David Muncey (1864 - )

David Muncey was born in 1864 in Cambridge Town, Cambridge. He was the son of George Muncey (1845 - 1922) and Eliza Ruth Muncey (1845 - 1892) of Reed, Hertfordshire. David was the eldest of 13 children, born in a 26-year period before Eliza's death.

David Muncey married Elizabeth Hale (1845 - ).

David and Elizabeth had 14 children, including two sets of twins, between 1885 and 1908, all in Enfield:

Agnes Elizabeth Muncey (1885 - 1931)
Georgina Ruth Muncey (1887 - )
David George Muncey (1889 - )
Rachel Hannah Muncey (1890 - )
Elizabeth Annie Muncey (1894 - )
Simon Muncey (1894 - )
Frederick Richard Muncey (1896 - )
Cecil William Muncey (1898 - )
Esther Mary Muncey (1900 - )
Alfred Israel Muncey (1900 - )
Gladys Muncey (1903 - )
Dorothy Muncey (1905 - )
Constance Muncey (1906 - )
Minnie Muncey (1908 - )

1901 Census, Enfield

In the 1901 Census, David (38) and Elizabeth (37) are living in the fullest blush of family life at 11 King's Arms Terrace Court(?) in Enfield with Georgina (14) a nursemaid, David (12), Rachel (11), Elizabeth (7), Fred (5), Cecil (3), Esther (1) and Alfred (4 months). The record seems to suggest that David is in the Navy at that time. There is no record of Simon (7), although he appears in the 1911 Census as a 17 year-old.

1911 Census, Enfield

By 1911, David (48) and Elizabeth (47) are living in 5 rooms at 21 Clarence Rd, Pondiz(?) End, Edmonton. The Census record of that year is particularly intriguing, because David had provided the names and status of all his children, not merely those living with him -- forcing the census-taker to strike out many of the names before it was signed. We see that David is a general labourer with a Nurseryman.  His 22-year old son David is working with him. Frederick (15) and Cecil (13) are both working on a farm. With them are Esther (11), Alfred (9), Gladys (8), Dorothy (6) and Minnie (3). Crossed off the list are: Agnes (25) and Georgina (24), both now married. Rachel (21), Simon (17), Annie (17) and Constance (5) have also been ruled off the list.


The size of these families is somewhat shocking but, perhaps, not unusual of the era. Still, we note that David would have been 28 years old when his mother, Eliza, died (presumably) in childbirth. At that point, he and Elizabeth have already had 4 children, including a set of twins. Is it possible that David would have asked himself whether or not he wanted to risk Elizabeth's young life to re-create his father's enormous family? Did Elizabeth have second-thoughts?


Further details of David and Elizabeth's lives will be posted as it is received.