Jane Wood was born in Colchester, Essex, in 1827.
Jane, 20yrs, married George Dredge 26yrs, a printer, in 1848 in Marylebone, London. They had 6 children, George b.1849, Frederick b.1851, Agnes b.1852, Edgar b.1854, Walter b.1857, and Leonard b.1860. By 1861 George had become a master printer, employer of 4, and the family were living in East London.
On 23rd September 1861, George was prosecuted at the Old Bailey, London, accused of stealing from his Master, Charles Skipper, on 1st April 1861, 31lbs of metal type and 1500 metal print types. Although the stolen items were found in George's house, where he ran his own printing business in addition to being employed as a printer for Charles Skipper, his defence was that he had paid for the items and after conflicting witness statements, he was found not guilty.
After moving to Islington, in 1871 Jane was a mantle-maker (ladies tailoress). She described herself as head of the household, and although still married, George did not appear on another census, suggesting that they had parted. He died in 1897, aged 82yrs.
Jane was living in Shoreditch in 1881, she was still a mantle-maker, her sons, Walter and Leonard were both mantle manufacturers assistants. From 1901, Jane lived with her married daughter, Agnes Bunting, moving to DArcy, Cowper Road, Worthing, Sussex, with them sometime after 1911, where she died, aged 90yrs, on 23rd November 1916.
Probate was granted to Frederick Dredge, Civil Servant, effects, £118 7s 3d. Value 2022 - £11K.