Joseph John Wade

The family story is that Joseph worked as a Butler at Montgomery Street, Hove - where he met the maid Susannah, and they subsequently married.

The truth of the situation is somewhat more obscure. In 1901 Joseph and Susannah are married, and living with their children at 102 Ellen Street, Hove - unfortunately this is now a carpark. It is however only a short walk away from Montgomery Street. Joseph however lists his occupation as Stableman/Groom. This is continued on to the 1911 census where the family is still at the same address in Ellen Street, and he lists himself as Horsekeeper.

This would seem to indicate he wasn't a Butler as 1910 is apparently around the time he died (refuting this though is the fact we still do find him filling in the 1911 census). He may however have been a Butler previous to 1901 - as what he is doing then is unclear, as he doesn't seem to appear before his wedding in 1891.

At this time immediately prior to the wedding (which occured towards the end of 1891), the 1891 census shows Susannah working for the SMITH family at 39 Brunswick Place. A higher class district, with several listed servants (at least Google Streetview seems to indicate the area is certainly posher than Montgomery). Which also indicates Joseph and Susannah didn't meet at a Montgomery Street address.

Interestingly we also find birth records which would seem to indicate that Ethel Elizabeth (the family ancestor and eldest child), was infact born outside of marriage. This would likely explain why Ethel was sent far away to Bristol for the following 10 years to be in the care of Rachel (Rachael Wade), her widowed grandmother. This story of her living with Rachel cannot be verified however - as the period falls neatly between the two censuses - and the 1901 census shows her living with the family in Ellen Street. Interestingly Susannah has no listed occupation in 1901.