Edward Briggs, 1872-1955
Ted Briggs was one of a number of singers from whom Francis Collinson collected a single song. Born on 27th July 1872 and baptised on 29th September 1872, he appears to have lived in Bethersden practically his entire life. His parents were James, an agricultural labourer, and Mary née Woodcock, both natives of Bethersden. At the age of 8, the 1881 Census listed Edward as a scholar, living with his Aunt and Uncle Elizabeth and James Dunster, in The Street, Bethersden. In 1891 he was a grocer’s assistant for Jabez T Joy, grocer and farmer, at Knoxbridge, Frittenden. In 1894 he married Alice Adesa (or Avisa) Oliver, and the two subsequent censuses showed them living in The Street, with two sons. The younger son, George, was still living with his parents in 1921, at Elizabeth House, The Street. Ted is listed in these census records as agricultural labourer or general farm labourer – or, in 1911, as “Worker on farm sometimes with portable steam saw”.
In September 1939, he was living with his wife Alice at 10 Council Houses, Bethersden, and listed as a casual labourer. A short obituary in the Kentish Express, 11th November 1955 stated that he had been a road foreman for West Ashford Council before his retirement, around 18 years previously. He was buried in the churchyard of Bethersden parish church on 5th November 1955.
Songs
- Kitty Gray (Roud 3692)