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I found this item in an old newspaper and wondered if it would be of interest to any members
SCHOOLMASTER,S WOOING
SEQUEL TO TALE OF EPISODE IN A WOOD
More than a usual interest was taken in a sequel to a broken courtship betwen a schoolmaster and a seamstress at Coleford Glos HECTOR GORDON MEEK(formerly an assistant master at Breem school but now of Cheltenham Training College was summoned by HILDA BLANCHE HOWELLS 18 single a dressmaker of Parkend to show cause etc--Complainant a prepossessing young lady said she had kept companywith defendent for over two years Afterwards defendent heard about a case that occurred in Knockly Woods wheN defendent said she was molested by a tramp and then he decided to have no more to do with her --Complainant's mother and sister also gave evidence-- PC Jones said defendent told him that he was prepared to settle the case as it would spoil his prospects in future- The Bench made an order for defendent to contribute 4s per week and also pay £3 15s 7d costs
Pat Hoggard

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1891
Henry Meek abt 1846 Drybrook, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Eleanor Meek abt 1854 Drybrook, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Gloucestershire
Henry A Meek abt 1877 Drybrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Frances M Meek abt 1882 Hednesford, Staffordshire, England Daughter West Dean, Gloucestershire
William D Meek abt 1884 All Saints, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Godfrey F Meek abt 1886 All Saints, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean,

Name: Hector Gordon Meek
Year of Registration: 1891
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Monmouth (1837-1939)
County: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire
Volume: 11a
Page: 21

Year: 1892
Month: Mar
Day: 31
Parents_Surname: MEEK
Child_Forenames: Hector Gordon
Fathers_Forenames: Henry
Mothers_Forenames: Eleanor Eliza
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Parkend
Occupation: Agent
Officiating_Minister: E Jones Curate
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P245 IN 1/12
Page_Number: 58
Parish_Chapel: Parkend

1901
Henry Meck Eleanor abt 1846 Drybook, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Monmouthshire
Eleanor Eliza Meck abt 1854 Drybook, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Monmouthshire
Henry A Meck abt 1877 Drybook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Francis M Meck abt 1882 Hednesford, Staffordshire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Wm D Meck abt 1884 Gloucester, Staffordshire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Edfrey F Meck abt 1886 Gloucester, Staffordshire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Hector G Meck abt 1891 Parkend, Staffordshire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire

Name: Hector G Meek
Death Registration Month/Year: 1956
Age at death (estimated): 67
Registration district: Hereford
Inferred County: Herefordshire
Volume: 9a
Page: 9

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

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HILDA BLANCHE HOWELLS was the youngest daughter of my Great-Great Grandparents JOHN HOWELLS and ELIZA ANN HOWELLS (nee CASE). John was a Crown Woodman, and after his death in 1902 Eliza lived in Parkend, where I believe she ran a sweet shop. I was very interested to read the article concerning the 1914 newspaper report - I had not come across this information before. If anyone can throw any further light on this (or indeed anthing regarding the Howells family) I would be delighted to hear from them. Gordon Howells. gordon.howells AT hotmail.co.uk

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1901
John Howells abt 1853 Clearwell, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Ann Howells abt 1851 Lemplecombe, Somerset, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sydney Howells abt 1885 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Florence Howells abt 1889 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mabel Howells abt 1891 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Beatrice Howells abt 1893 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Hilda Howells abt 1896 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Frederick Carter abt 1868 Easingitition, Gloucestershire, England Boarder East Dean, Gloucestershire

Name: Hilda Blanch Howells
Year of Registration: 1896
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 246

1891
John Howells abt 1853 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza A Howells abt 1851 Temple Combe, Somerset, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
John Howells abt 1879 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomas Howells abt 1881 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Frank Howells abt 1882 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Emily M Howells abt 1883 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Sidney Howells abt 1885 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza A Howells abt 1886 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Annie Howells abt 1887 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Florence M Howells abt 1889 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mabel S Howells abt 1891 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mary Case abt 1827 Tewple Conbe, Somerset, England Mother-in-Law East Dean, Gloucestershire

