Arthur Horncastle  was born to his mother Mary Ann (nee Woolnough) on the 30th September 1825, Arthur was her second surviving son, John Bedford born in 1833 died in childhood, there had also been twins who didn't survive, she also became a stepmother to Arthur's father William's four other children from a previous marriage. William was a schoolmaster of Palmers charity school.

    In 1850 Arthur married Esther daughter of Sarah and Christopher March, a hairdresser from Romford . They married not in Grays but at St. Luke's Finsbury.  Arthur and Esther's children were;

                 Francis.    born 25th April 1851 at 8 o'clock in the morning.

                Arthur.     born 30th September 1852 at 9 o'clock at night.

                Esther Ada. born 19th March 1854 at 7 o'clock in the morning.

                Walter. born 12th August 1862 at 6.30 in the evening.

    and two others died,

                Thomas March. born 26th November 1866 and died October 28th 1870.

                Charles. 28th July 1868 and died August 10th 1868.

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