PART 11: THE PALMER FAMILY TREE
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| A Diagram of the Palmer, Wheeler & Gillingham Trees |
106.0 Ancestors of GGM Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)
Hannah Maria Palmer was the daughter of GGGP James John Palmer (1834-1912) and Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924). GGM Hannah Maria Palmer was born in Jan 1862 in Fawley, Southampton Hampshire. By 1871 she had moved with her parents GGGP James Palmer and Elizabeth Wheeler to Creekmore in Dorset which is only 5m from Wimborne. It was whilst she was living in the Wimborne area that she met and married GGF Richard Northover b1856 in 1883, thereby joining the Palmer Family to the Northover family tree (see 83.0 for her married life and 107.1 for her early life).
106.1 GGGP James John Palmer (1834-1912) & Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924)
GGM Hannah Palmer’s father GGGF James John Palmer was born in Weymouth, but baptised on 2 Mar 1834 at Melcombe Regis. His parents were GGGGP James Palmer, iron moulder and his wife Mary Palmer nee Bishop (See 108.0).
By 1841 GGGF James Palmer was 7 and living with his parents, who had moved seven miles to Cuckolds Row, Fordington. Then in 1851 the family moved to 56 High St, Fordingham (see 108.0) where James lived until his marriage in 1860. During the 1850’s James somehow met GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler, who lived some 50 miles away in Fawley, Hampshire and a romance developed.
GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler was the second known child of her family and was born on 17 April 1836 in Hampshire. She lived with her parents up until she was a young adult. (See 111.0) At the time of her marriage in Fawley, New Forest on 26 May 1860 her occupation was given as servant so she may have been living elsewhere for her employment.
GGGF James John Palmer 24 married GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler 23 on 26 May 1860 in her home town of Fawley, Hampshire.
At first, the young couple lodged at West Cowes on the Isle of Wight with Tabitha West, a mariner’s wife and her family at 25 Temperance Lane, Northwood, Hampshire. Then they moved to Southampton before finally moving to Poole, where most of their children were born. They named their first son David after Elizabeth Wheeler's father GGGGF David Wheeler b1804.
GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler was the second known child of her family and was born on 17 April 1836 in Hampshire. She lived with her parents up until she was a young adult. (See 111.0) At the time of her marriage in Fawley, New Forest on 26 May 1860 her occupation was given as servant so she may have been living elsewhere for her employment.
GGGF James John Palmer 24 married GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler 23 on 26 May 1860 in her home town of Fawley, Hampshire.
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| 1861 Census Isle of Wight: Newly weds James & Elizabeth Palmer nee Wheeler lodging with the West family. |
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| 1871 Census Creekmore, Canford: James & Elizabeth Palmer and their 5 children |
NOTE 1: Iron Moulders were skilled workers in Iron foundries. “Casting iron or any metal in a foundry was a dangerous job and was relatively "unskilled" compared to the men who made the wooden patterns and moulders who then produced the moulds from sand - too damp and the mould would explode from the expanding steam and gases. So the moulder had to be skilled and quick, not only did quality of the casting depend on him, but men's lives too. Hence more pay.”
NOTE 2: The large Waterloo Iron Foundry had been established by Edward Howell in 1813. During the early to mid-part of the 19th century the area around Hatch Pond started to develop and became known as 'Waterloo'. The Iron foundry built on what is now the Borough of Poole depot on Hatch Pond Road. The present day Holly Hedge Lane also had cottages for the foundry workers. (from www.canfordheath.com/history). A picture can be found at www.poolehistory.org.uk.
In the 1870's Elizabeth gave birth to three more daughters. The first was given the same name as her deceased sister (Rose Ellen Palmer b1872) and the others were Lizzie Palmer b1873 and Louisa Palmer b1875
By 1881 GGGP James and Elizabeth Palmer had moved to Shillingstone St (now Blandford Rd), Shilling Okeford and were living next to the 'Old Ox Inn'. Elizabeth had given birth to their three youngest children since the previous census, making eight in their first sixteen years of marriage. The family consisted of James Palmer 46 moulder, Elizabeth Palmer 45, David Palmer 17 moulder, James Palmer 16 labourer, Harry Palmer 13 servant, Edwin G. Palmer 11, Rose E. Palmer 9, Lizzie Palmer 8 and Louisa Palmer 6. Eldest daughter GGM Hannah Maria Palmer 18 had moved out of home and was living and working at an unknown location at this time. As they were now some 20 miles from Poole, James probably caught the steam train to work as the station was only a half mile from their house.
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| 1881 census Shilling Okeford: James & Elizabeth Palmer & 7 children |
By 1881 GGGP James and Elizabeth Palmer had moved to Shillingstone St (now Blandford Rd), Shilling Okeford and were living next to the 'Old Ox Inn'. Elizabeth had given birth to their three youngest children since the previous census, making eight in their first sixteen years of marriage. The family consisted of James Palmer 46 moulder, Elizabeth Palmer 45, David Palmer 17 moulder, James Palmer 16 labourer, Harry Palmer 13 servant, Edwin G. Palmer 11, Rose E. Palmer 9, Lizzie Palmer 8 and Louisa Palmer 6. Eldest daughter GGM Hannah Maria Palmer 18 had moved out of home and was living and working at an unknown location at this time. As they were now some 20 miles from Poole, James probably caught the steam train to work as the station was only a half mile from their house.
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| Old Ox Inn Blandford Rd., Shillingstone |
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| 1891 Census Wimborne: James & Elizabeth Palmer nee Wheeler living in Wimborne next to William & Caroline Loader |
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| 1901 census Poole: James & Elizabeth Palmer living with grandson George Northover |
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| 1911 Census Poole |
The date of GGGF James John Palmer’s death is not known, but the EDI lists a John J. Palmer dying in 1912 at the age of 78 (with the death registered at Poole) which is likely to have been our James. GGGM Elizabeth Palmer nee Wheeler died in Sep 1924 at Christchurch Hampshire aged 88 (EDI).
107.0 Nine children of GGGP James Palmer (1834-1912) & Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924)
Even though James and Elizabeth's nine children were born in the latter half of the nineteenth century there is much that is unknown about them. In fact one child (probably born around the mid 1870's) is unknown as they died as an infant. There is room for more research here.
107.1 GGM Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)
Hannah Maria Palmer was born Jan 1862 in Fawley, Southampton Hampshire. By 1864 her parents had moved to Longfleet, Poole for the birth of their first son and Hannah's brother, David (possibly in Poole Hospital). In 1871 Hannah Maria Palmer was living at Creekmoor, Poole with her family consisting of James Palmer 37 iron moulder, Elizabeth Palmer 36, Hannah Palmer 9, David Palmer 7, James Palmer 6, Harry Palmer 3 and Edwin Palmer 1. All children apart from the youngest were attending school. A few months later baby Rose Ellen Palmer arrived. Their address was close to the Waterloo Iron Foundry where presumably Hannah's father James worked and the family probably lived in Holly Hedge Lane.
GGM Hannah Maria Palmer did not appear in the 1881 census with her parents. At that time she was 18 and had probably taken up employment. This work may have been in the Wimborne area which was about 5 miles away. (Some sections of the 1881 Wimborne census are not available online and this may be the reason her record cannot be found.) Another clue that this may be fact, is that Hannah Maria married GGF Richard Northover at Wimborne in 1883. At that time Richard was living in New Borough Rd, Wimborne (not far from the station and less than a mile from King St. where Hannah's parents were living in 1891) and worked on the railways as a porter, so they could have easily met at the railway station. After their marriage GGP Richard and Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer went on to have six children. For more details of GGM Hannah Maria Palmer's life with Richard Northover see 83.0.
GGM Hannah Maria Palmer did not appear in the 1881 census with her parents. At that time she was 18 and had probably taken up employment. This work may have been in the Wimborne area which was about 5 miles away. (Some sections of the 1881 Wimborne census are not available online and this may be the reason her record cannot be found.) Another clue that this may be fact, is that Hannah Maria married GGF Richard Northover at Wimborne in 1883. At that time Richard was living in New Borough Rd, Wimborne (not far from the station and less than a mile from King St. where Hannah's parents were living in 1891) and worked on the railways as a porter, so they could have easily met at the railway station. After their marriage GGP Richard and Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer went on to have six children. For more details of GGM Hannah Maria Palmer's life with Richard Northover see 83.0.
107.2 David Palmer (1863-1947)
David was born 13 Oct 1863 at Longfleet, Poole. During 1871-1881 he lived with his parents and became an iron moulder like his father and grandfather. On 26 Dec 1896 David married Emma Withers (b1871 Andover) at St Marys in Andover, Hampshire (EMI). In 1901 David Palmer 36 iron moulder and Emma Palmer nee Withers 29 were living at Trowbridge.
By 1911 they had moved to 12 Woodrow Tce, Melkshan and David Palmer 47 iron moulder and Emma Palmer nee Withers 39 had a son named David James Palmer 3.
By 1939 David 76 was a retired iron moulder and Emma, who was 68, was incapacitated. They were living with their son David Palmer b1907 a baker and his family in Trowbridge.
David Palmer b1863 died in Mar 1947 age 84 at Trowbridge. His son David James Palmer 69 died in 1966, also at Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Probate for the son’s will was granted to his wife Kathleen May Palmer and his effects were valued at £5556.
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| 1911 census 12 Woodrow Terrace Melksham: David & Emma Palmer with their son |
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| 1939 Register: Clarendon Ave, Trowbridge. David & Emma Palmer nee Whithers were living with their son & his family |
David Palmer b1863 died in Mar 1947 age 84 at Trowbridge. His son David James Palmer 69 died in 1966, also at Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Probate for the son’s will was granted to his wife Kathleen May Palmer and his effects were valued at £5556.
107.3 James Palmer (1865-1940)
James was born in 1865 at Canford, Poole. From 1871-1881 he lived with his parents. At 17 he was working as a labourer.
On 26 Dec 1885 James married Eliza Wareham 20 at Wimborne. James 21 was listed as a gardener and his father as a moulder. Witnesses were George Gillingham and Rose Wareham. The couple moved to Holdenhurst, Bournemouth and by 1891 James Palmer 27 was a worker with the railways. James and Eliza Palmer nee Wareham 25 had three children: Lily Louisa Palmer 4, Elizabeth Rose Palmer 3 and William James Palmer 1 month.
In 1901 the family was living at 13 Courthill Park Rd, Parkstone and two more children had arrived. The family now consisted of James Palmer 36 Engine Driver (Railways), Eliza Palmer 35 (b1830), Elizabeth Rose Palmer 13, William James Palmer 11, Florence May Palmer 6 and Frank Palmer 1 (actually 3). Daughter Lily aged 14 was working as a servant for the Owen family in Bournemouth. A fourth daughter, Ethel Violet Palmer, had been born in 1900 (baptised 1901) but must have been staying elsewhere as she was not listed.