1881
John Howells abt 1855 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Eliza Ann Howells abt 1854 Temple Combe, Somerset, England Wife Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
John Howells abt 1879 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomas Howells East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son Westbury On Severn - East Dean, Gloucestershire

1871
Thomas Howells 42
Eliza Howells 33
John Howells 18
Hannah Howells 15
Stephen Howells 12
Thomas Howells 11
William Howells 10
Edward Howells 7
Albert Howells 2
Henry Howells 6 Months

1861
Thomas Howells abt 1829 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Sarah Howells abt 1851 English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Gloucestershire
John Howells abt 1853 Newland, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Stephen Howells abt 1859 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Tom Howells abt 1860 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Sarah Howells abt 1791 West Dean, Gloucestershire, England Mother West Dean, Gloucestershire

1851
Thomas Howells abt 1829 Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Head Newland, Gloucestershire
Ann Howells abt 1829 Henerfred, Gloucestershire, England Wife Newland, Gloucestershire
Sarah Ann abt 1847 Bicknor, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Newland, Gloucestershire
Hannah Denby abt 1790 Hewelsfield, Gloucestershire, England Mother Newland, Gloucestershire
Enoch Denby abt 1831 Hewelsfield, Gloucestershire, England Son Newland, Gloucestershire

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

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There was a child born out of this incident named Mary Howells 1914. Hilda and Mary immigrated to the United States with Hildas sister Florence May Howells who had married a Belgium Diplomat, they were living in Washington DC in 1930.

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Please could you let me know which newspaper this report came from? It would be good to track down the original. Hilda Blanche was a niece of my Great Grandfather, Stephen Howells. Thanks, Rob Howells

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This is an old thread and the user’s account no longer exists. This does not mean that he/she cannot read your post but that may be unlikely to happen.

This article is almost certainly related,

BNA Gloucestershire Echo - Friday 01 January 1915
A DENIAL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ECHO”.

Sir.—With reference to the case reported at Coleford Police court in the “Echo” of the 31st ultimo, I beg to state that the defendant (Hector Gordon Meek) is not a student in Cheltenham Training College, nor has he ever been in the College.
H. A. BREN (Principal).
Cheltenham Training College,
Jan. Ist. 1915.

The implication is that the original article was published in the Gloucestershire Echo on 31st December 1914 but I cannot see it. This may be because the image for that day was of an Echo Extra and maybe not the main paper.

There is also this article which could refer to the same Hector MEEK,

BNA Western Mail - Friday 11 July 1930
SCENE IN LORDS.
Court Story of Man With Grievance.

Hector Meek (39), described as a schoolmaster, appeared on remand at Bow-street Police-court on Thursday charged with wilfully breaking a pane of glass in the Peers' entrance to the House of Lords. It is alleged that Meek approached a constable, and after pointing to the window and asking " Is there anybody in there?" deliberately pushed an attaché case through it, saying, " This is for liberty and justice." Meek, at the previous hearing, told Sir Chartres Biron, the magistrate, that he had been undergoing an injustice for a considerable time. He had attempted to get to the Lords through the legal profession but had been foiled on many occasions. Sir Chartres, after reading a report, discharged Meek without taking any further evidence.

(Other reports of the same incident give his full name as Hector Gordon MEEK.)

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The implication is that the original article was published in the Gloucestershire Echo on 31st December 1914 but I cannot see it.

Page four, 7th column, near the bottom, titled 'Coleford' Mike.

--
Peter

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Thanks Peter. I must change my glasses.

