David William Cressey was born in Hull, Birth registered at the district of Myton, registration MYT/94/37 in the first qtr of 1874. The youngest son of William Cressey and Jane Wing.   Evidently he was a bit of a "loose cannon".    "A red haired fly by the seat of your pants type".  

At the census of 1881 David William was found living with his parents and siblings  at: 4 Fewson Terr, Hessle Road, Hull
Those present where: David W. CRESSEY Aged 7

Father William CRESSEY aged 39 Bricklayer Unemployed 
Mother Jane E. CRESSEY aged 38 
Brother Arthur E. CRESSEY aged 16 - a Coal Porter 
Sister Alice E. CRESSEY Aged 13  
Sister Eliza A. CRESSEY aged 8 

	Cressey	William	39	Head	Bricklayer Unemployed	Hull, Yorkshire	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull
	Cressey	Jane E	38	Wife	?	Sydney, North Wales, Australia	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull
	Cressey	Arthur E	16	Son	Sail Porter	Hull, Yorkshire	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull
	Cressey	Alice E	13	Daughter	Scholar	Hull, Yorkshire	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull
	Cressey	Eliza A	8	Daughter	Scholar	Hull, Yorkshire	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull
	Cressey	David W	7	Son	Scholar	Hull, Yorkshire	4 Fewson Terrace, Hull

Source Film 1342153 PRO RG11/ 4776 / 92/22

 We have had great difficulty interpreting the history of David Wm.  However history has now shown that he did indeed move to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, about 1891, to take up the profession of Fisherman.  (Considering for a 100 or more years previously, every male member had been involved in the building trade).  The fishing industry at Milford during this time was reaching its peak. 

     David William was found residing in the village of Hakin in 1891 situated on the north shore of the celebrated harbour of Milford, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Milford Haven was specifically built as a Whaling Station for the Quakers on virgin ground on the North side of the creek from the old town of Hakin, named after a Viking Chief, Hakka. 

     In 1891 there were Twenty-one fishing vessels in the Haven and Docks with crews aboard on the Census night of 5th April, nine of them steam trawlers. Most were crewed by two or three men and a boy.  David William Cressey aged Seventeen was present.

David met and married Lillies Bryce b.c. 1876 at St Catherines Church Haverfordwest,  Pembrokeshire, Wales 29th December 1896.   Lily was the daughter of James (b.c.1837 in Scotland) and Mary (Nee- Bramley)Bryce,(b.c.1838 at Bishopsgate, Durham, England).   The family were residing at West Hartlepool, Durham, England before moving firstly to Barrow and then to Haking, Pembrokeshire, Wales, James was listed as a Boilermaker. 

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 5127; Folio: 156; Page: 24).

There are numerous name variations of Lillies (Lily,Lilly,Lilie) shown on the marriage and death certificates and the many census documents found.  As at 2010.

Witnesses to this marriage were Lillie's sister Rachel and Friend Henry Dodd.  Lillie's father James Bryce and David Wm's father William, are both present.

(Source GRO col 704115/2006)

The young couple set up home at Rock Cottages in the village of Hakin just south of Milford.  The marriage was not to last for tragically, Lillie died on Seventh of February 1898 at Hakin,  Pembrokeshire, Wales, aged just 21.  

The entire course of the Cressey family history genealogy would have taken an entirely different route should Lilly have survived and had children with David William, as would have the descendants of the Bramley/Brice families.

Source GRO WDXZ 101804

David Wm returned to the family home at Hull Yorkshire after this event, residing with his parents at Carlton Terrace.  Although continuing the profession of fisherman sailing out of Hull.

(Source Volume:11a Page:773)

David Wm then met and married Grace Osborne  (1878-1936), daughter of George Osborne and Catherine Organ  at Sculcoates (Source Hull ref 9d343) in Dec 1898.  This couple probably had the following six children between 1901 and 1919.

Photo believed to be that of Grace Osborne and David William Cressey c.1929

(Source GRO ab219831/2006)

Witnesses to this marriage were David Wm's brother Arthur and Amy Atkinson. Grace's father is shown as deceased but David Wm's father William, is present.  

There is some speculation at this time (2010) relating to Thomas and Esther Norman and their daughter Grace, who in 1891 resided at 4 Carlton Terrace Hull.   This, the same address declared for Grace Osborne, on her marriage certificate dated November 1898.

Source Citation: Class: UK 1891 Cenus RG12; Piece: 3917; Folio 112113; Page 28; GSU roll: 6099027.

Thomas and Esther Norman were still residing at Carlton Terrace in 1901.

RG13/4477/~F64

 History tells of members of this family living with David William and Grace at Scarborough Street, Hull, some years later.  It would appear that there is an Irish connection.   Esther Norman and Grace Norman, both having been born in Newry Co Armagh, Ireland.  As was Grace Osborne.  Thomas was a soldier and is clearly shown on the census returns as being a Soldier Pensioned!  

History in time will show the true facts relating to the Norman Family and the problem of clarity may then be resolved.   No member of the Cressey family having come  forward to clarify the facts.

This union produced at least six children between 1898-1919. 

At the census of 1901 this young family were found to be residing at 28 Witty Street, Hessle Road Hull, Yorkshire, with their first child Elsie.

Source 1901 UK Census Extract RG_13_4479_22

First Child.   Daughter Elsie Bolder (Cressey) born in the Hessle district of Hull under reference HES/46/271 in 1901.  She married Harold Bolder.

Second Child.   Daughter Grace Verrity (Cressey) born in the Hessle district of Hull under reference HES/54/127 in 1903.   She married Herbert Verrity bc.1898.

Third Child.   Daughter Esther Cotton (Cressey) born in the Hessle district of Hull under reference HES/67/278 in 1907.  She married Ike Cotton.   Esther died in 1995.   

Fourth Child.   Son Arthur Edward Cressey  born in the Hessle district of Hull under reference HES/82/335 in 1912.

Fifth Child.   Son   David William Cressey DSM (1916-1985). Born in the Hessle district of Hull in 1916 and registered under reference HES/96/202 in 1917.** See Below

Sixth Child.   Daughter Alice M Cressey  Born in the Southcoates district of Hull under reference SOC/37/456 in 1926.

     David William was a deep sea fisherman fishing out of both Hull and Milford Haven.

     Early life was spent mostly in the Hessle Road area of Hull residing at Brighton Street and Scarborough Street, until about 1934, when both Grace and David William moved to a small house at 57 North Road, Hull. 

     Grace died on the 8th May 1936 aged 56 years.   She was buried at the Western Cemetery, Hull on the 12th May 1936 in grave No 26583/274.  David William died on the 9th September 1936, 3 months after his wife.  He is buried next to his wife in plot 26583/274.   The story goes that he took his own life.   The Graves in Western Cemetery, Hull, Yorkshire were visited in the year 2002.   No Headstones remain.

Cressey Family

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