Keen Family Page
Roger's paternal grandmother was Alice KEENWilliam Henry HOPKINS in 1885 in Ospringe, Kent. Alice died on the 7th November 1885 at Ospringe, Nr Faversham, Kent
The KEEN line of ancestry goes back to William KEEN baptised on 25 March 1629 possibly in Chislet, Kent. I haven't yet found proof positive for all of the line and along the way various spellings have been used for the name KEEN including KEEM, KEEME, KEENE, KENN. William could have married Margaret WHITE and there is mention of two sons Thomas and John (1660-1728) and two daughters Mary (1663) and Elizabeth (1666).
John born 1660 at Chislet, son of William and Margaret, married Katharin RATCLIFF at Chislet on 27 October 1689.They had a son William who married Martha KENDALL at Thanington, Kent on 14 January 1732. William and Martha's known children are Elizabeth (1733-1735), Mary (1735),John (1738-1815), Henry (1740) and Margaret (1743). Martha was buried at Sturry on 17 December 1778 and William on 4 April 1787. Their daughter Mary possibly married Jesse HALL on April 1st 1759 at Sturry. Their daughter Margaret married Stephen HOLMAN at Hoath, Kent on 4 October 1770. Prior to this she had a son Zaccariah baptised at Sturry 27 October 1765.
John KEEN (1738-1815) son of William and Margaret married Elizabeth CAREY at Herne on 22 August 1761. They had 12 children all baptised in Sturry or Herne: William(1761-1761), Elizabeth(1762-1818), William(1765-1842), Mary(1768-1789), Henry(1769-1769), Tamsin(1772), Henry(1775), Martha(1776), Jesse(1778-1778), Jesse(1780-1781), Hannah(1782-1863) and Ann (1785-1785). Their son Williammarried Mary HOOKERand daughter Hannah married Henry FOSTER.
William Keen and Mary Hooker Top of the page
William, the second son of that name was born to John KEEN and Elizabeth CAREY at Sturry, Kent and baptised there on 21 April 1765. William married Mary Hooker at Molash, kent on 12 May 1787 and they had 9 children: Mary(1788), Mary (1789), William(1791-1841), Henry(1793-1875), Mary (1799), James(1801-1884), George(1804-1860), Edward(1807-1891) and Filmer(1809-1857), all baptised at Herne. William, 77 and Mary, 75 KEEN are recorded on the 1841 census for Chislet either living at the Fox and Hounds or next door to it. Recorded with them is their 1 year old grandaughter Frances, daughter of James. Living at The Fox and Hounds is their son Filmer KEENE,30, victualler, also Ann KEENE 40. William was buried at Herne, on 23 June 1842 and Mary on 7 January 1849. Their son Henry, a carpenter, married Esther SAFFERY in 1814 and they had 12 children. James, thatcher, carpenter and bobbin maker, married first Mercy with whom he had four children. He next married Maria Eldridge BAKER and they had three children. George, another woodman, married Sybella (Isabella) HOLNESS in 1828 they had eleven children including Caroline(1829-1862), who married Robert George GOLDSMITH in Ramsgate, they had no children. This is not the Caroline KEEN who married David HOLNESS and for a time lived next door to George and Sybella. Filmer, a victualler may have married Ann BROMLEY in 1837. Ann appears on the 1841 census with Filmer. They may have moved from Kent to Worcestershire, there are several newspaper reports of a Filmer Keen, victualler in regard to a bankruptcy.
Edward Keen and Sarah Stone Top of the page
Edward was baptised on 26 April 1807 at Herne, Kent. He was the son of William KEEN and Mary HOOKER. On 25 August 1827, at Herne, Edward married Sarah STONE. She was the daughter of John Stone and Sarah COOMBS and was born on 22 July 1808 at Herne and baptised there on 18 September that year. Edward and Sarah had 11 children. In 1841 Edward and Sarah live at Herne Common with William, Emma, Edward, Jesse, Henry, John and Wonley. Edward is working as a woodman. Life must have been extremely hard for Edward and Sarah as in 1851 they are living at Blean Gate but Edward is an out of employment thatcher. They have 7 children at home with them: Jesse, Henry, John, Wonley, Sidney, Luis and Alfred. Jesse and Henry are also recorded as out of work thatchers. They are still at Braggs Lane in 1861 with Sidney, Lewis, Alfred and Mary Ann. Edward is working as a thatcher and Sidney as a woodman. In 1871 only Marey aged 17 is living at home still in Braggs Lane and they are there on their own in 1881. In 1891 both Edward and Sarah are paupers living in the Workhouse. Edward dies later that year and was buried in the cemetery at Herne on 2 December 1891(Plot C155). Sarah was buried at Blean on 23 February 1894.
