H.E.’s maternal grandfather George Lucas and Samuel Houghton were cousins and close friends, growing up as neighbours in Kennel Row, Higham Ferrers. H.E. wrote Samuel into the story 'Day’s End' without changing his name, and again into the story 'A Tinker’s Donkey'.

‘Granny Houghton’ is a character in 'The Watercress Girl' and was probably Sam’s wife, Merentha. Another cousin, Silas Houghton, lived only a few doors away from George and his family in York Road. H.E. liked the name Silas, but Silas Houghton was a respected member of the community and not at all like the character ‘Uncle Silas’ who was based on H.E.’s great uncle, Joseph Betts.

Image opposite: Samuel Houghton alongside his wife, Merentha Albertha Bailey.