Memories of my maternal grandparents wouldn’t be complete without grandmother Matilda Thorne.
MY GRANDMOTHER – MATILDA DEXTER (nee Thorne) (1883-1952)
Matilda Thorne, my grandmother, was born 8th October 1883 in Sparkford in the county of Somerset, England.
At the age of 8, she lived in Sparkford in 1891. Matilda was just nine years of age at the time of Edward VII`s Coronation a year later.
Residing in Somerset (Sutton Montis) in 1901 aged 18, records show Matilda was a servant to the ‘Head of the House).
Matilda married Ernest Walter Dexter on the 14th Jan 1911 aged 27. On the following 2nd April 1911, the couple resided in Egham just prior to their daughter and only child Grace Edith (my mother), birth on the 4th April 1911.
Matilda lived in Egham at the time the Women’s Suffrage movement turned militant.
In 1939 records show them living at 52, Claremont Road, Egham.
She died at the age of 68 on the 8th August 1952 at number 52, Claremont Road. Unfortunately I have only a limited recollection of her, as she passed away when I was just 9 years of age.
Connie Dexter Spicer is a long-time family history buff. Her paternal grandmother got her started when she was a young teen. She took a high school class leading her to collect data and keepsakes over the years. At family reunions, she was the one that collected the family trees.
She built her family history well past her grandparents and great grandparents on both sides of her family. Like many amateur historians, she ventured out to courthouses and cemeteries, learned what to look for, collected documents and photos.
At the start, her family tree was just over 80 people. It soon had proven relatives from the US to England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Turkey, Australia, Germany and even Japan. It became an international family history project.
A New Family History Goal
Her mother, Karen Dexter, asked whether she had any Revolutionary War Patriots in her lineage.
Her mother, Karen Dexter, asked whether she had any Revolutionary War Patriots in her lineage. Karen wanted to join the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) before it was too late. She views it as a great honor to be part of the society.
That request led Connie to research potential patriots. Although not familiar with the process, she got help from her cousin, Barb Johns, long involved with the society. Barb identified Patriot Ensign Mitchell, Pvt., of New York.
So, Connie pulled together the data proving hers and her mother’s lineage to Ensign Mitchell. Both she and her mother were approved just weeks later.
Now focused on building the stories of her people, she researches their lives through newspapers, Google and DNA sources. She hopes sharing the stories as part of her blogs encourage the younger folks in her life to take over one day.
Work Life
Connie’s background is in arts/media. She’s been a disc jockey, AV producer and podcaster. She still maintains blogs in multiple family genealogy websites for her and her husband, David’s families.
Between them are 6 grown kids and 8 grandkids. They enjoy karaoke, photography and hiking together when they can get away.
You can read her blogs at DexterGenealogy.com, OurSpicerFamily.com or hear the first episodes of her podcast “Speaking in Relative Terms” on the DexterGenealogy website.
As promised some years ago when this site was first established I am posting this history of Staines, where most of the Dexter family have ties and links.
I have heavily edited a work entitled “Staines Historical Walks” into what I hope is an easy and informative read on the history of Staines. [https://sites.google.com/site/staineshistoricalwalks/home]
Staines Bridge circa 1799
A History Of Staines
Roman Days
Staines traces its history back to at least the time of the Romans and it may even go back further into antiquity to around 3000 BC and a Neolithic settlement at what is now Yeoveney Farm on the edge of Staines Moor.
The third Roman conquest of Britain began in the summer of AD 43 whilst Emperor Claudius was ruling the vast Roman Empire. The Romans knew Britain had valuable sources of badly needed raw materials for its growing Empire. Aulus Plautius a respected Senator and General led the invasion. He restored Verica to his lands around Silchester, having lost them soon after the failed second invasion several years earlier.
The Romans wanted to build a road from Silchester to London. They chose Staines (AD Pontes as it was known then) to be the crossing point. Both sides of the River Thames held gravel deposits there and not alluvial soils found elsewhere along the river. This would help to provide firm foundations on either side for the bridge. By all estimates, Roman’s built the first bridge about the invasion year AD 43.
