Walter Brown’s story begins in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, where he was born on 12th January 1841. He was the son of Daniel Dearing Brown and Anne Maria Odell Deavin. He was baptised just a month later on Valentines day (14th February). Walter spent his early years in the Hertfordshire countryside, probably living at the family baker’s shop. with his parents and siblings, though his teenage years were soon marked by the loss of his mother, Anne, who passed away around 1856 when Walter was only fifteen.
As a young man of twenty, Walter moved toward London to find his way in the world. By April 1861, he was living in Chiswick and working as a servant grocer assistant. This role would define the rest of his professional life. Later that same year, he faced another personal loss when his father, Daniel, passed away in December.
By 1864, Walter had moved to Tottenham, Middlesex, where he established himself as a grocer on the High Roar. This was a period of rapid growth for Tottenham; as the railways expanded, it was transforming from a rural escape into a bustling London suburb.
In 1867, at the age of 26, Walter married Amelia Edgcome Richards. Their wedding took place on 12th March at the Ebenezer Chapel in Hammersmith, the officiating minister was Amelia’s father Rev. John Edgcome Richards and it was the first marriage in the new chapel. The couple were presented with a Bible on the occasion (which I now own). The couple settled in Tottenham, initially living at 6 Whitehall Terrace on the corner of 741 the High Road, where Walter would run his business and raise a large family.
Dedication inside family bible
Walter and Amelia’s home was a busy one, though it was often touched by the Victorian reality of high infant mortality. Over twenty years, they had ten children, but tragically, four of them died very young:
- Henry Walter Brown (1867–1868): Born on Christmas Day, he passed away at only seven months old of diarrhoea.
- Arthur Edgcome Brown (1869–1965): His eldest son to reach adulthood, living to the age of 96 – my great grandfather
- Amy Edith Brown (1870–1959): Born in Tottenham, she lived to be 88 years old.
- Walter Brown (1872–1878): Passed away at approximately five years of age of Bronchitis and Pneumonia.
- Millie Periam Brown (1874–1945): Born in Tottenham and lived to the age of 71.
- George Ernest Brown (1876–1962): Lived to the age of 86.
- William Robert Decon Brown (1880–1880): Lived for less than seven months, from January to August 1880 of diarrhoea.
- Emily Philippa Brown (1881–1948): Lived to be 67 years old.
- Lilian May Brown (1885–1885): Died in May 1885, just one week after her birth of Spina Bifida and convulsions.
- Percy Frank Brown (1887–1947): The youngest child, who lived to the age of 60.
Walter was clearly a dedicated businessman. For decades. In adverts from 1891, he proudly noted he had 20 years of experience. By 1910, the business had become “Walter Brown and Sons,” his son George Ernest Brown had joined him in the trade.
Photo of Walter found inside Bible
Outside of the shop, Walter was a man of faith. He served as a Deacon of the Baptist Church, reflecting his standing in the local community.
Site of Walter’s grocers shop, now Brown Eagle restaurant, opposite the entrance to Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Walter lost his wife, Amelia, in 1897. He remained at the High Road property as a widower, continuing to work well into his seventies. Walter passed away at home on 9th February 1912 at the age of 71. The cause of death was recorded as bronchitis, pneumonia, and heart failure. He was buried in Tottenham Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy of a long-standing family business which his son ran at least till WW2.
Obituary from Tottenham and Edmonton Weekly Herald
Grave in Tottenham Cemetery (with wife Amelia)
not just any family 