William Danton 1846 - 1925

William Danton was one of my paternal two times great grandfathers.  He was baptised on 31st May 1846 at the parish church of Holy Cross at Goodnestone, near Dover, in Kent.

Very kindly the curate who baptised William stated that William was born on 6th April 1846.  William's parents were William and Sarah Danton.

1846 Baptism of William Danton (courtesy of Find my Past)

The first census return that William appears on is that for 1851.  On it William is aged 4 and he is living in the village of Uffington, in the parish of Goodnestone.  He is living with his parents, William and Sarah, and his paternal grandparents Stephen and Margaret Danton.  Clearly the family are quite poor as Stephen is listed as a pauper.  Stephen had been an agricultural labourer as was his son William.

Thus far I have only found one sibling for William Danton who I can identify as definitely being his sibling.  This was:

Mary Ann Danton 1843 - 1917

It  is highly likely that the couple had other children but I have not yet found a census return for 1861 for any of the family.  

The next census return that William appears on is the one for 1871.  On it William is aged 24 and he is working as a farm servant (or labourer) and he is living in Adisham.  

1871 Census William Danton (courtesy of Ancestry)

It was probably in Adisham that William Danton was to meet his future wife, Ann Sidders.  The couple were married at the parish church of Saint John the Baptist, in Ickham, Kent.  The couple were married on 12th October 1872.  Neither of them could write as both placed their mark on the certificate.

1872 Marriage Certificate of William Danton and Ann Sidders

On the 1881 census return William, and his wife Ann, are living in Wingham.  William is still an agricultural labourer and the couple have now have some children.

1881 Census William and Ann Danton (courtesy of Ancestry)

So far I have found that William and Sarah had 10 children.  They were:

Matilda Ann 1874 - 1883

Emily Sarah 1875 - 1911

Emma 1876 - 1939

Eliza 1877 - 1939

Annie 1880 - ?

Elizabeth 1882 - 1883

Alice 1884 - 1956

Harry 1886 - 1970

Albert 1889 - 1915

William George 1897 - 1918

At least 5 of the children were to predecease William and Ann.  Tragically the last two of the couple's sons were to die during World War 1.

In 1891 William and Ann were living in Wingham High Street.  William is still an agricultural labourer.

1891 Census William and Ann Danton (courtesy of Ancestry)

On the 1901 census return William and Ann have moved house.  They are now living in a cottage in Goodnestone.  William's profession is given as a yardman on a farm - so still an agricultural labourer.

1901 Census William and Ann Danton (courtesy of Ancestry)

The last census I have that William and Ann appear on is that for 1911.  

1911 Census William and Ann Danton (courtesy of Ancestry)

On the 1911 census William is aged 65 and his wife, Ann, is 59.  Also living with them is one of their sons, William George Danton, who is 13.  Sadly, this son was to die on 25 January 1918 from wounds received during the First World War.  He was buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery in Poperinge, Belgium.

Gravestone of Private W G Danton - son of William and Ann - in Belguim

William Danton died in the 4th quarter of 1925 at the age of 79.  The death was registered in the Eastry registration district.  An area in which William, and his wife Ann, were to live all of their lives.