Children of Edward Keen and Sarah Stone Top of the page
William was a woodsman and wood cutter and lived for many years at Bragg's Lane along with his wife Emma CULLEN and their children: Mary Ann, William, Elizabeth Jane, Henry John, Harriet Emma, Frederick, Walter Edward, Edward, Horace, Olivia Annie and Stephen Lewis. Their third son Henry John followed the same occupation. On 17 October 1881 at Chislet, Henry married Esther HOLNESS. The marriage was short-lived lasting about eighteen months. In 1882 Henry John was accused of assaulting his wife because of her improper conduct with a chap called RIGDEN. The case was dismissed and esther dies the following year being buried at Blean on 20 October 1863. Henry appears on the 1891 census with his parents in Braggs Lane but sometime thereafter began a relationship with Annie TAYLOR from Swalecliffe. In 1901 they emigrated to Canada, Annie travelling as Mrs Keen. Henry and Annie eventually settled in British Columbia and raised a family there.
Emma was baptised at Chislet on 26 June 1831. She married John SPRATT at Chislet on 12 October 1850 and lived at Broad Oak and Sturry Street. John had a variety of jobs: Agricultural and general labourer, a rail plate layer, a pork butcher and coal merchant. Emma and John had 10 children during their marriage. John was buried 20 June 1905 at Sturry and Emma on 4 May 1910.
Edward, baptised at Chislet on 8 September 1833 married Olivia Harriet JOHNCOCK at Herne on 6 October 1857. Edward was a agricultural and general labourer and first lived at Albion Place but then out at Herne Common and Hicks Forstall. Edward and Olivia had no children of their own but for many years a neice, Mary Ann BARLEY lived with them and then another neice Oliva Harriet JOHNCOCK. Edward was buried at Herne on 11 December 1897. Olivia moved to Park Villas Herne Street after Edward died and worked as a dressmaker. A third niece, Lily JOHNCOCK is living with her and Frank BALLS, grave digger and church worker is lodging there.
Jesse, the third son of Edward and Sarah KEEN was baptised at Herne on 30th August 1835. In 1841 he is living with his parents at Herne Common. In 1851 he is recorded as a woodman out of employment still living with his parents now at Blean Gate. On 25 April 1858 Jesse marries Emma HOLNESS at Chislet and in 1851 they are living at Herne Street with their son James and daughter Jane. In 1871 Jesse, woodman and Sarah now have James aged 12 and working as a labourer, Jane, Filmer, and Matilda, scholars and Sarah Ann aged 1 year. Only James, now also a woodman and Sarah, scholar are still living with them in 1881. Emma dies in 1886 and was buried in Herne cemetery on 10 April. Jesse has fallen ill in 1891 and is recorded as a patient at St Augustine. He probably died in 1902 in Thanet.
Henry - see Henry Keen and Sarah Hudson Top of the page
John was baptised at chislet on 16th June 1839. In 1841 and 1851 he is living with his parents and siblings at Blean Gate Herne Common. On 30th August 1862 John marries Susannah HUDSON at the Registry Office in Canterbury. Suasannah is a sister to Sarah HUDSON who had married John's brother Henry just a month earlier. John and Susannah are found living next door to The Albion in 1871. John is a tailor and they have 4 children: Susan, Ellen, Archelaus and Kate. In 1881 John, now an agricultural labourer and Susannah are living at Herne with their children Kate, Alfred and Ada.John and Susannah have moved to 3 Brickfields, Swalecliffe by 1891 and John is still working as an ag lab.daughter Kate is now aged 20 and recorded as living at home but that has then be crossed out. Son Alfred is working as an ag lab too and also living with them is Susannah's father, Thomas Hudson aged 75, widowed and working as an ag lab.Susannah died in 1899 and in 1901 John has moved to a house near the Fox and Hounds in Chislet. His occupation is given as both a thatcher and an ag lab. With him is his daughter Ada, now Ada Holness and his grandson Alfred J Holness aged 8 months. In 1911 John is still living with his daughter Ada but they have moved to 8 Belmont Road, Faversham. Ada's husband Alfred HOLNESS is a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy. he is recorded on the census but his entry has been crossed through and "away from home" entered instead. Ada's children are also recorde: Alfred, Albert, Winifred and William and they also have a visitor staying with them, Elizabeth GARRETT aged 53 and a widow.
