Little is known about Robert E Line other than that he worked as clerk to a provisions merchant in   Brixton, south-east London. The only quotation attributed to him which has survived through the generations was on the occasion he looked out of the window and said "Who`s that young fellow being chased by the coppers?"  The reply came from   son Harry, "It`s your boy Bill".  At the turn of the 20th century he had his wife committed to a Sanatorium to be treated for alcoholism. She eventually died in the establishment. The only member of the family ever to visit her there was her son Thomas William.  She was not allowed release for Thomas`s wedding on Christmas Day 1902

 

 

Kate Line, nee Ward - wife of Robert E Line. This photograph would have been taken about 1870 long before the ravages of bringing up a large family took its toll aided and abetted by relative poverty and an addiction to gin - a not uncommon story in Victorian London.

The earliest known photograph of almost the entire Line family, probably taken around 1895 at the family home at 18 London Road, Southwark, London.  Back row L to R: Robert E Line, sons: Harry,  William, Thomas William, and George Frederick. Front row: son Edward  Line, mother Kate  and far right, daughter Frances Maud. The woman seated next to Kate Line is unknown but could be the wife of Harry. The remaining children are Kate`s daughters , Margaret Ellen (Nell) and  Kate  Agnes (Kitty). The baby is probably Harry`s first son.

Links to sons:

Thomas William Line (1877)

George Frederick Line (1880)

The other children

There are huge gaps in the history of Robert Emerson Line`s immediate family - virtually no records or photographs exist.   We would be more than pleased to hear from the descendants of  eldest son Harry, who had three sons, and who worked as a maintenance carpenter for Trollope and Colls, also descendants of daughters Kate, Maud, Nell and Kit and sons Bill and Edward. Edward lived for many years at Herne Bay in Kent. Maud married Jack Leach.

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      Line Family

Robert E Line (1875)

Very little is known about Robert E Line other than he died "very young" Robert married Alice (maiden name not known) in 1894. They had two children - Robert (1895) and Grace (1899)

Henry "Harry" Line (1876)

Second son of Robert E Line. He worked as a maintenance carpenter for Trollope and Colls in South London. He married and had three sons.

 

William "Bill" Line (1876?)

This picture was almost certainly taken in the 1930s. All that is known about Bill is that he operated a greengrocers stall in Peckham Lane, South-East London and was frequently in trouble with the police. Bill was the third son of Robert E Line which puts his birth at around 1876. There is no trace of the family on the 1881 census nor does Bill appear on the 1891 census. He was absent from his brother Thomas`s wedding. The only conclusion, given his track record, is that he was "inside".

   Kate Agnes "Kitty" Line (1885)

  First daughter of Robert  Emerson and Kate Line. Nothing more is known.

Frances Maud Line(1891)

Margaret Ellen "Nell" Line (1894)

Frances Maud  who was usually referred to as Maud -  pictured right with sister Margaret Ellen who was known as Nell or Nelly. Maud was later to marry Jack Leach. The photograph was probably taken around 1910