Map of Staines 1761
AD Pontes actually means ‘at the bridges’ which would indicate that there was more than the one bridge in the locality at the time. This reference may well be for one or more bridges over the River Colne as it approached its confluence with the Thames.
The bridge at AD Pontes would be the only one upstream of London for many centuries and obviously, this had a big influence on the surrounding area during Roman times.
Saxons Migrate In
After the Romans left these shores (c410), the Saxon farming people from northern Europe began to migrate here. They co-existed with the local Romano-Britons.
Saxons divided each county up into separate sections known as “hundreds”. Staines, at that time, was in Middlesex and the town and the areas north and east became known as the Spelthorne Hundred. It was one of the six ‘hundreds’ of the county. The Spelthorne Hundred also included Feltham, Hampton, Hanworth, Stanwell, Sunbury and Teddington. From this time many of the local towns in the borough took their names.
What we know as the Anglo-Saxon era in British history lasted from c550 until 1066.
St Marys 1815
Early Christian Influence
During this time, Christianity spread throughout the country. The Church in England founded its base at Canterbury, and records state the first church on the site of St Mary’s at Staines existed as early as 685 AD.
What we know about early Anglo-Saxon Britain comes mainly from two sources, the writings of a cleric named the Venerable Bede (672 – 735) and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (late 9th century). The first recorded mention of Staines is from a Saxon Charter of 969. Also, towards the end of the Saxon period, British History Online states that the “Danish army crossed the River at Staines in 1009 in order to avoid an English force assembling in London”.
The Norman Invasion
The Normans invaded Britain in 1066, defeating England’s last Saxon king, Harold, at the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror had won the English crown. He became William I of England. Norman kings controlled this country thereafter for many years.
The Domesday Book and Growth of Staines
The earliest recordings of the population of Staines come from the Domesday Book, completed in 1086. This was the record of the great survey of everything in most parts of England and some of Wales. It was instigated by William the Conqueror and was a bit like the “Census” is today.
The book stated at Staines were 140 households, made up of 16 villagers, 58 smallholders, 12 slaves, 8 cottagers and 46 burgesses. They considered it a “very large” settlement at the time. However, during Roman Times, the town of Staines – as an important crossing of the River Thames – seems to suggest a much larger population.
The Roman Ad Pontes model now in Spelthorne Museum, was built on information obtained from archaeological finds. It shows a substantial town at the time 150 AD.
We cannot understate the importance of the Rivers Colne and Wraysbury in Staines’ development. These two rivers provided the power to run mills in the area back to at least the Roman era. The Domesday Book mentions six mills at Staines and after this there are records for mills through the centuries. Mills provided wealth, influence and work. They attracted people to the area and helped make it prosper.
There were at least two gravel islands on which the town was situated during this period. The first is the area around the church, and the other around what is now the bottom of the High Street.
Market Square on market day
A Market Defines Staines, a Stone Names It
It was soon after Magna Carta when a market in Staines was first recorded; “In 1218 the Sheriff of Middlesex… ordered… that Staines market was henceforward held on Friday, instead of Sunday.” This implies the community held a market there prior to the announcement.
At this time records claim Staines developed into a prosperous market town still centred in the area around St Mary’s Church. The market at Staines’ continued for almost seven centuries until 1890. It moved location at times, but was really important to the town throughout these years.
London Stone
In 1285 a boundary stone, named the London Stone, was placed on the riverbank at Staines and near to the bridge. Archeologists believe the stone dates back to Roman Times and previously used as an altar.
When placed here, it marked the highest point along the Thames where a tide could be detected. It also marked the Corporation of the City of London’s limit of jurisdiction on the river and the point to which they could collect taxes.
The Corporation gained these rights in 1197 by buying them from King Richard I who needed money to finance his involvement in the 3rd Crusade. The name “Staines” is derived from the word “stone” or “stones”. Some sources claim this comes from the London Stone but there are other possible sources.