James & Eliza Palmer nee Wareham's sixth child, Ethel Violet Palmer, was born on 24 Feb 1900 (EBI) ,whilst the family was living at 13 Courthill Rd, Parkstone. James' occupation was engine driver.
On 12 Oct 1907 daughter Elizabeth Rose Palmer 19 married Sidney Percy Lionel Joiner 22, carpenter at St Peters, Parkstone. James Palmer, engine driver was listed as her father. Elizabeth's father James Palmer, engine driver, and sister Lily Louisa Palmer were listed as witnesses.
On 10 Sep 1910, daughter Lily Louisa Palmer 24 married Frank Stickland 26 mechanic at St Peters, Parkstone. Lily listed her father as James Palmer, engineer. Witnesses were James Palmer and Mary Emily Sarah Joiner (sister of Sidney Joiner above). Lily's father is incorrectly listed as 'Edward', but a note in the margin corrects this error. See note about Lily below.
James and Eliza Palmer nee Wareham were still in the same house in 1911 but the family had grown to include James Palmer 46 engine driver at an "Electric Works", Eliza Palmer 44, William Palmer 20 butcher, Frank Palmer 13, Violet Palmer 11 and Edwin Palmer 8. Eliza recorded on the census that during her life she had given birth to seven children, all of whom were still living. Before 1913, James and Eliza moved to 42 Courthill Rd. where they were still living in 1920. In that year their son Frank was also on the electoral roll as he had now attained the voting age of 21. In 1930 James Palmer was working as a power station attendant.
James Palmer died in Poole in 1940 aged 76. Wife Eliza Palmer nee Wareham died in 1945 in Poole aged 80.
NOTE: Daughter Lily Louisa Stickland nee Palmer and husband Frank Stickland settled at 18 Green Rd in Poole and had four children; Cyril George Stickland in 1912, Vera Lily Stickland in 1913, Olive Grace Stickland in 1915 and Winifred May Stickland in 1917 (born a few months before her father's tragic death). Happy times came to an end with the start of WW1. Frank joined the army reserve in Dec 1915, but was mobilised on 31 May 1916. Within a month Frank was fighting overseas and somehow survived over one year in the trenches on the battlefield. Tragically he was killed in action in France, just a few months before the end of the war on 19 Apr 1918. Frank Stickland was buried in the Acheax British Cemetery which is situated between Albert and Doullens north of Amiens. Lily went on to remarry in 1930. She died aged 82 in 1969 in Poole.
NOTE 2: Daughter Ethel Violet Palmer b1900 married James William Bryant in London in 1921, but divorced him and remarried in 1930.
The marriage registration for Ethel's second marriage to Arthur Batty tells us that her father was working as a power station attendant in 1930.
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| James Palmer 21 married Eliza Wareham 20 on 26 Dec 1885 at Wimborne |
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| 1901 census Parkstone: James & Eliza & four children. |
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| Ethel Violet Palmer born 24 Feb 1900, baptised 24 Feb 1901 was the 6th child of James & Eliza Palmer nee Wareham |
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| Elizabeth Rose Palmer married Sidney Percy Joiner om 12 Oct 1907 at St Peters, Parkstone |
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| Lily Louse Palmer married Frank Strickland on 10 Sep 1910 at Parkstone |
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| 1911 census: James & Eliza Palmer nee Wareham, with 4 children |
James Palmer died in Poole in 1940 aged 76. Wife Eliza Palmer nee Wareham died in 1945 in Poole aged 80.
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| Frank & Lily Louisa Stickland nee Palmer c1916 with their three eldest children |
NOTE 2: Daughter Ethel Violet Palmer b1900 married James William Bryant in London in 1921, but divorced him and remarried in 1930.
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| 2nd marriage of Ethel Violet Palmer 30 to Arthur Batty 33 at Wandsworth, London on 4 Apr 1930 |
107.4 Harry Palmer (1868-1960)
Harry was born in 1868 at Waterloo, Poole. During 1871-1881 he lived with his parents and was working as a servant at the age of 13. In the 1880's Harry's family moved to King St, Wimborne and at some point during that decade Harry met Martha Joiner b1860) who was working as a servant in West Boro, Wimborne.
NOTE: Harry's niece Elizabeth Rose Palmer (see 107.3) married Sidney Joiner b1885. Sidney was the son of Lionel b1863 and Dinah Joiner. Martha Joiner was the daughter of William b1824 and Ann Joiner. Both 'Joiner'' families came from Wimborne so are very likely related.
In 1890, Harry 22 married older woman Martha Joiner 30 in her home town of Wimborne (EMI).
In 1991 Harry and Martha were living in Aston Grey Lodge, Western Rd, Poole and Harry 24 was still working as a domestic servant/gardener. There were no changes to their address and occupations by 1901, but Harry and Martha’s family had grown with the birth of three children; Edith Ellen Palmer 9, Alice Palmer 6 and Sarah L Palmer 2.
There were no changes to their address and occupations by 1901, but Harry and Martha’s family had grown with the birth of three children; Edith Ellen Palmer 9, Alice Palmer 6 and Sarah L Palmer 2
In 1911 the family still resided at Aston Greys Lodge, Branksome Park, Bournemouth. Harry Palmer was 43 and still a gardener, Martha Palmer was 51 and the only child living at home was Sarah Louisa Palmer 12. The census notes that Martha had given birth to three children who were all still alive. In 1915 Harry was the only member of the family listed on the Electoral Roll but in 1918 both Harry and Martha were listed as living at Luscombe Lodge, Sandbanks Rd. Poole. This is listed as their address at least until 1921. Martha Palmer nee Joiner aged 91 died in 1951 at Poole. Harry Palmer 92 (of Luscombe Lodge) died at Christchurch Hospital on the 23 Oct 1960 and probate was granted to Alice Palmer, spinster (Harry's daughter). His effects were valued £1780.
NOTE: Harry's niece Elizabeth Rose Palmer (see 107.3) married Sidney Joiner b1885. Sidney was the son of Lionel b1863 and Dinah Joiner. Martha Joiner was the daughter of William b1824 and Ann Joiner. Both 'Joiner'' families came from Wimborne so are very likely related.
In 1890, Harry 22 married older woman Martha Joiner 30 in her home town of Wimborne (EMI).
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| 1891 Census Parkstone: Newlyweds Harry and Martha Palmer nee Joiner |
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| 1901 Census Poole: Harry & Martha Palmer nee Joiner & three children |
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| 1911 Census: harry & Martha Palmer nee Joiner with daughter Sarah |
107.5 Edwin George Palmer (1869-1951)
Edwin was born on 18 Sep 1869 at Poole and lived with his parents from 1871-1881. In Apr 1894 he married Alice Mary Potter (EMI) who was born in 1874 in Reading.
By the 1901 census they settled at St Giles, Reading, Berkshire and Edwin G Palmer 31 worked in a paper warehouse, Alice M Palmer was 25 and they had two boys; Reginald J Palmer 4 (b1897) and Gerald S Palmer 1.
In 1911 they were living at 104 Club Garden Rd, Sheffield and Edwin George Palmer 41 had become a commercial traveler selling wallpaper, Alice Mary Palmer nee Potter was 36, and the couple had three boys; Reginald James Palmer 14 who worked in a solicitor’s office (possibly in his Uncle Stephen Bragg’s office see 107.8) and Gerald Stanley Palmer 11 and Edwin Leslie Palmer 6 who were still at school. The census tells us that Alice had another child but they had died as an infant.
Alice had one more child in 1912, who they named Margaret J. Palmer. By 1939 Edwin and Alice had moved to Paignton, Devon. Edwin was a retired wallpaper salesman and they were living with their youngest daughter Margaret 27, who was an invalid.
Edwin George Palmer died in Mar 1951 at Reading, Berkshire aged 81. Son Reginald James Palmer also died in Reading in 1932 aged 34.
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| 1901 census 86 Radistock Rd, Reading: Edwin & Alice Palmer nee Potter and 2 children |
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| 1911 Census Sheffield |
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| 1939 Register: 22 Lower Polsham Rd, Paignton. Edwin & Alice with adult daughter Margaret Palmer |
Edwin George Palmer died in Mar 1951 at Reading, Berkshire aged 81. Son Reginald James Palmer also died in Reading in 1932 aged 34.
107.6 Rose Ellen Palmer (1871-1871)
In the 1911 census GGGP James Palmer (1834-1912) & Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924) reported that Elizabeth had given birth to nine children of whom one had died as an infant.
This child appears to have been Rose Ellen Palmer born in mid 1871 at Creekmore, Poole. If this is so, she died as an infant, because another daughter was born the following year with the same name. That daughter nominated her birth date as 19 Nov 1872 on the 1939 Register. Also an 1872 birth date fits better with later census records and the age given on her marriage and death registrations (See below).
This child appears to have been Rose Ellen Palmer born in mid 1871 at Creekmore, Poole. If this is so, she died as an infant, because another daughter was born the following year with the same name. That daughter nominated her birth date as 19 Nov 1872 on the 1939 Register. Also an 1872 birth date fits better with later census records and the age given on her marriage and death registrations (See below).
107.7 Rose Ellen Palmer (1872-1965)
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| Rose Ellen Fry nee Palmer |
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| Rose Ellen Palmer married George Edward Fry at Wimborne on 27 Aug 1893 |
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| 1911 census Poole. George & Rose Ellen Fry nee Palmer |
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| Rose Ellen Palmer and husband George Fry |
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| 1939 Census Sterte Rd Poole: Rose and George Fry |
George Edward Fry died on 27 Dec 1951. Probate was granted to wife Rose with effects valued at £2489
Rose Ellen Fry of 74 Sterte Rd, Poole died on 2 Oct 1965 aged 93. Probated was granted to George Edward Fry, gardener and the family solicitor, with effects valued at £4962.
107.8 Lizzie (Elizabeth) Palmer (1873-?)
Lizzie was born in mid 1873 and lived with her parents until the 1890's. By 1891 her family consisting of GGGP James 58 and Elizabeth Palmer 58 had moved to King St, Wimborne Minster and only the two youngest daughters Lizzie Palmer 17 and Louisa Palmer 15 were living at home.
107.9 Louisa Palmer (1876-1948)
Louisa was born on 21 Jan 1876 at Poole (1939 Reg) and lived with her parents from 1881 to 1891. In Sept 1998 at the age of 22, she married Stephen Bragg, law clerk, at Poole. In 1901 they were living at Prittlewell, Essex where Stephen C Bragg 25 continued to work as a law clerk, Louisa Bragg was 25 and they had one son Stanley C Bragg 1.
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| 1911 Census Stockton on Tees, Durham: Stephen & Louisa Bragg & their two children. |
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| 1939 Register 17 Melrose Ave, Manchester: Steven & Louisa Braggs nee Palmer living with married daughter Edith |
Louisa died Stockport, Cheshire in 1960 aged 84. Stephen Bragg died on 26 Nov 1962 in Cheshire. Probate was granted to his son Gerald Stephen Bragg with effects valued at £1822.
