church 17.03.1894.

Known Children of Austin and Grace are listed on the right.

CENSUS RETURNS for AUSTIN & GRACE JEMMETT:

1901 CENSUS: FAVERSHAM, KENT. 31 West Street, Faversham, Kent.

Mary Ann is the Grandmother on Grace's side, wife of Elijah Foreman.

Where's Austin? Austin was a fisherman, like his father and brothers. It may be that on the day of the census he was simply out to sea?

1911 CENSUS: FAVERSHAM, KENT. 9 Noah's Ark, Faversham.

Grace (Mrs!) Jemmett remarks that she has been married for 15 years, has had 4 children in total, 8 still living, 5 died. Slightly confusing! Her husband Austin has died (1904), there are 6 children with her; the comments on how many children she has had is very vague! There is also a male boarder with her who may be the Father to the 2 youngest children as Austin was already dead??

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. Saturday 7th May 1904.

SAD DEATH OF A FAVERSHAM FISHERMAN

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Mr W J Harris, County Coroner, inquest at the "Coal Exchange," the Quays, on Monday evening, on the body of Austin Jemmett, of 31, West Street, a fisherman employed as a watcher by the Faversham Oyster Company, who was found drowned early that morning.

Mr A M Packer was chosen foreman of the jury. Mr Isaac Dane, the foreman, represented the Oyster Company.

Walter John Jemmett, fisherman, of 15, Lower Brents stated that deceased was his brother. He was aged 35, and was a fisherman and dredgerman. He was married and had 5 children. Witness last saw him alive on Saturday morning at 9.30.

William Henry Owen, dredgerman, of 12, Whitstable Road (I lived at that address a few years ago!!), stated that about 10.20 on Sunday night he was at Harty Ferry hard in his boat. Deceased, who was also in his boat, went from the ferry in the direction of his watch boat on the Beacon Grounds oyster fishery, where he was employed as watchman. Witness wished him "Good-night." He was all right, and they had arranged to meet in the morning. It was a clear night, but a fresh breeze was blowing at the time direct against deceased. It would take him from twenty minutes to half an hour to get to his boat. About a quarter to eleven witnessed missed him and went in search of him. He rowed in the lee shore and there saw the deceased's boat in the mud with no oars in it. He rowed to the hard and got assistance. Going further up the river he found the oars in the mud about 200 or 300 yards apart. He rowed back the the ferry and went into Faversham and reported the matter to the deceased's brothers. He continued the search for the deceased till about 7.45 that morning and found him when the tide ebbed off the banks, laying face downwards. There were no signs of any struggle. He thought it was probable that deceased lost an oar and in shifting his seat to row with the stern was overbalanced.

Edward Quarrington, a labourer, of 30, West Street, stated that on the previous day he was with deceased fishing from 3.30pm. till a quarter past ten, when he left him at Harty Ferry hard to go to his watch boat. He was sober and quite capable of rowing a boat.

The Coroner, in summing up, said it must have been a pure accident, as there was no suggestion of foul play.

The Jury at once returned a verdict of "Accidental Death".

The deceased had been a member of the Faversham Oyster Company practically all his life, and great sympathy has been expressed by his colleagues for the widow and family.

Harty Ferry 2012.

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