Wonley George was born at Herne on the 29 April 1841 and baptised on 23 May 1841. He appears on the census as a 1 month old baby living with his parents at Herne and is still there with them in 1851. By the time of the census in 1861 he has joined the Royal Navy and is recorded at HMS Vulcan as Whonley KEEN 22 unmarried - rank/occupation - Prentice. Wonley marries Emma Eliza GOODWIN on 4 September 1864 at Chislet and sometime after this leaves the Navy. !871 sees him recorded as an unemployed labourer living with Emma at Oare Street with their 11 month old son George Wonley KEEN. Wonley and Emma have moved to Oast Cottage Luddenham, Kent by 1881. Wonley is a general labourer and they have George and daughter Harriett Emma with them. Wonley and Emma are still living at Luddenham in 1891 but George and Emma have flown the nest. Wonley was buried at Faversham on 16 April 1898 Emma died in 1906.
Sidney, baptised at Herne on 10 March 1844 married Emily Jane BARTON at Blean in 1865. In the 1841 and 1851 census he is living with his parents and siblings at Blean Gate and Braggs Lane. After his marriege to Emily they live at Park Keepers Cottage, Stroud Park, Bushyfield, Herne In 1871 they have two children with them Alfred and Maria and Sidney is working as an ag lab. In 1881 Sidney is an ag lab living on The Common with Emily and Alfred, Maria, Louisa A and Sidney H. By 1891 they have moved to Broomfield and Sidney is now a general labourer, their son Sidney Harold is still living with them and also son Bertie Arthur. 1901 sees Sidney working as a domestic gardener and he and Emily are now living at Eddington with son Sidney H , a bricklayers labourer and a grandaughter Millicent E JANES aged 19. Millicent is the child of their daughter Maria and her husband Arthur JANES. The 1911 census gives the address for Sidney and Emily as 1 Golf Cottages Eddington and tells us they have been married for 45 and had 5 children, four still living. Sidney is still working as a domestic gardener and their grandaughter Millicent Emily Janes is still with them and working as a waitress at the golf club. They also have grandson Ernest Edward KEEN, a general labourer living with them. Ernest is the son of Alfred and his wife Susan SEATH. In 1921 Sidney and Emily are living at The White House Bullockstone Hill with a nephew Henry Charles SCATT. Sidney is recorded as a pensioner (formerly jobbing gardener and Emily as a pensioner with household duties. Sidney was buried at Herne on 10 October 1923 and Emily on 25 September 1937. There is a snippet in the Herne Bay Press 6/10/1888 of a Sidney Keen completing a walk to London in a record time - may not be this Sidney Keen though
Louis is recorded on 1851 and 1861 census living with his parents and siblings at Chislet where he was baptised on 8 November 1846. In 1867 he marries Sarah Elizabeth CAREY at Chislet on 8 June. They go to live at The Albion next door to Louis' brother John. Louis is recorded as an ag lab and he and Sarah have two sons Thomas W and Louis Edward. Louis then gets a job as a gamekeeper and the family move to the Keepers Lodge at Bettshanger. In 1881 they have 7 children living with them : Thomas, Lewis , Minnie, Sydney, Edith M, Lilian R and Charles A. The 1891 census tells us that the Keepers Lodge was attached to the Mansion at Eastry. Thomas. Louis and Minnie are no longer living at home but the family has grown again and at the Lodge in addition to Sidney, a farm labourer, Lily and Charles are Joseph, Selina, Ernest, Walter, Horace and Percy. Louis dies at Eastry in 1898. In 1901 Sarah, recorded as Elizabeth Keen is living with various children and grandchildren in a house next to the Crown Inn. She has with her Thomas and Ernest working as general labourers and Percy, aged 11. Her daughter Edith, now Edith SMITH is there with her two children May 2 and Louis 4 months but no husband. Daughter Lily, now Lily WILLIAMS is also living with them, again no husband. In 1911 Sarah is living alone at Finglesham Eastry she is a widow and a pensioner. She had been married for 43 years and had 13 children, 11 still living. Charles Aaron joined the Royal Navy in August 1894 as a boy bugler. He left the RN in 1897, the RUN recorded on his document suggests that he went AWOL from HMS Swallow in September 1897. His headstone states that he was a cox in the US Navy during the Spanish American War in 1898. An application for a Military headstone for Charles shows that he was AKA James HARDING and that he served in US Navy from September 13 1898 until 12 September 1907. Charles' Naturalization Papers give his birth year as 1879 instead of 1877 and state that he entered the United States from Rio De Janerio on the vessel Landskrona in New York in August 1898. Charles died in Washington State in 1958. Joseph also emigrated to the USA and died in Michigan State in 1960. Horace too emigrated to Washington State and died there in 1925.