The Tudors and Oliver Cromwell
In Tudor Times, Henry VIII often passed through Staines on his way to Windsor Castle. Many believe Anne Boleyn sometimes stayed in the town so they could meet during their affair. This whilst Henry awaited an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
During the English Civil War (1642 – 1651) the town was occupied by royalist troops and later by parliamentary forces. The landowners here sided mainly with the king, but many suffered the consequences under Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth.
Beyond the Middle Ages
From Saxon times to about 1700, Staines, although hugely important as a central hub, was basically what we would term today a small settlement surrounded by farming communities.
The start of the 1700’s saw the growth of the coaching era in England. Staines was on the main route south to the southeast and just one day’s journey from London.
bush inn and staines bridge c1829
This proved a lucrative business for the town and coaching inns and other related industries began to spring up. Within 100 years there were around 90 coaches through the town daily and by now there were many inns to cater for them. It meant stabling, fresh horses, overnight accommodation, provisions and much more.
It also meant the town began to grow in importance again and with the increase in jobs available, more families moved in from the surrounding areas. By 1800 the area that is now known as Spelthorne had a population of about 5,350. However, with the coming of the railway in 1848 the coaching era went into decline, but to any town at the time, the railway meant more prosperity and opened up many more new opportunities.
Tourism Remains An Attraction
Soon after the opening of Staines Station, the population increased to almost 8,000. Staines was also seen as a riverside town in the countryside, a place to relax and enjoy clean air away from the sprawl of the growing London city.
Staines West station
Day excursion tickets from London were introduced and Staines became a popular riverside resort. The railway also meant that goods could be easily transported around the country and to sea ports for export. Local businesses such as the breweries and mills thrived and new ones opened. With the opening and rapid growth of industries such as the Lino (linoleum) factory and Lagonda the population also grew, and by 1931 had increased to 34,000.
Pre and Post World War II
After the outbreak of WW2, many people moved here from East London to avoid German Bombs. By 1941, over 45,000 lived in the borough, but this was soon to take a new turn and increase more rapidly.
In 1944. the Government had started to construct a large military airport just north of Staines at Heathrow. The war finished a year later, but the Government continued to build Heathrow, as a civil airport for domestic, cargo and international transport. The airport provided many jobs and attracted an influx of people to the areas around it.
Homes and retail outlets were built to house and provide for the increasing population. The community increased other services to provide for the growing numbers living here. Industrial estates also grew up around the airport. The population by 1951 had increased to almost 60,000, by 1961 to over 76,000 and 1971 to 96,500.
Spelthorne reached its peak in population around 1971, and then decreased gradually until 2001. The population was 90,400 at that time. Since then, Heathrow has increased capacity, building the huge Terminal 5. The current redevelopment of other terminals and the growth of Staines as a major retail centre attracts more people back to the area. The 2011 census showed a population growth to 95,600 – now close to the peak of 1971.
Staines Today
The 20th century also saw huge changes to the lands in and around Staines. Staines was rich with deposits of gravel and water needed for the increasing population of London and surrounding areas. The gravel is important for building roads and other structures.
Up to this time a few rivers flowed through Spelthorne . Only a small percentage of water covered the land.
Over time, the gravel was dug out and replaced by large reservoirs and gravel pits. Those gravel pits soon filled up with water and became lakes. Consequently, Spelthorne is now one of the most water-covered boroughs in the country.
Bridge over the river Colne on Staines Moor
If you would like more information on Staines and its' history, consider joining the Facebook page "Staines, Egham & Englefield Green Appreciation Group" to see photos and learn more history of the area. It is a private group, so you'll need to answer questions about your interest in the area.
I know little about Terri’s birth father so she provided this information about her Arnold Family.
“‘Hey Connie, I tried to organize these notes the best I could. I’m literally working 50-60 hour weeks so I don’t have much spare time. Luckily I’m also able to work from home, so at least I get to see my family sometimes for dinner!