108.0 GGGGP James Gillingham Palmer (1810-1880) & Mary Bishop (1809-1883)
The parents of GGGF James John Palmer b1834 were GGGGP James Gillingham Palmer (1810-1880) and GGGM Mary Bishop (1809-1883).
GGGGF James Gillingham Palmer was probably born in 1810 in Woodsford, but was baptised the following year on 17 Feb 1811 by his parents John and Elizabeth Palmer.
At some stage James b1810 must have moved to 9 miles to the Weymouth area because that is where he was in residence at the time of his marriage to GGGGM Mary Bishop in 1833.
GGGGM Mary Bishop was baptised on 21 May 1809 at Whitcombe, Dorchester by her parents; GGGGGP John Bishop (1778-1849) and Jane Hardy (1779-1855). She had at least two sisters Martha Bishop b1807 and Sarah Bishop b1817. Mary spent her early life in Whitcombe but around 1818 the family moved 4 miles to Charminster on the outskirts of Dorchester. At the time of her marriage, she was living in the Wyke Regis area near Weymouth. She must have moved there in her twenties (the marriage registration described her as being 'of the Wyke Regis Parish') and she probably met her future husband at that time.
GGGGP James and Mary Palmer nee Bishop were married 1 Oct 1833 at Wyke Regis (where she lived) and their occupations were given as iron moulder and midwife. James signed his name but Mary made her mark. Robert Palmer (James' brother who was born in Woodsford in 1813) along with Ann Flood were witnesses at the wedding. Five years later Robert Palmer married Ann Flood in the same church.
GGGGP James and Mary Palmer nee Bishop lived at Melcombe Regis for a few years where their first two sons GGGF James Palmer b1834 (see 106.1) and John Palmer (b1836) were born. By 1838 they had moved to Cuckolds Row (now known as Holloway Rd), Dorchester where their third son Robert was born. Sadly young Robert died the following year aged 1. To help put this terrible event behind them they named their next son Robert when he was born in 1840.
In 1841 they still resided at Cuckolds Row, Mill St, Fordington and the family consisted of James Palmer 31 iron moulder (b1810 Dorset), Mary Palmer 31 (b1810), GGGF James John Palmer 7, John Palmer 5 and Robert Palmer 1. They were living next door to Christopher Bishop and his family (possibly Mary’s brother). Their next four children were Joseph Palmer b1842, Eliza Palmer b1846, George Palmer b1848 and Sidmouth Palmer b1850. Poor Eliza must have felt outnumbered by her six brothers.
By 1851 they had moved to 56 High St Fordington (Dorchester). The move may have been prompted by the squalid conditions that developed in Cuckold's Row in the late 1840's as Dorchester rapidly changed during the industrial revolution (See 108.1). The household was made up of James Palmer 41 (b1810) iron moulder, Mary Palmer 41, James John Palmer 17 iron moulder (b1834), John Palmer 15, Robert Palmer 11, Joseph Palmer 9, Eliza Palmer 7, George Palmer 3 and Sidmouth Palmer 1month. Sadly a few months later, on the 13 Sep 1851 baby Sidmouth aged 1 died, and was buried at Fordington. An indication that the family was reasonably well off was the fact that they had moved out of the squalid conditions in Cuckold's Row and also all their children were being schooled.
At some stage James b1810 must have moved to 9 miles to the Weymouth area because that is where he was in residence at the time of his marriage to GGGGM Mary Bishop in 1833.
GGGGM Mary Bishop was baptised on 21 May 1809 at Whitcombe, Dorchester by her parents; GGGGGP John Bishop (1778-1849) and Jane Hardy (1779-1855). She had at least two sisters Martha Bishop b1807 and Sarah Bishop b1817. Mary spent her early life in Whitcombe but around 1818 the family moved 4 miles to Charminster on the outskirts of Dorchester. At the time of her marriage, she was living in the Wyke Regis area near Weymouth. She must have moved there in her twenties (the marriage registration described her as being 'of the Wyke Regis Parish') and she probably met her future husband at that time.
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| GGGGF James Gillingham Palmer of Weymouth married GGGGM Mary Bishop on 1 Oct 1833 at Wyke Regis |
GGGGP James and Mary Palmer nee Bishop lived at Melcombe Regis for a few years where their first two sons GGGF James Palmer b1834 (see 106.1) and John Palmer (b1836) were born. By 1838 they had moved to Cuckolds Row (now known as Holloway Rd), Dorchester where their third son Robert was born. Sadly young Robert died the following year aged 1. To help put this terrible event behind them they named their next son Robert when he was born in 1840.
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| 1841 Cuckolds Row Fordington: James & Mary Palmer nee Bishop with sons James, John & the 2nd Robert Palmer |
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| 1851 census High St Fordington: James & Mary Palmer nee Bishop & 7 children |
1851 was also the first year when members of our family had access to a hospital. Young GGGF James John Palmer moulder aged 17 was admitted to hospital in April 1851 through outpatients. As his work in the foundry could be dangerous, the reason for the visit to hospital may have been to do with his occupation. Then in Nov 1851, Mary Palmer “foundryman’s wife”, 42 was admitted to hospital. No reason is given but it was just two months after the death of baby Sidmouth so was probably related to the grief from that event. At the end of the following year in 1852, Mary Palmer gave birth to her final child, who they named Sidmouth after his deceased brother. Hopefully his birth helped the couple overcome their grief at losing their previous son.
By 1861 they had moved to Mill St, Fordington and the family was somewhat smaller. There were James Palmer 51 (b1810), Mary Palmer 51, Eliza Palmer 17 servant, George Palmer 13 errand boy and Sidmouth Palmer 8 scholar.
In 1871 the family listed at 35 Mill St. included James Palmer 61 iron moulder and Mary Palmer 61 midwife (with quite a bit of experience, as this was the occupation she gave when she married 40 years earlier). They had two boarders in the house who were Cornelius Tucker 57 gardener and James Taken 15 errand boy.
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| 1861 Census Mill St Fordington: James & Mary Palmer nee Bishop and 3 children |
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| 1871 census Mill St Fordington: James & Mary Palmer nee Bishop and a boarder and a friend |
GGGGF James Palmer b1810 died in early 1880 and was buried at Fordington on 13 Jan 1880.
In 1881 GGGGM Mary Palmer 70 nurse, still had lodger Cornelius Tucker living with her (to provide some extra income and perhaps some company). Their house was next to a baker shop in Mill St. GGGGM Mary Palmer nee Bishop died in hospital two years later and was buried on 22 June 1883 at Fordington.
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| 1881 Census Mill St Fordington. Mary Palmer nee Bishop and lodger Cornelius Tucker |
108.1 Cuckold's Row, (now Holloway Rd.) Fordington, Dorchester.
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| The respectable main St in Fordington, Dorchester |
The area was hit by epidemics of cholera in the summer of 1848-9 and in 1854. This disaster prompted Reverend Henry Moule, Vicar of Fordington to work out a possible solution and to agitate for change.
'One particularly persistent clerical advocate of better conditions in the rural districts was the Reverend Henry Moule, Vicar of Fordington, a suburb of Dorchester. Moule was the inventor of the dry earth system of sewage disposal (composting toilets). His family were friends of the young Thomas Hardy (who also described the squalid conditions of Fordington in his writing). Moule graphically described the open sewers, filth, overcrowding and poverty of his parish; and related these problems very closely to the moral condition of the labouring inhabitants. The close proximity of the population made moral contamination inevitable: `in streets, into which, with the exception of the few who go there on errands of mercy, or the many with purposes of vice, scarcely any one above the labourer or mechanic ever enters, children, from their earliest infancy, are in consequence familiarised with sin'.
Henry Moule was the minister who baptised many of the children of James Palmer and Mary Bishop.
108.2 Notes about Mill St, Fordington (Now Mixens Lane)
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| The back streets of Fordington like Mill St, were far less attractive living quarters |
GGGGF James Palmer b1810 and his family lived in Mill St, Fordington on the 1840's. The following extract from http://henryhuskinson.weebly.com/hellard.html, provides some background information about life in the area at that time.
Edward Hellard was born in Fordington, Dorchester in 1842 to parents John Hellard and Jane Fudge. He was the 4th of 9 children, and in his early life was raised in Mill Street, Fordington. Thomas Hardy's narrator gives a detailed description of the very poor housing situation in Mixen Lane (Mill St, Fordington).
"Mixen Lane was the Adullam of all the surrounding villages. It was the hiding place of those in distress, in debt and in trouble of every kind. Farm labourers and other peasants combined a little poaching with their farming, and a little brawling and bibbing with their poaching found themselves soon enough on Mixen Lane [Mill St]. Rural Mechanics to idle to mechanize, servants too rebellious to serve, drifted or were forced into Mixen Lane."
"Much that was sad, much that was low, some things that were baneful could be seen in Mixen Lane. Vice ran freely in and out of certain doors in the neighbourhood; reckless dwelt under the roof with the crooked chimney; shame in some bow windows; theft (in times of privation), in the thatched and mud walled houses by the sallows. Even slaughter had not been altogether unknown here. In a block of cottages up an alley, there might have been erected an alter to disease in years gone by."
Source - The Novels of Thomas Hardy as a Product of Nineteenth-century Social Economic and Cultural Change. By Birgit Plietzsch
By 1861, Edward Hellard had moved with his family to Holloway, Fordington, and had found work as a cloth cutter. He went on to marry Mary Ann Miles in Dorchester in 1867, and he and Mary set up home on the notorious Mill Lane, in Fordington. Edward took employment in the local Iron Foundry, and had children Elizabeth born 1869, and Willie born 1871.
109.0 Eight Children of GGGGP James Gillingham Palmer (1810-1880) & Mary Bishop (1809-1883)
All children of GGGP James Gillingham Palmer and Mary Bishop were born in Fordington, Dorchester except the first two sons; GGGF James and John who were born in Weymouth.
NOTE: For an unknown reason male members of this Palmer family regularly changed their forenames. James, Robert and John were common given names, and not only was the order of these names swapped around by individuals but they sometimes replaced their names with the names of their brothers.
NOTE: For an unknown reason male members of this Palmer family regularly changed their forenames. James, Robert and John were common given names, and not only was the order of these names swapped around by individuals but they sometimes replaced their names with the names of their brothers.
109.1 GGGF James John Palmer (1834-1912)
James was born on 2 Mar 1834 at Weymouth and married GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924) in 1860 at Fawley. They had eight children. (see 106.0 and 107.0)
109.2 John Robert Palmer (1836-c1896)
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| John Robert Palmer was baptised at Melcombe Regis on 28 Jan by parents GGGP James & Mary Palmer bee Bishop |
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| Robert & Mary Palmer baptised their first daughter Eliza Mary Palmer on 4 Aug 1867 in Upper Tooting, Wandsworth |
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| George Robert Palmer was baptised by Robert & Mary Palmer on 8 Aug 1868 at St Mary's, Summertown, Wandsworth |
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| Eliza Emily Palmer was baptised by John Robert and Mary Palmer on 13 Aug 1871 at St Mary's, Summertown, Wandsworth |
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| 1871 Census: 6 Bowman Cottages, Garratt Lane, Wandsworth. Mary Palmer & two children
In 1871 The family were living in Wandsworth but for an unknown reason John Robert Palmer was absent.