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UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960

Name: Hilda HOWELLS (Age 34) + Mary HOWELLS - age 15 (Travelling 3rd Class)

Gender: Female

Birth date:

Abt: 1896

Departure Date: 5 February 1930

Port of Departure: Southampton, England

Destination Port: New York, USA

Ship Name: Mauritania

Shipping Company: Cunard Line

Official Number: 124093

Master: S G S McNeil

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Address given as: The Cross, Parkend Lydney - Hilda's occupation: Dressmaker and Destination USA

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Christened at Parkend; 23 May 1915

Mary HOWELLS

mother: Hilda - residence: Parkend

father: not stated

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FamilySearch has;

US Census 1930

2460, 16th Street, 8th Precinct, Washington City, District of Columbia, United States.

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Rene J Van Simaeys Head M 31 Belgium. Married. White. Immigrated 1927. Butler, embassy.
Florence M Van Simaeys Wife F 41 England. Married. White. Immigrated 1927. Maid, embassy.
Hilda B Howells Sister F 34 England. Single. White. Immigrated 1930. Clerk, department store.
Mary Howells Niece F 15 England. Single. White. Immigrated 1930. None.

Full image here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RH9-WLH?i=5&cc=1810731

Amd image of their Immigration Manifest as transcribed by MPG in previous post:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-954K-SB7?i=126&cc=1923888

NB: It appears that Hilda is sister to Florence and not head-of-household Rene.

I now see this information matches that given by Unknown on their post of May 2011 on this thread. However it appears Rene was a butler at the Embassy, and not the "diplomat" he may have claimed to be.

----

Name Florence Van Simaeys
Event Type Immigration
Event Date 1927
Event Place New York, New York, United States
Gender Female
Age 38
Birth Year (Estimated) 1889
Birthplace England
Ship Name SS Paris

Full image here, shows they were originally from Paris, sailed from Le Havre, husband Rene is with her, he was a "Ch Steward" and both travelled on Diplomatic Passports, as did others on the same page:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-95QL-6GY?i=238&cc=1923888

US Census 1940
Tract 46, Police Precinct 2, Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Rene J Van Simaeys Head M 41 Belgium. Accountant.
Florence M Van Simaeys Wife F 51 England.

Full image here: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89M1-L4QT?i=20&cc=2000219

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From Ancestry an earlier trip to Canada/USA for Hector too,

Name: Hector Corder Meek
[Hector Gordon Meek]
Last Address in UK, Parkend, Glos
Profession, School Master
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Birth Date: abt 1891
Departure Date: 5 Sep 1925
Port of Departure: Southampton, England
Destination Port: Quebec, Canada
Ship Name: Antonia

Name: Hector Meek
Proposed Address in UK, 54, Falcon Av, Plymouth
Profession, Scholastic
Arrival Age: 34
Birth Date: abt 1891
Port of Departure: New York, New York, United States
Arrival Date: 21 Dec 1925
Port of Arrival: London, England
Ports of Voyage: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Plymouth
Ship Name: Ascania
Shipping Line: Cunard Steamship Company Ltd
Country of last permanent residence, England

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Thanks for all this information, it makes a very interesting story. I wonder if there is a link between the court case of 1914 and the House of Lords incident in 1930, or whether Hector Meek had some other grievance? I'll see if there is anything else related to him.
Rob

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Here's the original from the Gloucestershire Echo - Thursday 31 December 1914

[image]

--
Peter

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GlosBMD has the following, which confirms mother Eliza was nee "CASE" as per Slowhand's post:

Birth Details
Child Surname Child Forename Mother's Former Name Year District Office Register Entry
HOWELLS Florence May CASE 1889 Forest of Dean Westbury on Severn, Newnham 58 370

Birth Details
Child Surname Child Forename Mother's Former Name Year District Office Register Entry
HOWELLS Hilda Blanch KEYSE 1896 Forest of Dean Westbury on Severn, East Dean 4 15

This FOD FH site has these PRs:

