Hermon and Miles
These two parts of my family lived in the adjacent villages of Lockinge and Ardington, just outside Wantage in Berkshire. Both were mainly agricultural labourers who worked on the two estates. The Lockinge Estate, as it became known, was acquired by Robert James Lindsay in the 1860s. He and his wife rebuilt much of the two villages and the estate became a model for trying out new farming techniques. Robert was given the title Lord Wantage and was well-known in the area for his philanthropism.
Whilst Miles is a very common name, Hermon is not. They were often incorrectly listed as Herman in the censuses, although the Herman name was equally uncommon until the early 20th century when many Germans (prob. Hermann) arrived in the UK.
Most of the Hermons in the 19th century lived in Oxfordshire and Berkshire so this is probably where the name originated.
Henry Hermon
My great great great grandfather was born in East Lockinge in 1837. His father, Richard, was also born in East Lockinge whilst his mother, Sarah, came from nearby South Fawley. Henry married Emma (born 1841 in East Hendred) and had many children. Both the Hermons and Miles have s history of large families! They had eight in total although this proved to be too many as the second youngest, Margaret, died before her first birthday and the youngest, Alice died aged less than five weeks. Alice was baptised on 24th February 1881. By the time of the census on 3rd April, Henry is listed as a widow. From the index of deaths for the second quarter of the year (April-June) I presume that Emma died sometime in early March and Emma died shortly afterwards.
Henry remarried in 1890 to Amelia Farr. He was living at East Lockinge Manor House in 1901 and working as a gardener.
Frederick Hermon
Frederick was born in East Lockinge in 1866, the third of Henry's children. He worked on the estate as a general or agricultural labourer. In 1888 he married Martha Jemima Greenough from the neighbouring village of Ardington. They settled in East Lockinge two doors away from the School House. Whilst many of the buildings still stand in Village Street, the one the Hermons lived in was pulled down and is now a parking space.
Frederick and Martha had thirteen children between 1889 and 1911.
I'll write some more soon!