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| Clara Palmer was baptised on 1 Jan 1873 at Camden to parents John Robert & Mary Palmer. |
The following information is courtesy of the GGgrandaughter of John Robert Palmer, Judith Lyons.
John lived in London for a while then migrated to NZ in 1873 with his wife and 3 children (at the time). His brother Joseph also migrated to NZ in 1873 arriving about one month before John Robert Palmer.
John and his family boarded the ship 'Edward P Bouverie' and set sail on 11 July 1873. They arrived in Wellington on 18th October 1873. The family was listed as John R. Palmer 36 smith from Dorset, his wife Mary 36 and children George Robert 4, Eliza 2 and Clara 5 months. Two more children were born in New Zealand; Joseph William Palmer 1875-1952 and William Palmer 1878-1942. John Palmer is recorded as working as a ‘whitesmith’ (metal craftsman) in several Wellington trade directories in the 1870’s.
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| Sailing Sip Edward P Bouverie off the coast at Duneden, NZ. |
On 3 Nov 1876 the Wanganui Chronical reported that a 'John Palmer' presented a functioning hydraulic ram at the local cattle show. He was described as 'the machinist, Market Square' and the following day the newspaper reported that he had sold a considerable number of the machines. Later newspaper reports describe John Robert as a 'plumber'. In 1875 Robert Palmer, whitesmith was listed as living Ridgeway St Wanganui. In 1878 he was again listed as a whitesmith in the NZ directory. The 1886 NZ Directory listed R. Palmer plumber, living in Market Square, Wanganui. The electoral roll lists Mary Palmer as a resident in Market Square in 1896.
On 12 May 1890 John Robert Palmer's eldest son George Robert Palmer, married Annie Serjeant "at the residence of the bridegroom's parents". In 1894 Eliza Emily Palmer "eldest daughter of John Robert Palmer of Wanganui" married Ross Moosman.
According to an article in the Wanganui Herald on 5 Sep 1896 John R Palmer had some skill as a ventriloquist. The article reviews a concert in which John performed.
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| (George) Robert Palmer 28 died from typhoid fever as reported in Wanganui Herald on 26 Feb 1898 |
Mary Palmer died in Wanganui and was buried there on 14 Aug 1929 aged 92
109.3 Robert Palmer (1838-1839)
Robert was born on 28 Jan 1838 at Cuckolds Row Fordington and died the following year on 22 Apr 1939 at Anstey St, Fordingham aged 1 (Fordington church burials)
109.4 Robert Palmer (1839-?)
Robert Palmer was born in Oct 1839 and baptised at St George’s Church, Fordington on 29 Dec 1839. He was the second child named Robert after his brother died as an infant. He lived with his parents James ( an iron moulder) and Mary Palmer from 1841-1851 at Fordington.
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| Robert Palmer married Mary Ann Hallett on 21 Mar 1859 |
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| 1861 census 39 Cuckolds Row, Fordington. Robert & Mary Ann Palmer and their son Robert |
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| 1871 census Spring Gardens, Spittlegate: Robert & Mary Ann Palmer nee Hallett & son James (Robert) |
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| 1881 Census Braintree: Robert & Mary Ann Palmer nee Hallett & son James Robert Palmer |
NOTE: Son James Robert Palmer was the third generation iron moulder in the family. He married Alice Sadler at Braintree in 1882 and had one son named John Palmer, but tragically died two years later in 1884, with the death registered at Nottingham.
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| 1891 census Charles St Lambeth, London. Robert Palmer widower with grandson & housekeeper |
The date of Robert Palmer's death is unknown but as he did not appear in the 1901 census he probably died in the late 1890's.
109.5 Joseph Palmer (1842-1900)
Joseph was born in July 1842 at Dorchester (EBI). In 1851 he was living at Fordington with his parents.
On 10 Oct 1864 Joseph 22 gasfitter married Elizabeth Sampson 24 year old servant at St George Church, Fordington. The fathers listed were James Palmer moulder and Robert Samson butcher. The witnesses were Elizabeth's siblings Gerrard and Jane Samson. Everyone signed their names except for Elizabeth who made her 'mark'. Joseph gave his address as Mill St, which where his parents lived at the time.
Joseph's younger brother George must have really been impressed with Elizabeth's 16 year old sister Jane, because five years later George and Jane were married in another example of two brothers marrying two sisters. (See 109.7 below)
At the next census in 1871 Joseph and Elizabeth Palmer nee Samson were living at 7 Mill St Fordington with their children Louisa J Palmer 3 and Charlotte E Palmer 1, just a few doors away from Joseph’s parents, GGGGP James Palmer (1810-1880) & Mary Bishop (1809-1883). (See 108.0).
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| Joseph Palmer 22 married Elizabeth Samson 24 on 10 Oct 1864 at Fordington |
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| 1871 Mill St, Fordington: Joseph & Elizabeth Palmer nee Samson & 2 children |
In 1873 Joseph Palmer immigrated to NZ with his family as 'assisted immigrants', arriving about one month before his brother John Robert Palmer. He sailed on the ship 'Douglas' leaving London on 14 Jun 1873 and arriving in Wellington on 20 Sep 1873. On board the ship were Joseph Palmer 32 occupation smith, Elizabeth Palmer 33 and daughters Jane L Palmer 5, Charlotte E Palmer 3, Elizabeth Palmer 2 and Alice Palmer 3 months.
The following is a newspaper report about the arrival of the 'Douglas' published in the Southland Times September 26th 1873.
Douglas, ship, 1428 tons, Wilson, from London. She brings 6 cabin passengers and 388 immigrants, and a large quantity of railway plant and rolling stock, including locomotives. She has been 107 days out, and had small-pox on board, 6 deaths having occurred during the voyage. The vessel has been placed in quarantine.
Joseph and his family settled in Market Square Wanganui where he started a business as a plumber running many ads in the local papers
During the last half of the 1870's Joseph got into financial trouble and appeared in court several times and was declared bankrupt on at least one occasion. He later changed careers and became a chemist..
According to the NZDI Joseph Palmer died after falling off a breakwater on 21 Dec 1900 at New Plymouth, New Zealand aged 56. An inquest into his accidental death provides some details about his latter years including the fact that after the death of his first wife, Joseph had remarried in 1894, had another child was working as a chemist in Devon St, New Plymouth. The son mentioned in the artoicle was Joseph Samson Palmer born 1870.
Joseph and his family settled in Market Square Wanganui where he started a business as a plumber running many ads in the local papers
During the last half of the 1870's Joseph got into financial trouble and appeared in court several times and was declared bankrupt on at least one occasion. He later changed careers and became a chemist..
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| Taranaki Daily News 22 Dec 1900. |
109.6 Eliza Palmer (1844-?)
Eliza was born in 1844 at Fordington. During 1851-1861 she was living with her parents at Fordington. No more is known.
109.7 George Palmer (1847-1922)
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| George Palmer was baptised in 1 Feb 1848 at Fordington by James & Mary Palmer nee Bishop |
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| 1871 census Preston, Dorset: Newly weds George & Jane Palmer nee Samson |
In 1873 George joined the navy and served on various ships over the next twenty years, mainly as a steward. His record tells us that he was 5ft 4 with brown hair, blue eyes and had a scar on his chest.
In 1881 whilst George was away in the Navy, George's wife Jane was working as a shopkeeper in Portland and living with her two daughters Rhoda Samson Palmer 10 (b1871 Portland) and Mary Frances Palmer 8 (bap 12 Oct 1873). Interestingly, at this census Jane mistakenly gave her surname as Samson, before it was changed back to Palmer. Jane and her family were living next to Henry 58 and Mary Smith 52.
Two tragedies befell the family in the 1880's. Jane gave birth to the couple's first son George Robert James Palmer in 1883, but sadly he died at the age of 5 months. Then a few years later eldest daughter Rhoda Palmer 16 died at home in Fortunes Well, Portland and was buried on 31 May 1888. At this time wife Jane would have been grieving, and her husband was away in the Royal Navy for much of the time, so life would have been very difficult for her. Two years later an acquaintance (and possibly close friend), Ellen Smith, also had tragedy in her life when her husband unexpectedly died at the age of 50 in 1890. She was widowed with three young children; the youngest only a few months old. Ellen Smith moved to Preston with her children, and it is likely that Jane Palmer moved there around that time too with her surviving teenage daughter, Mary.
In 1891, George Palmer aged 48 (really 44), was living at Alverstoke, working in a Navy Hospital as a ‘sick berth attendant’. Jane was probably (there is no census record for Jane in 1891) living in Preston at that time, because George was living in Preston with her when he retired two years later in 1893. In 1894, Ellen Smith, wife of deceased Royal Navy armouror Thomas Smith, died, leaving her three children as orphans George and Jane Palmer who were probably friends of the Smith family adopted their young daughter, Caroline Smith,
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| 1881 census Fortunes Well, Portland Jane Palmer & 2 daughters next to Smith family on next page |
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| George Robert James Palmer was baptised by George & Jane Palmer on 30 Sep 1883 at Portland |
Two tragedies befell the family in the 1880's. Jane gave birth to the couple's first son George Robert James Palmer in 1883, but sadly he died at the age of 5 months. Then a few years later eldest daughter Rhoda Palmer 16 died at home in Fortunes Well, Portland and was buried on 31 May 1888. At this time wife Jane would have been grieving, and her husband was away in the Royal Navy for much of the time, so life would have been very difficult for her. Two years later an acquaintance (and possibly close friend), Ellen Smith, also had tragedy in her life when her husband unexpectedly died at the age of 50 in 1890. She was widowed with three young children; the youngest only a few months old. Ellen Smith moved to Preston with her children, and it is likely that Jane Palmer moved there around that time too with her surviving teenage daughter, Mary.
In 1891, George Palmer aged 48 (really 44), was living at Alverstoke, working in a Navy Hospital as a ‘sick berth attendant’. Jane was probably (there is no census record for Jane in 1891) living in Preston at that time, because George was living in Preston with her when he retired two years later in 1893. In 1894, Ellen Smith, wife of deceased Royal Navy armouror Thomas Smith, died, leaving her three children as orphans George and Jane Palmer who were probably friends of the Smith family adopted their young daughter, Caroline Smith,
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| Mary Frances Palmer married Frederick Hay at Preston on 9 Apr 1896 |
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| 1901 census Preston: George & Jane Palmer nee Samson with 3 children & Jane's older brother Gerard |
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| 1911 census Preston: George & Jane Palmer & adopted daughter Caroline Smith 21 |
George Palmer probably died in Weymouth in 1922 aged 74. Jane Palmer nee Samson aged 84 possibly died in Poole in 1833.
