Mary Cockley (1826 - 1905)
the Witch of Burnham, Creeksea, Ostend, Essex, England
To return to the Witch Lore Index Page
Mary Sadler ( 1826 - 1905 )
The Witch of
Burnham ~ Creeksea ~ Ostend
Essex, England
Wife of William Cockley
~ the Coal Porter ~
~ 1826
1. MARY SADLER was born in Burnham, Essex and was baptized 07 May 1826 at the church in Burnham.
Father: William Sadler
Mother: Jane Perry click here: To see more about the parents
Mary’s father, William Sadler, was a Fisherman in Creeksea and Burnham, Essex.
~ 1841
In 1841, Mary Sadler, age 15, was living with her parents at Ferry Cottage in Creeksea, Essex.
From the 1841 census of Creeksea:
Name - Age Sex - Profession - Born in County ?
Ferry Cottage
William Sadler 35 M Sailor y
Jane Do 30 F y
Mary Do 15 F y
William Do 12 M y
Matha Do 10 F y
Sarah Do 7 F y
Elizabeth Do 5 F y
Michael Do 2 M y
Amos Do 1 M y
~ 1848
Mary Sadler married WILLIAM COCKLEY in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1848 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales Marriage Index:
Name: Mary Sadler / William Cockley
Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1848
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 12 Page: 217
William Cockley was born ca. 1816 in Tollesbury, Essex.
In the 1851 census he was described as born in “Grt. Gotham” (Grt. Totham?), Essex.
~ 1850
William and Mary Cockley's son, Daniel Cockley, was born ca. 1850 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1851
In 1851, William and Mary Cockley were living on High Street in Burnham, Essex. William was a Coal Porter.
From the 1851 census of Burnham:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
High Street
William Cockley Head Mar 34 M Coal Porter Essex Grt Gotham
Mary do Wife Mar 25 F do Burnham
Daniel do Son 1 M do do
~ 1852
William and Mary Cockley's son, William Cockley, was born ca. 1852 in Burnham, Essex
~ 1853
William and Mary Cockley's son, Daniel Cockley, died in the 1st Quarter (Jan-Feb-Mar) of 1853 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
~ 1855
William and Mary Cockley's daughter, Louisa J. Cockley, was born in the 4th Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec) of 1855 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1858
William and Mary Cockley's daughter, Elizabeth Cockley, was born in the 1st quarter (Jan-Feb-Mar) of 1858 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1860
William and Mary Cockley's daughter, Harriet Cockley, was born in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1860 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1861
In 1861, William and Mary Cockley were living on High Street in Burnham, Essex. William was a Coal Porter.
From the 1861 census of Burnham:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
High St
William Cockley Head Mar 45 M Coal Porter Tollsbury Essex
Mary do Wife Mar 34 F Burnham do
William do Son 9 M Scholar do do
Louisa do daur 5 F do do do
Elizabeth do do 3 F do do
Harriet do do 10 mo F do do
~ 1862
William and Mary Cockley's son, John Cockley, was born in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1862 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1866
William and Mary Cockley's son, Frederick Cockley, was born ca. 1866 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1867
William and Mary Cockley's daughter, Sophia Eliza Cockley, was born in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1867 in Burnham, Essex.
~ 1871
In 1871, William and Mary Cockley were living in The Quay in Burnham, Essex. William was a Coal Porter.
From the 1871 census of Burnham:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
The Quay
William Cockley Head Mar 55 M Coal Porter Essex Tollesbury
Mary “ Wife “ 43 F “ Burnham
Louisa “ Daur: 15 F Hawker “ “
Elizabeth Cockley Daur: 13 F Essex Burnham
Harriett “ “ 11 F “ “
John “ Son 9 M “ “
Frederick “ “ 5 M “ “
Sophia “ Daur: 4 F “ “
William “ Son 20 M Mariner “ “
~ 1877
William and Mary Cockley's son, William Cockley, died at the age of 26 years in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1877 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
~ 1878
William Cockley died at the age of 65 years in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1878 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales Death Index:
Name: William Cockley
Date: Apr-May-Jun 1878
Age: 65
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a Page: 172
Mary Cockley remained a widow for the next 27 years until her death.