Alfred was baptised at Herne on 11 October 1849. In 1851 and 1861 he at Blean Gate and Braggs Lane living with his parents and siblings. On 30 January 1869 Alfred married Elizabeth Ann CHAMPS at Chislet. Their daughter Emma was born on 10 October and baptised at Herne on 12 December 1869. Elizabeth died young, aged 25 and was buried at Chislet on 4 April 1871. The census taken just a short while later records Alfred as a widower with his daughter Emma, aged 1, living at Oast House, Chislet. He is working as a farm labourer.On 24 October Alfred marries again to Rachel FILMER at Chislet. Their first child henry Alfred was born in 1875 but died in 1876. Alfred takes a job as a gamekeeper and in 1881 he is living at Herne Common with Rachel and Emma and two further children Charles Thomas and Florence Jane. William Matthew Keen born 1881 died 1882 at Blean. 1891 and Alfred has moved to Ruckage Grove Farm? working as a labourer. Emma has left home, Charles and Florence are scholars and there are four more children: Ethel M, Arthur B, Alfred J and George F. Alfred has another occupation change by 1901 he is living at Herne Common and working as a woodman in the woods as is his son Arthur. George and Ethel are living at home too. In 1911 Alfred and Rachel are still living at Herne Common and Alfred is a farm keeper. They have been married for 37 years and had 10 cgildren 8 still living. George is the only child at home now and he too is working as a farm keeper. Rachel was buried at Herne on 8 September 1815 and Alfred is living alone at Herne in 1921, he is a widower and a farm worker.Alfred died on 13 May 1932 at Lewisham in London, probably at the home of his daughter Ethel May and her husband John Hunt. Alfred was buried at Lewisham on 23 May 1932.
Mary Ann was baptised at Chislet on the 13 August 1854. In 1861 she is living at Braggs Lane with her parents and siblings. In 1871, entered as Marey, she is the only child still living with Edward and Sarah. Mary ann married Alfred RICHARDSON at Chislet on 20 November 1875. In 1881 they are living at Oast Lane and Alfred is working as an ag lab. They now have 2 other children: Emma A and Albert J. In 1891 Mary and her children Emma, Albert and another son Lewis Alfred are paupers in the workhouse. Mary and Lewis (Alfred L) are still paupers in the workhouse in 1901 and both recorded as "feeble minded". Mary Ann probably died in 1908 at Blean.
