George Tooth

husband of

 Ada Gertrude Hudgell

(Who claimed he was the legitimate son of John Henry De la Poer Berrisford

 Marquess of Waterford and Florence Vivian, his wife)

     George Tooth, a gardener, or as he was know sometimes as John Tooth, or George Tooth, Godfrey or Berrisford, sometimes its hard to know which name he did use the most and which one was his rightful name.

     Admission was granted on January 13 1872 from Holborn Union Workhouse to Georgina Tooth an  entry of January 24 1872 in their books showed that - Georgina Tooth, a servant, aged 23 single because she was pregnant and was without means.

     George was born to Georgina Tooth on 25th January 1872.  But at just a few days old on February 3rd his mother died. 

Holborn Union Workhouse

    In the early part of 1872 Lady Waterford was for a few weeks at the Franciscan Covent in Portobello Road. She heard from her maid and companion, Mrs. White that the cook’s sister had given birth to a child in a workhouse and the mother had been deserted and had died. The child was taken to the convent for a few days and then arrangements were made for it to be taken care of.

     She sent Pricilla Kynaston to the guardians of Holborn Workhouse to take the child to the convent, and on February 21 1872 it was christened in the name of 'George Tooth' he was registered as John and was christened George.

     Lady Waterford taking pity on George arranged for his care to be taken on by a Mrs. Duncan, who was a monthly nurse. Compassion alone on the part of Lady Waterford determined her to provide for him.

     During the next few months Lady Waterford herself became pregnant and gave birth to a still born child and as her health worsened she died on April 4, 1873

George Tooth claimed there was a conspiracy between the Waterford family and he was this child.

     George had been a working gardener, and owing to lack of means he had not been able to bring his case before or to bring a suit for perpetuation of testimony. The question was whether the George Tooth was the legitimate son of John Henry De la Poer Marquess of Waterford and Florence Vivian, his wife, or whether he was the natural son of Georgina Tooth.

     In July 1902, George Tooth  wrote to the sixth Lord Waterford saying that he was the son of the late marquess who had died in 1895 and asking for the 'necessary capital to obtain a start in life.' The solicitors of the marquess replied that it was 'quite untrue that he was any relation.

      In1905 he also wrote to Lord Waterford asking him to assist himself and his family to go to the Colonies. The letter continued: 'I am willing to sign any document not to trouble your lordship again or any member of the family.

At one point it was reported in The Daily News:- ‘There is a man walking about London in a tall hat and frock coat with a board on his back and before him saying ‘I am the Marquess of Waterford and I am doing this to get money to claim my title’

     He also wrote to Lord Waterford, and received answers. He had only kept one letter dated July 3 1895. That stated that Lord Waterford had started him in life, and he must do for himself in future.

     Lord Waterford knew that he was working as a gardener, and approved of that occupation. In 1896 he (George) became engaged to be married.  He gave instructions for the banns and gave his name as George Tooth; he did not mention the name of Godfrey.

     After the marriage he saw Mrs. Godfrey in the vestry. She wanted him to put down his name as George Tooth, he did not mention the name of Godfrey and that name was written down by the vicar at her dictation. She also gave his age. He made no objection, as he did not then know his age.

   Read this amusing story of him trying to obtain money from the Waterford family, or was he telling the truth was he the rightful son???

Reports from each days proceedings from The Times:

News of the World March 3rd 1915 

The Times November 13th 1917 

The Times 30th January 1918 

The Times 1st February 1918 

Times Editorial February 2nd 1918 

The Times February 2nd 1918 

The Times Law Report February 26th 1919 

The Times A Solicitors Bill February 27th 1919 

The lives of: Ada Gertrude Hudgell 

George Tooth