~ 1881
In 1881, Mary Cockley, a widow, was living at Oyster Pit Yard in Burnham, Essex. She was described as a Coal Porter’s Widow.
From the 1881 census of Burnham:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
Oyster Pit Yard
Mary Cockley Head Widow 54 F Coal Porter’s Widow Essex Burnham
Harriet Do Daur Unm 20 F Domestic Servt “ “
John Do Son Unm 19 M Gardener “ “
Frederick Do “ 15 M Ag Labr “ “
Sophia Do Daur 13 F “ “
John Palmer Boarder Unm 49 M Coal Porter Suffolk Ipswich
~ also in 1881
Mary Cockley's daughter, Harriet Cockley, died at the age of 21 years in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1881 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
~ 1891
In 1891, Mary Cockley, a widow, was living on High Street in Burnham, Essex.
From the 1891 census of Burnham:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
High St 3 - Number of rooms occupied if less than five
Mary Cockley Head Wid 65 F Burnham Essex
John “ Son S 29 M Labourer Employed “ “
Frederick “ Son S 25 M “ Employed “ “
Ethel “ G Daur 4 F Maldon Union Essex
John Palmer Lodger S 60 M Labourer Employed Ipswich Suffolk
~ between 1891 and 1901
Somewhere between 1891 and 1901, Mary Cockley and some of her family moved from Burnham to Creeksea, Essex again.
~ 1901
In 1901, Mary Cockley, a widow, was living on Burnham Road in Creeksea, Essex.
From the 1901 census of Creeksea:
Name - Relationship – Married or Single – Age – Sex – Profession – Birthplace
Burnham Road 4 - Number of Rooms occupied if less than five.
Mary Cockley Head Widow 75 F Burnham Essex
John Cockley Son S 39 M Coal Porter Worker Burnham do
Frederick Cockley Son S 35 M Coal Porter Worker Burnham do
(the following is the next family on the same page)
Burnham Road 4 - Number of Rooms occupied if less than five.
Mary Prayle Head Widow 42 F Chelmsford Essex
George Prayle Son S 16 M Bricklayers Labourer Worker Burnham do
Morris Prayle Son S 15 M Bricklayers Labourer Worker Burnham do
Edward Prayle Son S 13 M Burnham do
James Prayle Son S 8 M Burnham do
James Harvey Lodger S 28 M Brick maker Worker Bradwell do
The second family in the 1901 census listing is the Playle family. In this census the family is listed as “Prayle” but upon checking the earlier censuses, the name is actually “Playle”.
You will see below why I mentioned the Playle family.
~ 1905
Mary Cockley died at the age of 81 years in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1905 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales death Index:
Name: Mary Cockley
Date: Apr-May-Jun 1905
Age: 81
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a Page: 306
Her actual age would put her more to the age of 79 base on her baptism date.
~ 1962
Eric Maple published his article "The Witches of Dengie" that appeared in the Autumn 1962 issue of the Folklore, Volume 73.
In this article he mentioned about the Witch Mary Cockley of Ostend, near Burnham-on-Crouch.
Eric Maple in 1960 interviewed a Mr. Playle who remembered Mary Cockley when he was a boy.
From the article "The Witches of Dengie", by Eric Maple:
Pages 178 to 180
"In the year 1960 I completed an investigation of the witchcraft traditions of the Dengie Hundred of South-East Essex….
Several other villages of the Hundred boasted their witches towards the close of the last century. At Ostend, near Burnham-on-Crouch, lived Mary Cockley, a woman who was feared for her power of ill wishing.
Mr. Playle of this village remembers how as a boy he refused to run an errand for her and was threatened with: 'You'll come home wetter than when you set out!' In fact he fell into a pond and almost drowned.
On returning home he was met by the jeers of the witch which so enraged his mother that she struck her with a house flannel. His mother was immediately taken ill, but whether from an evil spell or merely the effect of terror Mr. Playle cannot be sure."
As you can see that the Mr. Playle mentioned by Eric Maple in his 1962 article is most likely one of the sons of widow Mary "Prayle", the family that was listed next to Mary Cockley's family in the 1901 census.
