At the time of the 1851 England Census Edward Parker, age 8, born in West Canada, was with his parents in Churchpath, Portsea, Hampshire.
At the time of the 1861 England Census Edward G Parker, age 18, born on the sea, iron moulder (ap.), was with his parents in Broyle Lane, Ringmer Sussex.
At the time of the 1871 England Census Edward Parker, age 28, born in Kingston Canada, iron moulder, and wife Esther, age 27, born in Lewes Sussex, were living in St. John's Sussex. With them were children Clara F (5) of Brighton Sussex, Minnie H (4) of Chichester Sussex, Willie J (1) of Lewes, and Harry W (1) of Lewes. Also present was [wife's] brother George Gander (10) of Lewes.
At the time of the 1881 England Census Edward Parker, age 38, born in Canada (British subject), iron moulder, and wife Esther, age 37, born in Lewis Sussex, were living at 6 Alice Cottages, Croydon Surrey. With them were children: Clara F. (16) of Brighton Sussex, general servant, Harry W. (11) of Lewis Sussex, scholar, Willie J. (11) of Lewis Sussex, scholar, and Herbert (9) of Erith Kent, scholar.
At the time of the 1891 England Census Edward G Parker, age 48, born in Canada, iron moulder, and wife Esther, age 47, born in Lewes Sussex, were living at 91 Dennett Rd., Croydon Surrey. Present were sons: Willie J (21) of Lewes, labourer [in] saw mills, Harry W (21) of Lewes, glazier's labourer, and Herbert (19) of Erith Kent, bricklayer.
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DISTRESSING SUICIDE AT SYDENHAM STATION.
—At the Ladywell Baths, on Tuesday, on the body of Edward George Parker, ironmonger, aged 52, of 91, Dennett-road, West Croydon.—Mrs. Clara Florence Bidwell, 84, Balcombe-street, Dorset-square, W., identified the remains as those of her father, who had been mentally afflicted for the last two years, and was an inmate of Cane-hill Asylum up to November last. She went to stay at his house on Thursday last week, and deceased then appeared in a desponding state. On Friday morning he left the house saying he was going to London, and witness did not see him alive again.—Thos. Humphrey, carpenter, 21, Kent House-road, Lower Sydenham, stated that on Friday afternoon about 3.30, he was on the down platform at Sydenham Station, when he observed the deceased walk from the book-stall with some books towards a seat. Just then a train was coming along, and deceased at once threw up his hands and jumped in front of the engine. The man appeared in a dazed state at the time.—Henry Davey, engine driver on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway, said that at 3.35 on Friday afternoon he was in charge of a passenger train proceeding through Sydenham Station, when he saw deceased deliberately throw himself under the engine. The train was running from New Cross, and did not stop until it reached Norwood Junction.—Police Constable 41 P deposed to conveying the remains of deceased (which were terribly mutilated) to Lewisham Mortuary. He produced a silver watch and other articles found on the body. Verdict: "Suicide whilst of unsound mind."
Kentish Mercury, 29 March 1895, p. 2, Similar article in Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 31 March 1895, p. 3
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