109.7a Caroline Ellen Smith (1889-1981)
Caroline Ellen Smith was born in Portland, Weymouth, Dorset 1889. By 1901 at the age of 11 she had been adopted by George and Jane Palmer nee Samson,and was still living with them in 1911. After much research I have pieced together the story of her life.
Caroline's father, Thomas Smith, was born 1839 at Gosport and in 1841 was living with his parents William and Elizabeth Smith in Selborne St, Gosport. In 1851 he was living with his grandparents in Portsea. By the age of 21 he had joined the Royal Navy and in 1861 was serving off the coast of Syria. In 1881 he was on a navy ship in Bermuda. His place of birth in various censuses is given as Lichfield, Selborne (Street) or Gosport, which are all located in the same part of Portsmouth. Thomas married Ellen Unknown before 1881 (probably after she turned 21), because in that census, although listed separately, both Ellen and Thomas were listed as married.
In 1881 Caroline's mother Ellen Smith was living with her mother-in-law Elizabeth Smith, whilst her husband Thomas Smith 42 (b1839 Gosport) was serving on the ship "District Warrior" in the Royal Navy. The 1881 census also tells us that Ellen Smith was born in 1859 at North Mundham, Sussex. Ellen gave birth to two children in the 1880's; Charlie Thomas Smith 11 Jan 1883 (1939 Reg) and Caroline Ellen Smith in 1889.
Caroline Ellen Smith had been born in Portland on 7 Apr 1889 and baptised on 30 Jun 1889.
Caroline and her younger brother Henry's baptism records tell us that their father was Thomas Smith (1839-1889), armourer in the Royal Navy.
It appears Thomas Smith died in mid 1890 at Southampton aged 50 (EDI) leaving his wife Emma with three young children; the youngest (Henry) was an infant born 27 Jun 1890 (EBI) around the time of his father's death. As Thomas Smith was not listed as deceased on his son's baptism certificate he probably died after 27 Jul.1890.
After her husband's death Ellen moved to Preston and was living there in 1891 along with her three children. Strangely she did not list herself as a widow; perhaps still not believing what had happened to her husband. Although she was probably on a widow's naval pension, she was probably having trouble coping.
Caroline's mother, Ellen Smith, aged only 35, died at Weymouth Union and was buried in Preston on 11 Jun 1894. George Palmer and Caroline's father Thomas Smith were both in the Royal Navy and their families lived close to each other in Fortunes Wells, Portland. The wives were about the same age and both families may have known each other well. Caroline Smith's family were living in Preston in 1891 and George and Jane Palmer moved there before 1893, so both families were in close proximity for many years. The orphaned Caroline Ellen Smith was adopted by George and Jane Palmer, probably soon after her mother's death.
In 1901 Caroline Smith 11 was recorded as the adopted daughter of George and Jane Palmer in the census at Preston. Her brothers were not quite so lucky. Young Henry George Smith 12 was living in Weymouth Union Workhouse (where his mother had died 7 years earlier), but older brother Charles Thomas Smith joined the Royal Navy and served as a 'sick berth steward' (like Caroline's adoptive father). A few years later Henry George Smith joined the Merchant Navy. In 1911 they were living together at 75 Essex Rd, Southsea. In 1939 Charles was working as a surgery assistant and lived in Portsmouth with his wife Charlotte. Charles died in Portsmouth in 1955.
Caroline's father, Thomas Smith, was born 1839 at Gosport and in 1841 was living with his parents William and Elizabeth Smith in Selborne St, Gosport. In 1851 he was living with his grandparents in Portsea. By the age of 21 he had joined the Royal Navy and in 1861 was serving off the coast of Syria. In 1881 he was on a navy ship in Bermuda. His place of birth in various censuses is given as Lichfield, Selborne (Street) or Gosport, which are all located in the same part of Portsmouth. Thomas married Ellen Unknown before 1881 (probably after she turned 21), because in that census, although listed separately, both Ellen and Thomas were listed as married.
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| 1881 Alverstoke, Hampshire: Ellen Smith 22 (wife of armouror) living with mother-in-law Elizabeth Smith 67 |
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| Caroline Ellen Smith was baptised 30 Jun 1889 in St John's, Portland by parents Thomas Andrew & Ellen Smith |
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| Henry George Smith was baptised at Fortune's Well on 21 Jul y his parents Thomas & Ellen Smith |
It appears Thomas Smith died in mid 1890 at Southampton aged 50 (EDI) leaving his wife Emma with three young children; the youngest (Henry) was an infant born 27 Jun 1890 (EBI) around the time of his father's death. As Thomas Smith was not listed as deceased on his son's baptism certificate he probably died after 27 Jul.1890.
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| 1891 Preston: Caroline Smith 2 living with her mother Ellen Smith b1859 & 2 brothers at Landsdowne Villa, Preston |
Caroline's mother, Ellen Smith, aged only 35, died at Weymouth Union and was buried in Preston on 11 Jun 1894. George Palmer and Caroline's father Thomas Smith were both in the Royal Navy and their families lived close to each other in Fortunes Wells, Portland. The wives were about the same age and both families may have known each other well. Caroline Smith's family were living in Preston in 1891 and George and Jane Palmer moved there before 1893, so both families were in close proximity for many years. The orphaned Caroline Ellen Smith was adopted by George and Jane Palmer, probably soon after her mother's death.
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| 1901 Census Preston: George & Jane Palmer with their adopted daughter |
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| Caroline Ellen Smith married Harold Edward Nix on 18 Feb 1914 |
In 1939 Harold and Caroline Nix nee Smith were living with her widowed sister (by adoption) Mary J. Hay nee Palmer at 219 Preston Rd, Weymouth.
Caroline Ellen Nix died in early 1981 at Weymouth aged 91.
109.8 Sidmouth Palmer (1850-1851)
Sidmouth Palmer was born in 1850 and baptised on 30 Jun 1850 at Fordington. At census time in 1851 the family was living at 56 High St Fordington (Dorchester). The move to this address may have been prompted by the squalid conditions that developed in Cuckold's Row in the late 1840's (See 108.1).The household was made up of James Palmer 41 (b1810) iron moulder, Mary Palmer 41, James John Palmer 17 iron moulder (b1834), John Palmer 15, Robert Palmer 11, Joseph Palmer 9, Eliza Palmer 7, George Palmer 3 and Sidmouth Palmer 1mth.
Sadly Sidmouth died before the age of one and was buried at Fordington on 13 Sep 1851. In Nov 1851, Mary Palmer “foundryman’s wife”, 42 was admitted to hospital. No reason is given but it was just two months after the death of baby Sidmouth, so it was most likely related to the grief she was experiencing.
109.9 Sidmouth Palmer (1852-1929)
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| Sidmouth Palmer 26 widower? married Elizabeth Sarah Perrior nee Borough 33 year old widow at Poole on 19 May 1878 |
Sidmouth's wife Elizabeth Sarah Perrior already had three young children (from one of her previous marriages) named Elizabeth Mary Perrior 6 (b1872), Annie Ada Perrior (b1873) and Frederick George Perrior 3 (b1875). (See below) Prior to the next census more children arrived; this time fathered by Sidmouth. Their first born was Sidmouth Palmer (junior); born in 1879 (EBI) at Poole. Then James Robert Palmer was born in Oct 1880.
In 1881 the family was living at Kinson Bottom, Bournemouth. Sidney Palmer 29 listed himself as bandman (the only musical member of our family that I have found) and was living with his wife Elizabeth Palmer nee Perrior nee Burrough 35. Strangely Sidmouth nominated his place of birth as Southampton. The blended family consisted of children Elizabeth Perrior 8, Frederick Perrior 6, Sidmouth Perrior (wrong surname) 2 and James Perrior (wrong surname) 2 months.
All children were listed with the surname Perrier, but this must have been an error on the part of the enumerator (perhaps in a rush to write all the names down), because Sidmouth and James had been registered as 'Palmers' at birth.
Sadly younger son James Robert Palmer died in Apr 1882 at the age of one. Over the next few years three more babies arrived. George James Palmer was born in 1883 (EBI). Florence Agnes Lily Palmer was born in 1886 (baptised 23 May 1886 Heatherlands, Kinson), but died the following year as an infant. Then in 1888, Elizabeth's final baby, Edith Beatrice Maud Palmer (baptised 13 May, 1888 at Heatherlands) was born. Sidmouth was listed as a gardener and his family abode was listed as Heatherlands on the latter two baptisms.
Interestingly baby Edith was baptised at the same time as Sidmouth's nephew James Palmer's daughter Elizabeth Rose Palmer. Nephew James Palmer's family lived close by in Heatherlands.
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| 1881 Census Bournemouth: Sidney (b1852 Southampton?) & Elizabeth Palmer nee Perrior with 4 children |
All children were listed with the surname Perrier, but this must have been an error on the part of the enumerator (perhaps in a rush to write all the names down), because Sidmouth and James had been registered as 'Palmers' at birth.
Sadly younger son James Robert Palmer died in Apr 1882 at the age of one. Over the next few years three more babies arrived. George James Palmer was born in 1883 (EBI). Florence Agnes Lily Palmer was born in 1886 (baptised 23 May 1886 Heatherlands, Kinson), but died the following year as an infant. Then in 1888, Elizabeth's final baby, Edith Beatrice Maud Palmer (baptised 13 May, 1888 at Heatherlands) was born. Sidmouth was listed as a gardener and his family abode was listed as Heatherlands on the latter two baptisms.
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| Edith Palmer was baptised by Sidmouth & Elizabeth S Palmer nee Perrior on the same day as brother James' daughter |
Sidmouth's wife Elizabeth Palmer had experienced many tragic events during her life. She had lost her first husband and then two children (James and Florence) died as infants. She became ill herself not long after delivering baby Edith, and in 1890 died in Poole, aged only 45. Husband Sidmouth was left to care for six children from his blended family; the youngest being two years old. (See Below)
Within a few months (early 1891 before the census) Sidmouth had married Henrietta Frederica Blume at Poole (EMI). Frederica had been born in Hanover, Germany in 1844 (EDI), but was a British subject and had previously been married. She went by her middle name Frederica.
By 1891 the family had moved to Glencoe Rd, Kinson and was listed as Sidney Palmer 38 (bDorchester) gardener, Friederica Palmer 42 and Sidney Palmer 12, George Palmer 8 and Edith Palmer 3. The older children by Sidmouth's first wife (surname Perrier) had moved in with her relatives. Whether this was because the house was too crowded or because of conflict in the family is unknown. Elizabeth Perrior 18 and Frederick Perrior 16 had moved in with their grandparents, who lived close by in Granville Rd, Kinsen (Bournemouth). Annie Ada Perrior was living with her aunt; Eliza A Castleman nee Burough. See more detail below.