Listed in the 1901 census were George age 16, Morris age 15, Edward age 13, and James age 8. So one of these Playle sons was the one that Witch Mary Cockley dealt with.
Children of William and Mary (Sadler) Cockley
2. DANIEL COCKLEY was born ca. 1850 in Burnham, Essex.
In 1851, Daniel Cockley, age 1, was living with his parents on High Street in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
Daniel Cockley died in the 1st Quarter (Jan-Feb-Mar) of 1853 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales Death Index:
Name: Daniel Cockley
Date: Jan-Feb-Mar 1853
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a Page: 115
3. WILLIAM COCKLEY was born ca. 1852 in Burnham, Essex.
In 1861, William Cockley, age 9, a scholar, was living with his parents on High Street in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1871, William Cockley, age 20, was living with his parents in The Quay in Burnham, Essex. William was a Mariner (see above under the parents for census details).
William Cockley died at the age of 26 years in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1877 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales Death Index:
Name: William Cockley
Year: Apr-May-Jun 1877
Age: 26
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a Page: 166
4. + LOUISA J. COCKLEY was born in the 4th Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec) of 1855 in Burnham, Essex.
Louisa married Walter Snow.
Click here: to see page on Louisa Cockley.
5. + ELIZABETH COCKLEY was born in the 1st quarter (Jan-Feb-Mar) of 1858 in Burnham, Essex.
Elizabeth married William James Vinton.
Click here: to see page on Elizabeth Cockley.
6. HARRIET COCKLEY was born in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1860 in Burnham, Essex.
From the England & Wales Birth Index:
Name: Harriet Cockly
Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1860
Registration District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a
Page: 175
In 1861, Harriet Cockley, age 10 months, was living with her parents on High Street in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1871, Harriet Cockley, age 11, was living with her parents in The Quay in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1881, Harriet Cockley, age 20, was living with her widowed mother at Oyster Pit Yard in Burnham, Essex. Harriet was a Domestic Servant (see above under the parents for census details).
Harriet Cockley died at the age of 21 years in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1881 in the Maldon registration district of Essex.
From the England & Wales Death Index:
Name: Harriet Cockley
Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1881
Age: 21
District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a Page: 197
7. JOHN COCKLEY was born in the 2nd Quarter (Apr-May-Jun) of 1862 in Burnham, Essex.
From the England & Wales Birth Index:
Name: John Cockley
Date: Apr-May-Jun 1862
Registration District: Maldon
County: Essex
Volume: 4a
Page: 205
In 1871, John Cockley, age 9, was living with his parents in The Quay in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1881, John Cockley, age 19, was living with his widowed mother at Oyster Pit Yard in Burnham, Essex. John was a Gardener (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1891, John Cockley, age 29, was living with his widowed mother on High Street in Burnham, Essex. John was a Labourer (see above under the parents for census details).
Somewhere between 1891 and 1901, the Cockley family moved from Burnham to Creeksea, Essex.
In 1901, John Cockley, age 39, was living with his widowed mother on Burnham Road in Creeksea, Essex. John was a Coal Porter (see above under the parents for census details).
8. FREDERICK COCKLEY was born ca. 1866 in Burnham, Essex.
In 1871, Frederick Cockley, age 5, was living with his parents in The Quay in Burnham, Essex (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1881, Frederick Cockley, age 15, was living with his widowed mother at Oyster Pit Yard in Burnham, Essex. John was an Agricultural Laborer (see above under the parents for census details).
In 1891, Frederick Cockley, age 25, was living with his widowed mother on High Street in Burnham, Essex. John was a Labourer (see above under the parents for census details).
Somewhere between 1891 and 1901, the Cockley family moved from Burnham to Creeksea, Essex.
In 1901, Frederick Cockley, age 35, was living with his widowed mother on Burnham Road in Creeksea, Essex. Frederick was a Coal Porter (see above under the parents for census details).
9. + SOPHIA ELIZA COCKLEY was born in the 3rd Quarter (Jul-Aug-Sep) of 1867 in Burnham, Essex.
Sophia married Henry Clayden.
Click here: to see page on Sophia Cockley.