Henry Keen and Sarah Hudson Top of the page
Henry was baptised at Chislet, Kent on 9 July 1873 the son of Edward KEEN and Sarah STONE. In 1841 Henry is living with his parents, 5 brothers and a sister at Herne Common, he is 4 years old, his father is a woodcutter. In 1851 the family are living at Blean Gate, Chislet and Henry is recorded as a thatcher out of employment as is his father and brother Jesse. In 1861 Henry is an Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy serving on HMS Cressy in the Mediterranean.The Cressy was commissioned to the Mediterranean from April 1859 returning to Sheerness in May 1861. Henry married Sarah Ann HUDSON (See Hudson family Page). Sarah Ann was born 11 October 1841 at Swalecliffe and was baptised there on 26 October. The marriage too place at Chislet on 5 July 1862, witnesses to the marriage were Henry's brother John and Sarah's sister Susannah who a month later were married each other at Canterbury. When they married Henry was working as a labourer and Sarah as a servant. They had 10 children Henry 1862, Alice 1864, Francis (Frank) 1866, Sarah 1868, Mary1873, Fred 1876, Edward 1878. Jane 1881, Clara Ellen 1883 and Albert (Bertie) Henry 1886. In 1871 Henry is living with Sarah at West End, Canterbury Road, Herne, near to Bullockstone Farm. He is working as a labourer on the railway and they have four children living with them: Henry, Alice, Francis and Sarah. Henry and Sarah then move to Union Road Faversham where they are recorded on 1881 census. They had a daughter Mary born and died 1873 in Blean, their next child Fred is born in Favaersham in 1876. Henry is a general labourer. Alice is away from home working as a general domestic servant but beside Henry, Frank and Sarah they now have Fred, Edward and Jane. They have moved to Kennaways Road, Faversham in 1891, Henry is still working as a general labourer and Frank, Fred, Edward, Jane and Bertie are living with them. In 1901 Henry and Sarah have moved again and are living in Ospringe Street, Faversham. Henry, general labourer, and Sarah have just Fred and Bertie living with them. In 1911 Henry and Sarah are living on their own at The Square, Ospringe. Henry is recorded as an old age pensioner. They have been married for 49 years and had 10 children, 6 still living, Henry, May and Clara have died.. In 1921 the couple are living at Whitings Square, Ospringe Road, Faversham and have a visitor with them, Nellie Gilham aged 40 born in Ospringe helping with home duties. Henry died on 11 December 1926 at Faversham. Sarah died there in 1930.
Children of Henry and Sarah Top of the page
Henry was born on 25 October 1862 in Herne, Kent. He was baptised at Herne on the 16 November that year.In 1871 he is living with his parents at West End, Canterbury Road Herne, near Bullocks Farm. In 1881 he is working as a general labourer and still living with his parents at Union Road, Faversham. Henry died in 1890.
Alice was born on 18th July 1864 at Westend, Herne, Kent, her father was working as a woodman at the time. Alice is recorded living there with her parents and family in 1871. In 1881 she is working at a house in Preston Street Faversham as a house maid to Sarah Abbott. Alice married William Henry HOPKINS (see HOPKINS Family Page) at Ospringe on 7 November 1885. In 1891 William is working as a gravel pit labourer and they are living at Painter's Forstall. They have moved to Faversham by 1901 and living at 6 Lindfield Street, William is now a foreman at the gravel pit. Another move by 1911, to 7 Ospringe Square Faversham. William is a general pit foreman and they have been married for 26 years and had eight children, five still living. Henry, Edward and Leslie are living with them. William died in 1939 and on the census later that year Alice is living alone at Mill House. Alice died in 1949.
Francis "Frank" was baptised at Herne on 9 September 1866, he was born one month earlier on 12 August. In 1871 he is living at West End, Canterbury Road, Herne with his parents. In 1881 he is working as a stone breaker and living with his parents at Union Road, Faversham. The family are living at Kennaways Road, Faversham in 1891 and Frank is a general labourer. Shortly after this he emigrated to USA arriving in New York 26 September 1891 sailing from Liverpool on the ship Britannic. Frank made his way to Salt Lake City, Utah and there on the 22 June 1896 he married Nellie ISETT. Frank declared his intention to become a US citizen on 31 May 1898 at Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1900 he is living at Salt Lake City and he and Nellie have three children; Frank, Ethel and Ruby his occupation is given as scavenger. In 1910 he and Nellie have another child, called Nellie. Living close to them in Salt Lake City is his bother Bertie and his family. Frank and Nellie are living at Sage Precinct in 1920 with their daughter Nellie. Frank is a farmer - stock raiser. Living close by is their son Fred with his wife Helen. Frank is found living alone with no occupation in Lincoln, Wyoming in the 1930 census but is back farming in Salt Lake City in 1940. He is a widower aged 73 and living alone. Frank died on 15 March 1974 in Salt Lake City. He left many descendants most of whom remained in and around Salt Lake City although some became ranchers in Lincoln, Wyoming.