The Palmer family still lived in Glencoe Rd in 1901 but the suburb was called Branksome. The family consisted of Sidmouth Palmer 48 painter, Frederica Palmer 51, James Palmer 17 plumber and Edith Beatrice M. Palmer 12. From 1902 to 1904 son George James Palmer (in his twenties) was renting one room in his father's house 'Glaisdale Cottage' in Glencoe Rd for 5 shillings per week. German born Frederica notes that she was born in Frankfurt, but is a British Subject (in the right hand column)
Son George b1883 married Elizabeth Frampton 37 in South Stoneham in 1907. At the age of 29 he was a ship's painter and in 1911 was living at South Stoneham with wife Elizabeth 30 and their only child (who they named after George's father) Sidmouth Palmer 1.
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| 1891 Kinson: Sidney & Frederika Palmer nee Blume & 3 children |
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| 1901 census Kinson: Sidney & Frederika Palmer and 2 children |
Son George b1883 married Elizabeth Frampton 37 in South Stoneham in 1907. At the age of 29 he was a ship's painter and in 1911 was living at South Stoneham with wife Elizabeth 30 and their only child (who they named after George's father) Sidmouth Palmer 1.
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| 1911 census Upper Parkstone: Sidmouth & Frederika Palmer nee Blume |
Sidmouth Palmer died in 1929 Poole aged 75 (really 77). (EDI) Henrietta Frederica Palmer died in 1934 at Poole with a reputed age of 90. That would make her birth year 1844 and means that throughout her life she consistently understated her age.
109.9a Elizabeth Sarah Palmer nee Perrior nee Burough (1845-1890) & the Burough family.
(Updated May 2019)
Elizabeth Sarah Burough was the wife of Sidney Palmer and married him after the death of her first husband. Elizabeth was born on 15 Apr 1845 to George and Rebecca Burough in Parkstone and was baptised on 7 July 1845 (surname spelt Burrows). The 1851 census listed the family living in Christchurch Rd next to Branksome Lodge as George Burrough 32 ag lab, Rebecca Burrough 32, Elizabeth S Burrough 6 (b1845), Eliza A Burrough 5 (b1846) and Mary I Burrough 3. By 1861 Elizabeth Burough 15 had moved out of home and was working as an unmarried servant in Longfleet Rd for the Willis family.
NOTE: This family had two daughters with very similar names. Eliza and Elizabeth were born just one year apart which means they can be easily confused.
On 5 Dec 1868 sister Eliza Burough 22 spinster, resident of Parkstone, married James Castleman 24 widowed gardener at St Peter's Church Parkstone. The fathers were listed as George Borough gardener and John Castleman. Witnesses were father George Burough and sister Elizabeth Sarah Burough.
Less than a year later on 25 Oct 1869 at the same church in which her sister was married, Elizabeth Sarah Burough 24 spinster married William John Perrier 24, bachelor seaman. Both were residents of Parkstone. Fathers were listed as John Perrior shoemaker and George Burough labourer. The witness this time was younger sister Mary Jane Burough.
As William John Perrier was a seaman he spent time away from home on various voyages. At the time of the 1871 census he must have been on one such trip because Elizabeth Perrior nee Burough was living at home with her parents in Old Christchurch Rd. Belmont. The family was listed as George Burough 51 gardener, Rebecca Burough 52 laundress (b1819 Woodland), Elizabeth Perrior nee Burough 25 b1846 married daughter, Mary Burrough 22 daughter, Fanny Wilcox 15 niece and servant (b1856 Woodland) and Jane Loader 8 niece and scholar (b1863 Woodland).
William John Perrior must have been on home visits regularly during the 1870's because Elizabeth Perrior nee Burough gave birth to Elizabeth Mary Perrior in 1872, Annie Ada Perrior in 1873 and Frederick George Perrior in 1875. All three children were baptised in St James Church in Poole. Tragedy struck in the mid to late 1870's because Elizabeth's husband William John Perrior and her mother died. I cannot find a record of death or burial for William, but being a mariner, this could easily have happened overseas. Elizabeth's mother Rebecca Burough (spelt Bourough) died in 1877 aged 58 (EDI).
The following year on 19 May 1878 Elizabeth Sarah Perrior nee Burough 33 year old widow, married Sidmouth Palmer 26, widowed?? labourer at St Pauls Church, Poole. The fathers were listed as James Palmer, moulder and George Burough, gardener. Witnesses were John and Jane Burden.
NOTE: This family had two daughters with very similar names. Eliza and Elizabeth were born just one year apart which means they can be easily confused.
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| Eliza Borough 22 b1846 married James Castleman 24 in Parkstone on 5 Dec 1868. Sister Elizabeth was a witness. |
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| Elizabeth Sarah Borough married William John Perrior 24 on 25 Oct 1869 |
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| 1871 Old Christchurch Rd, Belmont: Elizabeth S Perrier 25 was living with her parents. |
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| Elizabeth Mary Perrior was born to William John & Elizabeth Sarah Perrior on 9 May 1872 at Poole |
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| Sidmouth Palmer 26 widower? married Elizabeth Sarah Perrior nee Borough 33 year old widow at Poole on 19 May 1878 |
Over the next few years Elizabeth gave birth to five more children; Sidney Palmer 1879, James Palmer 1881, George Palmer 1883, Florence Palmer 1886 and Edith Palmer 1889. (See above) Sadly James Robert Palmer and Florence Ada Lily Palmer both died as infants.
In 1881 Sidmouth and Elizabeth Palmer nee Burough were living at Kinson Bottom, Bournemouth with their blended family consisting of children. Elizabeth Perrior 8, Frederick Perrior 6, Sidmouth Palmer 2 and James Palmer 2 months. Daughter seven year old Annie Ada Perrier was staying with her aunt Eliza Castleman nee Burough and her family at this time. Two years after the birth of her youngest child Edith, Elizabeth Sarah Palmer died at the age of 45 and was buried at Poole in 1890. (See above for more details of Sidmouth and Elizabeth Palmer's family.) Sidmouth remarried in 1891 and the three 'Perrior' children moved to the homes of their grandparents and aunts. Although we do not know why this happened, it may have been because Sidmouth's new wife was finding it hard to cope.
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| 1881 Census Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire: Annie Ada Perrior living with aunt Eliza Castleman nee Burough |
In 1881 deceased Elizabeth Palmer nee Perrior nee Borough's father and sister were living in Belmont Lodge, Ashley Rd, Parkstone. George Borough 61 gardener widower was living with his younger daughter Mary Jane Borough 32 laundress and niece Mary Jane Loader 18. After their mother's death in 1890 two of the 'Perrior' children went to live with George Burough and his family.
The 1891 census listed the family living in Granville Rd., Kinson as George Burough 71 lab, Elizabeth's unmarried sister Mary Burough 42 laundress, Mary J Loader 28 ass. laundress, Elizabeth Perrior 18 ass school mistress (grand-daughter) and Frederick Perrior 16 bricklayer (grandson).
In 1891 young Annie Ada Perrior was still living with her aunt Eliza. The census of that year listed James Castleman 46, Eliza A Castleman nee Burough 44 and Annie A Perrior 17 niece and assistant launderer living at Heatherlands, Kinson.
Elizabeth Perrior married a baker named William Morley Wilcox. In 1901 the Burough family were still living in Granville Rd (Branksome) running their laundry business, but George Burough had died (1893, Poole). Head of the house was Mary J Burough 52 laundress, employer working on her own account, Elizabeth M Wilcox nee Perrior 28 niece, Mary J Loader 38 cousin laundry maid, Lily K White 16 servant, Elizabeth Hann 23 laundry maid and William T P Wilcox 2, grand nephew (Elizabeth's son).
Annie Ada Perrior was still living with her aunt's family in 1901 but they had moved to Church Rd, Branksome. Living there were James Castleman 56 gardener, Eliza Castleman nee Burough 54 laundress, niece Annie A Perrior 27 laundress and Alice M Frampton 26 laundress. They were probably all working in the laundry business together.
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| 1891 Granville Rd, Kinson: George & Mary Burough with 2 'Perrior" grandchildren |
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| 1891 Census Kinson, Poole: Ada was still living with her aunt but they had moved to Kinson |
Elizabeth Perrior married a baker named William Morley Wilcox. In 1901 the Burough family were still living in Granville Rd (Branksome) running their laundry business, but George Burough had died (1893, Poole). Head of the house was Mary J Burough 52 laundress, employer working on her own account, Elizabeth M Wilcox nee Perrior 28 niece, Mary J Loader 38 cousin laundry maid, Lily K White 16 servant, Elizabeth Hann 23 laundry maid and William T P Wilcox 2, grand nephew (Elizabeth's son).
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| 1901 New Rd, Branksome: Annie is still with her aunt working as a laundress |
Annie Ada Perrior married John William Tuffin in 1902 and died in Poole in 1960.
Elizabeth Perrior married William Morley Wilcox in 1897 and had six children. Elizabeth's date of death is unknown, but her husband died in 1957 with probate granted to son William Thomas Perrior Wilcox.
What became of Frederick George Perrior b1875 is unknown.
Elizabeth Perrior married William Morley Wilcox in 1897 and had six children. Elizabeth's date of death is unknown, but her husband died in 1957 with probate granted to son William Thomas Perrior Wilcox.
What became of Frederick George Perrior b1875 is unknown.
NOTE 1: Mary Jane Loader who was born at Woodlands (near Wimborne) in 1863 lived most of her life (at least from the age of 8 in 1871 to the age of 38 in 1901) with members of the Burough family and worked for them in their laundry business. She was variously described as a niece of George Burough or a cousin to his daughter Mary Burough. She was possibly related to our Loaders but as yet I have not found the connection. Although no definitive record has been found after 1901, there was a Mary Loader 49 (b.1862, Horton) single laundress living with the Toop family at Parkstone in 1911. She was described as a cousin of the heads of the family; Ashley 47 and Maud Toop 44 (b.1867 Longfleet).
NOTE 2: These chapters about Sidmouth Palmer and Elizabeth Sarah Burough involved overcoming many challenges. Most of these relate to the various spellings of the protagonist's names in documents. Variations included Burough/Borrough/Bourrough/Barrow, Sidmouth/Sidney, Perrior/Perrier and Friedrika/Fredrica as well as some thoroughly incorrect spellings thrown into the mix. At first, the fact that Sidmouth was named after a deceased brother was not obvious and these records had to be separated. There were also several documents with significant errors (see above) and some missing documents. It is a very good example of some of the challenges in making sense of the details of a family history.
NOTE 2: These chapters about Sidmouth Palmer and Elizabeth Sarah Burough involved overcoming many challenges. Most of these relate to the various spellings of the protagonist's names in documents. Variations included Burough/Borrough/Bourrough/Barrow, Sidmouth/Sidney, Perrior/Perrier and Friedrika/Fredrica as well as some thoroughly incorrect spellings thrown into the mix. At first, the fact that Sidmouth was named after a deceased brother was not obvious and these records had to be separated. There were also several documents with significant errors (see above) and some missing documents. It is a very good example of some of the challenges in making sense of the details of a family history.