Sources:
1. 1826 baptism of Mary Sadler. Burnham, Essex, England. Online at familysearch.org. Indexing project (batch) no. I03393-1, Source film no. 1702193. Searched on June 9, 2011 Thursday 1:50 PM.
2. 1841 Census of England, Essex, Creeksea, District 3, Image No. 4, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: HO 107/327/14, Original Page No. 8, Stamped Page No. 7, Household of William Sadler. Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 12:30 PM.
3. 1848 marriage of Mary Sadler and William Cockley. England & Wales, Marriage Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jul-Aug-Sep 1848, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 12, Page 217. Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 12:32 PM.
4. 1851 Census of England, Essex, Burnham, District 1b, Image No. 7, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: H.O. 107 / 1778, Original Page No. 7, No. of Householder’s Schedule 21, Household of William Cockley. Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 12:27 PM.
5. 1853 death of Daniel Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jan-Feb-Mar 1853, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 115. Searched on April 23, 2010 Friday 8:13 PM.
6. 1855 birth of Louisa Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Oct-Nov-Dec 1855, Registration District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 154. Searched on June 17, 2011 Friday 4:31 PM.
7. 1858 birth of Elizabeth Cockley. England & Wales Birth Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jan-Feb-Mar 1858, Registration District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 182. Searched on June 17, 2011 Friday 4:31 PM.
8. 1860 birth of Harriet Cockly. England & Wales Birth Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jul-Aug-Sep 1860, Registration District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 175. Searched on June 17, 2011 Friday 4:31 PM.
9. 1861 Census of England, Essex, Burnham, District 2h, Image No. 16, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: R.G. 9 1087, Original Page No. 16, No. of Schedule 86, Household of William Cockley. Searched on April 20, 2010 Tuesday 9:26 PM.
10. 1862 birth of John Cockley. England & Wales Birth Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Apr-May-Jun 1862, Registration District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 205. Searched on June 17, 2011 Friday 4:31 PM.
11. 1867 birth of Sophia Eliza Cockley. England & Wales Birth Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jul-Aug-Sep 1867, Registration District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 227. Searched on June 17, 2011 Friday 4:31 PM.
12. 1871 Census of England, Essex, Burnham, District 2, Image Nos. 19 & 20, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: R.G. 10 1671, Original Page Nos. 19 & 20, Stamped Page No. 34, No. of Schedule 109, Household of William Cockley. Searched on April 21, 2010 Wednesday 3:30 PM.
13. 1877 death of William Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Apr-May-Jun 1877, age 26, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 166. Searched on April 23, 2010 Friday 8:16 PM.
14. 1878 death of William Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Apr-May-Jun 1878, age 65, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 172. Searched on April 21, 2010 Wednesday 4:05 PM.
15. 1881 Census of England, Essex, Burnham, District 2, Image No. 39, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: RG 11 / 1773, Original Page No. 38, No. of Schedule 198, Household of Mary Cockley. Searched on April 21, 2010 Wednesday 3:57 PM.
16. 1881 death of Harriet Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Jun-Jul-Aug 1881, age 21, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 197. Searched on April 22, 2010 Thursday 4:34 PM.
17. 1891 Census of England, Essex, Burnham, District 2, Image No. 4, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: RG 12 / 1395, Original Page No. 4, No. of Schedule 21, Household of Mary Cockley. Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 1:11 PM.
18. 1901 Census of England, Essex, Creeksea, District 3, Image No. 1, Ancestry.com. Public Record Office reference: RG 13 / 1688, Original Page No. 1, Stamped Page No. 5, No. of Schedule 4 & 5, Household of Mary Cockley and Mary Prayle (Playle). Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 1:19 PM.
19. 1905 death of Mary Cockley. England & Wales Death Index online at Ancestry.com. Date Apr-May-Jun 1905, age 81, District Maldon, County Essex, Volume 4a, Page 306. Searched on April 16, 2010 Friday 1:07 PM.
20. 1962 Mary Cockley mentioned in the article 'The Witches of Dengie' by Eric Maple. Magazine - Folklore Volume 73 Autumn 1962. Pages 178-180. From my own copy of the magazine purchased December 5, 2009 Saturday.
1st Publication on June 18, 2011 Saturday 4:58 PM
Researched and Compiled by William Wallworth
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