Record_ID: 32781
Entry_Number: 280
Year: 1878
Month: May
Day: 11
Grooms_Surname: HOWELLS
Grooms_Forenames: John
Grooms_Age: 25
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Woodman
Grooms_Residence: Kensley Lodge
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Howells
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: Thomas
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Woodman
Brides_Surname: CASE
Brides_Forenames: Eliza Ann
Brides_Age: 25
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation: [not stated]
Brides_Residence: Kensly Lodge
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Case
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Henry
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Labourer
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both sign
Witness_1: Hannah Howells
Witness_2: Mark of James Beard
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: J. Phillips
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P85/1 IN 1/5
Page_Number: 140
Parish_Chapel: Cinderford St John
Soundex_Groom: H420
Soundex_Bride: C200

NB: I suspect witness Hannah Howells is not Eliza's mother but is her sister, and the other witness is Hannah's future spouse James Beard of Cinderford, as per this prior thread.
https://forest-of-dean.net/fodmembers/index.php?id=38987

Record_ID: 281906
Entry_Number: 104
Year: 1896
Month: Mar
Day: 1
Parents_Surname: HOWELLS
Child_Forenames: Hilda Blanche
Fathers_Forenames: John
Mothers_Forenames: Eliza Ann
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Serridge Lodge Lydbrook
Occupation: Woodman
Officiating_Minister: H T Hoitt
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: born January 30th 1896
Notes:
Register_Reference: 20812
Page_Number: 13
Parish_Chapel: Lydbrook
Soundex: H420

Record_ID: 426311
Entry_Number:
Year: 1855
Month: Mar
Day: 27
Parents_Surname: HOWELLS
Child_Forenames: Hannah
Fathers_Forenames: Thos
Mothers_Forenames: Hannah
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Lr Meene
Occupation: labr
Officiating_Minister:
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference:
Page_Number:
Parish_Chapel: Penallt Monmouth
Soundex: H420

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FS has;

Name Eliza Ann Case
Event Type Birth Registration
Registration Quarter Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration Year 1850
Registration District Wincanton
County Somerset
Event Place Wincanton, Somerset, England
Volume 10
Page 545
Affiliate Line Number 16

1851 Coombe Street, Abbas Coombe, Somerset, England
Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Mary Case Mother F 24 Unmarried. Farmers Servent. T Coombe, Somerset
Amelia Case Daughter F 1 T Coombe, Somerset
Eliza Case Daughter F 0 T Coombe, Somerset

Name Amelia Case
Event Type Birth Registration
Registration Quarter Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration Year 1849
Registration District Wincanton
County Somerset
Event Place Wincanton, Somerset, England
Volume 10
Page 519
Affiliate Line Number 105

1861 Wincanton, Somersetshire, England
Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Andrew Hoskins Head M 58 ..., Hampshire
S W Sealy Matron F 57 Geovic
James Ford Schoolmaster M 23 Hastings, Sussex
Ann Southgate Schoolmistress F 24 Wincanton, Somerset
E G Crown Nurse F 47 Ottery St Mary, Devon
George Gibbs M 43 Castle Cary, Somerset
Mary Case Pauper F 34 Templecombe, Somerset
Emily Case Pauper F 9 Templecombe, Somerset
etc
etc
etc

Assume this is the Workhouse.
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Wincanton/

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1871 Stowell, Stowell, Somersetshire, England
Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Amelia Hiscock Wife F 46 Farmer's Wife. Temple Combe, Somerset
Robert Hiscock Son M 18 Sutton Montis, Somerset
Albert Walter Hiscock Son M 11 Charlton Musgrove, Somerset
Rosa Kate Hiscock Daughter F 8 Stowell, Somerset
Edward James Hiscock Son M 6 Stowell, Somerset
Adela Amelia Hiscock Daughter F 4 Stowell, Somerset
Winifred S F Bartlett Governess F 19 London, Middlesex
Eliza Ann Case Servant F 20 Temple Combe, Somerset

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