110.0 GGGGGP John Palmer (1752-1844) & Elizabeth Gillingham (1772-1846) (New May 2019)
James' father GGGGGF John Palmer was born in 1752 (given age on death registration), but no baptism registration has been found. John was married in Woodsford, but on his marriage registration he was described as being from East Stoke. These two locations are 8 miles apart and as he claimed to have been born at Woodsford in 1841 he was very likely born in this area. The only baptism record that seems to fit is for John Palmer baptised May 1752 at Charlton Marshall by parents Robert and Ann Palmer. Charlton Marshall is about 12 miles from Woodsford and about the same from East Stoke. He may have been baptised there but the family may have moved to East Stoke when he was a child.
The first wife of GGGGGP John Palmer 33 (b1752) bachelor 'of the parish of East Stoke' was Elizabeth Palmer spinster 'of this parish' . They were married in the Woodsford Church on 27 Dec 1786. East Stoke is about 8 miles from Woodsford. This record suggests that the earliest Palmers in our family came from the East Stoke area, however there are no baptism records to support this contention.
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| John Palmer, bachelor, of East Stoke & Elizabeth Palmer spinster of this parish were married on 27 Dec 1786 at Woodsford |
Woodsford baptism records list eight children born to a couple named John and Elizabeth Palmer. They were John Palmer 1788, Elizabeth Palmer (Feb) 1790, Mary Palmer (Dec) 1791, Ann Palmer 1795, Richard Palmer 1797, GGGGF James Gillingham Palmer (Feb) 1811, Robert Palmer 1813 and Martha Gillingham Palmer 1816. These birth dates over almost thirty years strongly suggest that two different women named Elizabeth bore these children (especially with the 14 year gap between Richard and James). The most likely explanation is that John Palmer's first wife died and he remarried another Elizabeth after the death of his first wife named Elizabeth.
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| Elizabeth Palmer was buried in Woodsford on 24 Dec 1803 |
GGGGGF John Palmer was in his fifties when he took a second wife. J.Lyons has kindly forward details of this marriage which were as follows: John Palmer of Woodsford married Elizabeth Gillingham on 8 Feb 1808 at Whitcombe (4 miles from Woodsford). Witnesses were Robert Chiles and George Burt. Later two of their children, were christened with Elizabeth's maiden name. Elizabeth was in her thirties at the time of marriage which explains why she only gave birth to three known children. The place of birth of the children indicates John and both of his wives (named Elizabeth) lived in Woodsford after their marriages. GGGGGF John Palmer's occupation was listed as carpenter at one baptism and labourer at the others.
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| 1841 Census Woodsford: GGGGGP John & Betty Palmer nee Gillingham |
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| Betty (Elizabeth) Gillingham was baptised at Piddletrenthide by parents Robert & Martha Gillingham on 1 Nov 1772 |
GGGGGF John Palmer was buried on 7 Mar 1844 aged 92. GGGGGM Elizabeth Palmer nee Gillingham died two years later and was buried on the 11 Mar 1846 aged 73. Both were buried in Woodsford . Elizabeth Palmer nee Gillingham's age at death confirms she was born in 1772.
110.1 Eight Children of GGGGGF John Palmer (1753-1844) including 3 by GGGGGGM Elizabeth Gillingham (1772-1846)
The baptism records of Woodsford list eight children born to a couple named John and Elizabeth Palmer. The first five children were John b1788, Elizabeth b1790, Mary b1791, Ann b1795, and Richard b1797. These children were probably born to GGGGGF John Palmer and his first wife also named Elizabeth. Our Elizabeth (Gillngham) would have been very young to have the first of these babies. Then there is a fourteen year gap (more evidence of John having two consecutive wives with the same names) between the last three children who were GGGGF James Gillingham Palmer baptised 17 Feb 1811, Robert Palmer b28 Nov 1813 and Martha Gillingham Palmer b7 Apr 1816. Two of these were also given the second Elizabeth's maiden name as their middle names.
Taking all the above into account it seems likely that GGGGGP John Palmer and Elizabeth Gillingham had at least three children. (The latter three in the above paragraph).
110.1a GGGGF James Gillingham Palmer (1810-1880)
GGGGP James Gillingham Palmer b1810 married GGGM Mary Bishop in 1833. For information about the life of GGGGP James Gillingham Palmer b1810 see 108.0.
110.1b Robert Palmer (1813-1888)
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| Robert Palmer was baptised on 28 Nov 1813 by parents GGGGGP John & Elizabeth Palmer nee Gillingham |
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| Robert Palmer married Ann Flood at Wyke Regis on 26 Jul 1838 |
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| 1841 Census Nicholas St, Weymouth: Robert & Ann Palmer |
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| 1851 Census North St Oundle: Robert & Ann Palmer nee Flood |
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| 1851 Census North St Oundle (next to gas works): Robert & Ann Palmer nee Flood |
Ten years later in 1871 the couple had moved to West St, Oundle and Robert was listed as a gas fitter.
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| 1881 census: Lovedays Yard, Oudle: Robert & Mary Ann Palmer nee Blackmore |
Robert Palmer died in 1888 at Oundle aged 75. (EDI) Robert had no known children.
110.1c Martha Gillingham Palmer (1816-1834)
Martha Gillingham Palmer was baptised in Woodsford on 7 April 1816 by parents GGGGGP John & Elizabeth Palmer nee Gillingham. Sadly Martha died and was buried in Woodsford on 28 Sep 1834 at the age of 18.
111.0 Gillingham & Shepherd families (New May 2019)
The Gillingham and Shepherd families seem to have originated from Piddletrenthide; on the river Piddle eight miles north of Dorchester. The name Piddletrenthide dated from the time of the Domesday Book and means 'estate of thirty hides on the River Piddle' the trente coming from the french for thirty. The village is also occasionally referred to as Collier's Piddle. The church of All Saints is situated to the northern end of the village and its tower dates from the 15th century and has wonderfully gruesome gargoyles on its battlements.
111.1 GGGGGGP Robert Gillingham (1745-?) & Martha Shepherd (1753-?)
GGGGGF Betty (Elizabeth) Gillingham was the daughter of GGGGGGP Robert and Martha Gillingham nee Shepherd. She was baptised on 1 Nov 1772 at Piddletrenthide. Her father Robert was born in the same village in 1745.
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| GGGGGGF Robert Gillingham was baptised 5 May 1745 by parents GGGGGGGP George & Elizabeth Gillingham |
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| 1 Nov 1753: GGGGGGM Martha Shepherd; baptised by GGGGGGGP James & Sarah Shepherd at Piddletrenthide |
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| Hard to read: GGGGGGPF Robert Gillingham 28 married Martha Shepherd 15 at Piddletrenthide on 8 Jan 1768 |
GGGGGGF Robert Gillingham 28 married Martha Shepherd 15 at Piddletrenthide on 8 Jan 1768. Robert signed his name, but Martha made her mark. One of the witnesses was Richard Gillingham (possibly an uncle). Martha was quite young when she married, but may have been a year or two older if her baptism date was well after her birth date.
GGGGGGP Robert and Martha Gillingham nee Shepherd had at least four children all born in
Piddletrenthide ; John Cole Gillingham Oct 1768, George Gillingham 1770, Thomas Gillingham 1771 and GGGGGM Betty Gillingham 1772.
The dates of death of GGGGGGP Robert and Martha Gillingham nee Shepherd are unknown but most family members must have moved out of the Piddletrenthide area before 1800 because there are no burials of the family in that parish after 1784.
GGGGGGP Robert and Martha Gillingham nee Shepherd had at least four children all born in
Piddletrenthide ; John Cole Gillingham Oct 1768, George Gillingham 1770, Thomas Gillingham 1771 and GGGGGM Betty Gillingham 1772.
The dates of death of GGGGGGP Robert and Martha Gillingham nee Shepherd are unknown but most family members must have moved out of the Piddletrenthide area before 1800 because there are no burials of the family in that parish after 1784.
111.2 GGGGGGGP George Gillingham (c1708-1780) & Elizabeth Mullet (c1708-1772)
GGGGGGGP George and Elizabeth Gillingham nee Mullet were married on 6 May 1729 at Piddletrenthide.
GGGGGGGP George and Elizabeth Gillingham nee Mullet had at least nine children at at Piddletrenthide between the years 1735 and 1749. The children were Jane Gillingham 1730, Mary Gillingham 1732, George Gillingham 1735-1735, Sarah Gillingham 1736, Mary Gillingham 1740, Betty Gillingham 1742, GGGGGGF Robert Gillingham 1745, John Gillingham Feb 1748 and Ann Gillingham 1749.
GGGGGGGP George and Elizabeth Gillingham nee Mullet were both buried at Piddletrenthide. Many of the deaths around this time have the notation "Woolen", which may indicate their place of abode. The modern village of "Wool" is about 15 miles from Piddletrenthide but this is probably too distant.
GGGGGGGF James Shepherd and Sarah Tewsbury were married at Piddletrenthide on 30 Mar 1752. Sarah had a sister Mary Tewsbury who married Paul Fore in the same church in 1755.
GGGGGGGF James and Sarah Shepherd nee Tewsbury's first child, GGGGGGM Martha Shepherd, was born the year after their marriage in 1753. GGGGGGGGP James and Sarah had at least four other children, James Shepherd 1757, John Shepherd 1761, William Shepherd 1763 (died as infant in 1763), William Shepherd born in 1767 and Charles Shepherd 1770.
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| GGGGGGGF George Gillingham married Elizabeth Mullet on 6 May 1729 at Piddletrenthide |
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| GGGGGGGM Betty (Elizabeth) "wife of George Gillingham" was buried 12 May 1772 at Piddletrenthide |
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| GGGGGGGF George Gillingham was buried on 13 Jul 1780 at Piddletrenthide |
111.3 GGGGGGGP James Shepherd (1733-?) & Sarah Tewsbury (c1735-1799)
GGGGGGGGP James and Sarah Shepherd nee Tewsbury were probably born in the early 1730's. There was a James Shepherd born in Winterbourne Stickland about 10 miles from Piddletrenthide in 1733 who may be our James. He may have moved to Piddletrenthide when he was young. |
| GGGGGGGF James Shepherd married Sarah Tewsbury on 30 Mar 1752 at Piddletrenthide |
GGGGGGGF James and Sarah Shepherd nee Tewsbury's first child, GGGGGGM Martha Shepherd, was born the year after their marriage in 1753. GGGGGGGGP James and Sarah had at least four other children, James Shepherd 1757, John Shepherd 1761, William Shepherd 1763 (died as infant in 1763), William Shepherd born in 1767 and Charles Shepherd 1770.
GGGGGGGM Sarah Shepherd nee Tewsbury probably died on 19 Dec 1779. James Shepherd's date of death is unknown.
112.0 Reserved For future Use
PART 12: THE WHEELER FAMILY TREE
113.0 Ancestors of GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924)
Elizabeth Wheeler was born on 17 April 1836 in Hampshire and lived with her parents up until the time of her marriage in New Forest on 26 May 1860 to GGGF James John Palmer. (See 106.1). It was their daughter GGM Hannah Maria Palmer who joined the Palmer tree to the Northover tree when she married GGF Richard Northover b1856.