I did want to get this to you though. The more I read, the more intrigued I got. Of course, there’s no way to prove if the “Nordyke – Peter the Great” connection is true. However, there is enough information out there to assume that Peter married a dutch widow and they bore a son.
Arnold side Family tree
Marriage license of Stephen H Nordyke and Rebecca Perkins
Another Nordyke Connection
Stories and lineage of Nordyke family Part 1
Stories and lineage of Nordyke family Part 1
Stories and lineage of Nordyke family Part 2
Stories and lineage of Nordyke family Part 3
Stories and lineage of Nordyke family Part 4
Frank Henry Nordyke connection to Foote family
Peter’s mother refused to recognize the marriage and made Peter move back to Russia. The widow stayed behind to raise her son. We don’t know the name of the son. We only know the name of his son (Peter the Great’s grandson) who is Stephen Henry Nordyke. The story we had in the Arnold family was a child that was named “Micajah” was found floating in a dyke in Holland by the dyke keeper. The dyke keeper raised him as his own.
Who knows the real story?? Maybe no one.'”
The Stubblefield Family
“‘On my grandmother’s family line (Lorraine Eva Stubblefield) you will find that her older brother was married to Goldie Presley, the cousin of Elvis Presley.
I thought that was interesting too. I didn’t think they had any children, but I might be wrong. It looks like they had two?'”
Stubblefield Family Line info part 1
Stubblefield Family Line part 2
“Anyway, I hope I have given you some insight in to my father’s side of the family. Love you!”
(Editors note: Terri Marshall is the daughter of Patricia Rutherford, who is the daughter of Richard Rutherford Sr. Terri has sent us a good bit of information on her father, John Arnold Sr’s family. Here is her story, notes and evidence.)
With the noted exceptions, below is the list of current users and family researchers of our site.
Everyone who is a member has the right to author – you can write up stories of your family members. (Please try to link them to the appropriate pages – or if you don’t know how, send me an email and ask for help.)
I would love to see more of you getting involved and playing on these pages. So, in order to try to get you going,
I issue the following challenge:
Write a 250-500 word story about one of your favorite Dexter or associated family relatives-alive or not. This includes any from the Dexter, Huston, Keifer and Rutherford families and THEIR associated clans. Link it to their appropriate page. (Again, ask me how – I can easily show you if you can’t find it or if it hasn’t yet been created). You can also send me the story by email along with any photos and I will upload it/them for you under your “byline”.
If you have photos, add them and include them (just one or two) into your story. If it is a relative or ancestor who is not currently on our website as yet, then I will go through the process of setting up their linking page.
I know you are all busy – but are you too busy to participate and bring something new in? This is a lot different than our old family site, but it has so many options we can take advantage of. I hope a few of you will try to jump in and learn how to use it. I’m only a Skype, Facebook message or email/phone call away!
Blessings, everyone!
Connie
PS – all current family researchers are listed below. I would love it if you would submit a short biographical statement such as I have input for a few select, below.
Alan King (Our favorite Spelthorne Historian and “cousin by proxy and heart”)
Located in England, Alan connected with Connie by reaching out to her after she posted a question to the Middlesex-L on Rootsweb. Alan was doing walking tours of the Spelthorne/Staines area and kept seeing the Dexter name crop up.
Alma Meredith* (From Keifer family)
Alma is interested in the Keifer family connection. Keifers are Connie’s grandmother’s family and Alma’s connection is through her grandmother, (who was Connie’s great aunt) Florence Keifer Smith; sister to Connie’s grandmother Phyllis Lucile Keifer Rutherford.
Karen is also interested in the Keifer family connection. Keifers are Connie’s grandmother’s family and Karen, like Alma’s connection is through her grandmother, Florence Keifer Smith. Karen and Alma’s fathers were twin brothers – Gene and Glen Smith.
Kenneth Dexter(Dexter clan)
Ken and his wife Ann are in England. Ken is convalescing and is not easily available, but can typically be reached by email. Ken is noted for his autobiography, “A Fleury Business” and his dedication to his family – and the family business, the famous Dexter Cafe.
