Caroline Whiting 1865-1962?

Parents: Edmund Whiting and Lucy Clover.(1)
Born: 24th April 1865 in Bethnal Green, Middlesex.(1,2)
Baptised: 9th May 1873 at St Philip's Church, Bethnal Green, Middlesex.(1)
Married: John William Binks, 26, batchelor, harness maker of Hockerill, Herts, son of Joseph Binks, labourer, on 31st August 1889 at St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Witnessed by Arthur Riley and Deborah Jane Binks.(2,3)
Children: Annie Elizabeth Binks b.1899
Died: 1962 in the Cambridge district.(5)

Bio: Caroline's baptismal entry shows she was born on 24th April 1865, and she appears on the 1871 census as a scholar living with parents Edmund and Lucy and family at 1 Lee's Court, Islington. When she was baptised on 9th May 1873, she was living at 5 Busby Street, Bethnal Green. When her parents returned to Haverhill, Caroline moved back with them, but we find her living with her grandmother Ann Clover, 85, on the 1881 census. Also living there is her older sister Minnie Annie Whiting. Presumably they were both looking after their grandmother as no occupation is given for either.

Caroline married John Binks in 1889. He was a harness maker born in Little Wratting, but living in Hockerill street, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. At this time she was living in Haverhill high street.

On the 1891 census we see them living in Hockerill Street, Bishop's Stortford, between The Cock and The Red Lion pubs. John is a harness maker and gas lighter, and Caroline is a sweet shop woman.

Their whereabouts on the 1901 census is not so clear, but it seems that John is known by his middle name William on this census, and the couple are living at 19 Eden Road, Haverhill. His birthplace is given as Little Wratting, and his age is correct. Caroline also has the correct age and birthplace. Caroline is working as a jacket machinist, and John's occupation appears to be carman. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, who is just over one year old.

The 1911 census shows the family living at 4 Meeting Walk, Haverhill. John William is a baker's carman at the co-operative stores, Caroline is a housewife. John's mother Elizabeth Paxman is living with them, she is a widow and is aged 70. They also have daughter Annie Elizabeth at home too. She is at school.

On the 1939 Register we see Caroline Binks still living at 4 Meeting Walk, Haverhill(6). Her birth-date is given as 17th July 1865 here, which doesn't quite tally with what was given on her baptism entry. Her husband is known as James William Binks, here, but his occupation of bakers roundsman (retired) is a good fit for what we have from the 1911 census. His birth-date is said to be 3rd January 1863. Living with them are Frederick Mayes, a diesel engine engineer, and Elizabeth A Mayes who is Caroline's daughter who married Frederick in 1935.

It's not entirely clear what happened to the Binks after this point. There is a Caroline Binks of the correct age who died aged 96 in the Cambridge district in 1962. I feel this must be her.

Sources:
(1) London Metropolitan Archives, Saint Philip, Bethnal Green, Register of baptisms, P72/PHI, Item 004
(2) Birth Register. 3rd Quarter 1865, Bethnal Green District, Volume 1c Page 203
(3) Marriage Register. 3rd Quarter 1889, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 859
(4) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Fiche 578/4/p28 of 37
(5) Death Register. 1st Quarter 1962, Cambridge District, Volume 4a Page 372
(6) 1939 Register, RG101/6661A/020/16 Letter Code: TYDA, Findmypast.co.uk