Sarah was baptised at Herne on 18 October 1868. In 1871 she is living at West End Canterbury Road Herne with her parents. The family have moved to Union Street Faversham by 1881. In 1901 Sarah is working as a general servant at a Nursing Home for "cripples" in Margate. At Ramsgate on 27 February 1897 she married Walter Epps GODDEN a carman for a brewery and in 1901 they are living at Byron Street, Margate with their young daughter Barbara Grace born in 1900 at Faversham. Barbara died aged 5 years in 1906 and the 1911 census states that Sarah and Walter had had 2 children both now dead. Sarah and Walter had then been married for 14 years and are living at 8 Cecil Square, Margate . Walter died in 1935 and in the 1939 Register Sarah is recorded as a widow, working as an apartment housekeer. Living with her at 82 Grosvenor Place is a chap named Alfred J Gilham. Alice died on 13 July 1953. Probate was granted to Albert Victor Keen (prison officer) Effects of £1638.16s 5d
Mary was baptised at Herne on the 6th June 1873. She died a baby and was buried at herne on 31st August 1873.
Fred was born on 30 August 1876 at Ospringe, Kent. He was baptised at Ospringe on 8 October 1876. In 1881 he is living with his parents at Union Road, Faversham. They have moved to Kennaways Road by 1891 and to Ospringe Street in 1901. Fred is still living with his parents but now working as a general labourer. Fred married Sarah Rebecca HOLSTOCK in 1902. In 1911 Fred and Sarah are living with four children, Dorothy, Ivy, Fred and Albert at 25 Priory Street North Preston, Faversham. They have been married for 9 years. Fred is working as a gas stoker. Fred and Sarah had 7 children Dorothy Ellen 1903-1977, Ivy Winifred 1904-1974, Frederick John 1907- 1967, Albert Victor 1909-1990, George Henry 1912- 1950, Frank 1915-1915 and Doris Violet 1916-1981.Fred died on 9 June 1952 at Davington, Kent and obituaries highlight his love of athletics
Edward was born on 6 August 1878 at Ospringe and baptised there on 11 September 1878. In 1881 he is living with his family at Union Road, Faversham. In 1891 he is with his parents at Kennaways, Faversham. On 20 April 1895 he attested for The Royal Artillery at Woolwich aged 18 years and one month. His occupation at the time was a labourer. In 1897 he is posted to India as a gunner stationed in India where he died at Ferozepore on 31 December 1898.
Jane was born on the 8 January and baptised at Ospringe on 16 February 1881. She appears on the census that year aged 3 months with her family living at Union Road Faversham and at Kennaways in 1891. She may have married at Blean in 1904.
Clara Ellen was born at Ospringe at baptised there on the 6 February 1883 she died a baby and was buried at Ospringe on 7 March 1883.
Albert "Bertie" Henry was born at Ospringe, Kent on 2 October 1886 and baptised there on the 1 November 1886. In 1891 and 1901 he is living with his parents and family in Ospringe. In 1903 he followed in his brother Frank's footsteps and emigrated to USA arriving at New York on the SS Oceanic. He was 17 years old and single He paid for the ticket himself, was in possession of £5 and able to read and write. His destination was 821 North West 3rd Street, Salt Lake City, Utah to stay with his cousin William ARMITAGE. On 25 June 1909 he married Annie BETTEY in Salt Lake City. Annie had been married before and had children from that marriage but they went on to have 7 children of their own: Laura, Edward, Florence, May, Albert, James and Alice. Annie died in 1920 and Albert then married Eva May CADDY (HOLTMAN) on 28 December 1922 in Salt Lake City. Eva, too had been married previously and had children with her first husband. Bertie and Eva had four children together Jean, Jessie, Joan and Joyce before divorcing and both going on to marry for a third time. Bertie next married Alta (Florida) GEBHART on 12 April 1944 in Salt Lake City. Albert died on 15 November and was buried in Salt Lake City on 18 November 1954.
Gallery Top of the page
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Henry and Sarah Keen (nee Hudson) |
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Henry and Sarah Keen and their family - Hop Picking |
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William and Emma Keen (nee Cullen) |
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Henry John Keen and Annie Taylor |