http://www.studygroup.org.uk/Articles/Content/69/Liverpool%20Gypsies.htm

This is about Geoge Smith who married Corlina Lee /Kurlinda Lee – as she was baptised on 2 October 1831 in South Wooton near King’s Lynn, Norfolk – was the daughter of Charles Lee and Union Chilcott.
In about 1856 she became the partner of George ‘Lazzy’ Smith
Union Chilcott was John & Ruth Chilcott daughter

------------------------------------------------------

The Chilcotts , Lees and Smiths were associated with the "Royal Epping Forest Gypsies" who travelled England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man in the 1860s and 1870s and held dances that were open to the public, as well as putting their encampment on exhibition.

http://www.glasgownecropolis.org/index.php?id=78

http://borrowsgypsies.wordpress.com/


Cecila Chilcott – Died Sept. 29 1842, aged 28 years.’ parents John & Ruth Chilcott


The Chelmsford Chronicle of 7 October 1842

SINGULAR GYPSY FUNERAL AT LITTLE COGGESHALL. – For some time a numerous tribe of gypsies have pitched their tents in Cut Hedge Road, Little Coggeshall, and depredations having been committed in that neighbourhood during their sojourn, a suspicion has been entertained that they are the guilty parties.

Information was consequently given to the police, who, on Wednesday, the 28th July, visited their tents and instituted a strict search.
Nothing tending to incriminate them was, however, found in their abodes, which, it seems, were furnished most comfortably their bedding being of the best description, and their apartments carpeted throughout.
Their removal was insisted upon, and three carts were filled with their household ‘sticks’, which were conveyed to the White Hart Inn, where, according to our informant, they were accommodated in the stables. Amongst the parties was a young woman who had been ill for two years, and who was at the time of her removal rapidly sinking.
She, instead of her accustomed bed, it is stated, lay upon straw only in the stable, and expired on the following (Thursday) morning. Medical aid was offered, but the head of the gang declined it, saying it was their practice to attend to their own sick, and all had been done for her that could be.
As soon as life was extinct, much ceremony was observed:
The body was dressed in a Scotch plaid gown, silk stockings, and satin shoes; wax tapers were burnt, and the remains laid in state. Instructions for the funeral were given to Mr. Clements, the undertaker, and no expense was spared to render it most respectable in all its appointments.
The coffin was of fine oak, studded with gilt nails, and bore a brass plate upon which was engraved
‘Cecila Chilcott – Died Sept. 29 1842, aged 28 years.’

On Sunday last the funeral took place, and her remains were interred in the parish churchyard, by the Rev. W. Wigson, curate, in the presence of a concourse of between four and five thousand persons.
The pall was supported by four respectably dressed females, deeply veiled, and about thirty of the tribe followed all dressed in black, the men wearing black cloth cloaks.
The greatest decorum was observed by the whole of the party, and a more respectable funeral, we understand, has not been seen in the town for many years.
We are credibly informed that in the coffin were placed by the side of the body the deceased’s watch and a purse of money, for the protection of which a person is appointed to watch the grave for some weeks.
The father of the deceased, attributing the death of his daughter to the removal by the police threatens to take legal proceedings against the parties.
*************************************

From The Huddersfield Chronicle and West Yorkshire Advertiser, 17 March 1866

VISIT OF A GIPSY QUEEN –DEATH IN THE CAMP One of the topics and events which have been exciting attention in the town and district in the past week is the encampment at Moldgreen of an influential, wealthy and withal royal tribe of gipsies.

There is no deception as to the genuineness of this tribe: their complacent manners, customs, gorgeous style of dress, peculiar and interesting features, and other characteristics, go to show that they are an itinerant race of semi-Egyptians. From time immemorial the Zingari or wandering tribes have been noted for their detestation of stone and brick buildings with slated roofs, and the boast of their patriarchs has ever been that they never “disgraced” themselves by sleeping under a “tiled” roof.
Many of these itinerants are very wealthy, and the tribe which on Tuesday pitched its tent in Mr. John Poppleton’s field, behind the place where the old weighing machine formerly stood, is one of this stamp.
No sooner was it known that gipsys had taken up their quarters in that locality than hundreds repaired thither in order to catch a glimpse of these singular creatures.

On Tuesday no fewer than 700 persons visited the camp, and it is not too much to state that the courtesy of the new comers not only surpassed expectations, but would have done credit to the most superb society. The party denominate themselves the “Queen Tribe of Epping Forest;” and the camp consists of six separate tents, on one of which–constructed of white canvass–is hoisted a red flag, on which a number of Moorish or Egyptian hieroglyphics are emblazoned, indicating the tent of the Queen of the tribe.
This royal personage, on Tuesday evening, was very richly attired, and her jewels are said to be exceedingly costly. After a sojourn of five weeks at Halifax, the party’s next station as above stated, is at Moldgreen, whither they were brought by 16 fine horses. The six tents are arranged on the upper side of the field, so that the occupants may be sheltered from the east winds, and at the same time command a full view of any person who enters the field. The tribe consists of eight families, sprung from one head, and are known as the Chillcott tribe, numbering about 50 individuals.
The chief trade in which these migratory people embark is horse dealing; but they also engage in various branches of industry. Early on Thursday morning the gipsy encampment was all astir, consequent on the death of the mother and grandmother of the tribe, who, singular to relate, attained the 78th year of her age on the day of her death
. Mrs. Chillcott has lately suffered much from indisposition, and has been attended by several medical gentlemen, none of whom could persuade her to leave the tent. A few days prior to their removal from Halifax, the old lady improved, but on reaching Huddersfield on Tuesday, although able to move about, she found herself much weaker, and, notwithstanding every attention and kindness, expired shortly after 1 o’clock on Thursday morning, a few minutes before the arrival of Mr. Gardiner, surgeon, who had been sent for. Deceased retained possession of her faculties to the last, and expressed a wish to be buried among others of her relatives at Birkenhead, where it is proposed to inter the remains.
The preparations for the funeral have been entrusted to Mr. Oldfield of Moldgreen. A most substantial coffin has been made from British oak, and is to be surmounted by a breast-plate of solid copper. As a token of respect to the memory of the deceased, the “Queen” lowered her flag, and members of the tribe attired themselves in sable garments.

Familysearch.orgJohn Riley Chilcott bapt 2nd Nov 1823 Norwich NorfolkParents John & Ruth Chilcott
John Chilcott bapt 25th Dec 1825 Norfolk
Parents John & Ruth Chilcott/Boss
Kaizia Chilcote bapt 25th Oct 1829 Gresham NorfolkMother Union Chilcote