Most of our 'Wheelers' were born in Fawley, (south of Southampton) and tended to stay in that area all their lives. They often worked as stablemen and with horses. At times, some of them lived on the Isle of Wight which was just a ferry trip across the body of water known as 'The Solent'. In 1914 a distant relative named Alfred Walter Wheeler was quietly fishing there in a small boat, when the much larger paddle steamer ferry 'Duchess of York' crashed into his boat killing him.
Most of our 'Wheelers' were born in Fawley, (south of Southampton) and tended to stay in that area all their lives. They often worked as stablemen and with horses. At times, some of them lived on the Isle of Wight which was just a ferry trip across the body of water known as 'The Solent'. In 1914 a distant relative named Alfred Walter Wheeler was quietly fishing there in a small boat, when the much larger paddle steamer ferry 'Duchess of York' crashed into his boat killing him.
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| The paddle steamer that ran down Alfred Walter Wheeler in 1914 |
A diagram showing the Wheeler Family Tree is below.
113.1 GGGGP David Wheeler (1804-1866) & Maria Smith (1803-1890)
GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler’s father was GGGGP David Wheeler b1804. He was born on 7 Oct 1804 at Fawley, Hampshire to parents GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
On 12 Mar 1826 GGGGF David Wheeler married Maria Smith at Fawley.
Maria had been born about 5 miles from Fawley in 1803 at Dibden (from census), which is near Southampton. No baptism record has been found.
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| 1841 Holbry, Hampshire: GGGGP David & Maria Wheeler nee Smith & 8 children |
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| 1851 Newtown, Fawley: David & Maria Wheeler nee Smith & 6 children |
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| 1861 Newtown, Fawley: David & Maria Wheeler nee Smith & 3 children & grand-daughter Louisa Wheeler |
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| GGGGF David Wheeler died at Cadland Lodge |
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| 1871 Green Dragon Inn, Isle of Wight: GGGGM Maria Wheeler living with son Thomas & his family |
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| 1881 Fawley: GGGGM Maria Wheeler nee Smith living with daughter Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler & her family |
113.2 The Green Dragon Inn
The Green Dragon Inn was a venue often used by the "Society of Friends" or Quakers during the 1800's. The following information was sourced from the publication 'The First 350 Years in Newport and the Isle of Wight: A History of Local Quakerism from 1657' by Patrick A. Nott.
"The Green Dragon was regularly used towards the end of the 1800s for many of [The Society of Friend's] outreach meetings. The hotel front was situated in Pyle Street and the buildings ran back alongside what is now a very much wider Town Lane with its stable block on the site of the present Prince of Wales giving it an opening onto South Street. When used by Friends it was considered a very desirable venue at the centre of Newport life. A Hampshire Telegraph advertisement printed on 1st July 1844 gave a good description of the premises:
'Comprising on the basement, bar, with parlour attached, large coffee room, two sitting rooms, spirit shop, booking office, kitchen, pantry, larder, and cellar; on the first floor a spacious Assembly Room, large sitting room, six bed rooms, and water closet; on the second floor five bed rooms. Stabling for twenty-five horses, coach house and tap detached, with extensive outlet.'
By 1913 the Green Dragon was vacant ... and was finally demolished in May 1924 to make room for a new roadway... The site is now occupied by a Pizza Express restaurant."
114.0 Nine Children of GGGGP David Wheeler (1804-1866) & Maria Smith (1803-1890)
Of Maria's nine children only four are known to have outlived her. Of the five that died early, one seems to have died as a child, whilst thew rest died in their fifties
14.1 John Wheeler (1826-1876)
John was born in 1826 at Fawley. In 1841 he was living with his parents at Fawley. The family consisted of David Wheeler 35, servant, Maria Wheeler nee Smith 35 (ages rounded down), and their eight children John Wheeler 15, William Wheeler 12, Hanna Wheeler 10, James Wheeler 9 and Thomas Wheeler 7, GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler 5 b1836, Maria Wheeler 3, and Ellen Wheeler 1.
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| 1851 Census New way, Petersfield: John Wheeler was lodging with the Triggs family |
On the 17 Sep 1852 he married Louisa Berryman at Petersfield and gave his occupation as policeman. Louisa gave birth to Louisa Wheeler in 1853 but died shortly after bearing her second child John Wheeler in Oct 1855. Both children's births were registered in Petersfield. It must have been a traumatic time for John b1826 as baby John also died, and he had a two year old toddler to look after too.
In 1859 the now widowed John 33 married the much younger Sarah Sanger Martin 19 at Portsea, Hampshire. Sarah had given birth to a son the year before, named William Martin, but after the marriage he became William Wheeler. This suggests that John Wheeler may have been the father of the child. John's child by his first wife (Louisa b1853) was living with her grandparents in 1861 and her aunt (John's sister Maria) in 1871.
In 1861 John 35 and Sarah 21 were living at 61 Stone St, Portsea and John was working as a "turnkey in the Borough Gaol". Living with them was Sarah's (and possibly John's) son aged 3.
By 1871 John 45 and Sarah 31 were living at 12 Gold St., Portsea and John was now working as a prison officer. Sarah's son William had taken John's surname as his own and was working as a dairy boy. John Wheeler died on Portsea Island in Jul 1876 at the age of 50. (EDI)
NOTE: John’s child Louisa Palmer b1853 (from his first marriage) was living with other family members in 1861 (grandparents David and Maria Wheeler) and 1871 (her aunt Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler (see 112.7) which may indicate she did not get on with her father or stepmother after he remarried.
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| 1861: 61 Stone St, Portsea: John & Sarah Wheeler nee Martin & William Martin |
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| 1871: 12 Gold St, Portsea: John & Sarah Wheeler nee Martin & William Wheeler (formerly Martin) |
NOTE: John’s child Louisa Palmer b1853 (from his first marriage) was living with other family members in 1861 (grandparents David and Maria Wheeler) and 1871 (her aunt Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler (see 112.7) which may indicate she did not get on with her father or stepmother after he remarried.
114.2 William Wheeler (1829-1906)
William was born in 1829 and was living with his parents in Fawley in 1841.
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| 1851 St Dennis, South Stoneham: William Wheeler 21 born Horley (Fawley) lodging with the O'Brien family |
Around 1851 William Wheeler b1829 married Jane Early b1829 and they had four children Henry Wheeler b1852, George C Wheeler b1855, Emma Wheeler 1857 and Catherine Wheeler b1861. Records for the marriage and baptisms have not been found, probably because Jane belonged to a nonconformist church, and their records are not as readily available as those of the Church Of England.
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| 1861 Popes Buildings, St Marys, Southampton: William & Jane Wheeler & 3 children |
In 1871 Jane 42 dressmaker, was alone with two of her children Henry 19 carpenter and Catherine 10. At this time William 54 joiner, was living in a lodging house at 52 North St, Alverstoke, Hampshire. Perhaps William was away for work reasons.
William Wheeler was back with the family in 1881 but they had moved to South Stoneham, Southampton and the family now consisted of William Wheeler 53, Jane Wheeler nee Early 52, George Wheeler 26 mason, Emma Blake 24 dressmaker (widowed daughter) and granddaughter Elsie Blake 5.
On 21 Dec 1878 William's son Henry Wheeler carpenter 27 married Harriet Wagstaff 22 at Lambeth. William Wheeler was listed as Henry's father also having the occupation of carpenter.
In 1891 William 62 carpenter and Jane Wheeler 62 were living in a two roomed house in Northumberland Rd, Southampton next to Jane Wheeler nee Early’s younger brother William Early b1843 and his family.
In 1901 (both aged 72) they were living at 26 Blackberry St, Portswood and William was still listed as a carpenter. William Wheeler died in April 1906 and was buried at South Stoneham. In 1911 Jane Wheeler nee Early 83 was living in the Richmond Workhouse as a patient. Jane Wheeler nee Early died at the age of 88 in 1918 in Southampton.
NOTE Jane Wheeler nee Early was baptised and presumably raised in the traditions of the non-conformist independent church at Romsey, Hampshire. She was one of many of our ancestors who chose to remain outside the Church of England which was the dominant religion at that time.
Son, George Wheeler b1855 became a stone mason and married a woman called Emily Underwood from Southhampton in the early 1870's. At first they settled in Wimborne, then later moved to other southern counties. Emily gave birth to thirteen children with some of her sons becoming stonemasons like their father.
NOTE: Another William Wheeler was baptised in Fawley on 4 Aug 1830 by parents Thomas (b1800 Gosport) and Elizabeth Wheeler nee Wyatt (b1802 Fawley) [married in Fawley 1823]. In 1851 William 20, was a miller's assistant living with his parents; Thomas 51 master miller and baker and Elizabeth Wheeler 49 in Brockenhurst.
William Wheeler b1830 married Harriet Harris (b1825 Hursley) in Southampton on 19 Dec 1852. This William became a coachman. In 1861 William Wheeler 32 coachman and Harriet nee Wyatt 40 were living in Southampton. In 1871 William Wheeler 42 coachman and Harriet nee Wyatt 49 laundress were living in South Stoneham. In 1881 William Wheeler 55 ostler at an Inn and Harriet nee Wyatt 56 were living at the Royal Hotel Yard, Southampton. In 1891 William Wheeler 62 ostler and Harriet nee Wyatt 67 were living with son Edward Wheeler 30 (b1861 Southampton) and his family in Leyton St, Southampton.
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| 1881 South Stoneham, Southampton: William & Jane Wheeler nee Early living with 2 of their children & a grand-daughter |
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| Henry Wheeler 27 (b1852) married Harriet Wagstaff 21 Dec 1878 at Christchurch, North Brixton, Lambeth |
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| 1891 Census Northumberland Rd, Southampton: William & Jane Wheeler nee Early living next to Jane's brother |
In 1901 (both aged 72) they were living at 26 Blackberry St, Portswood and William was still listed as a carpenter. William Wheeler died in April 1906 and was buried at South Stoneham. In 1911 Jane Wheeler nee Early 83 was living in the Richmond Workhouse as a patient. Jane Wheeler nee Early died at the age of 88 in 1918 in Southampton.
NOTE Jane Wheeler nee Early was baptised and presumably raised in the traditions of the non-conformist independent church at Romsey, Hampshire. She was one of many of our ancestors who chose to remain outside the Church of England which was the dominant religion at that time.
Son, George Wheeler b1855 became a stone mason and married a woman called Emily Underwood from Southhampton in the early 1870's. At first they settled in Wimborne, then later moved to other southern counties. Emily gave birth to thirteen children with some of her sons becoming stonemasons like their father.
NOTE: Another William Wheeler was baptised in Fawley on 4 Aug 1830 by parents Thomas (b1800 Gosport) and Elizabeth Wheeler nee Wyatt (b1802 Fawley) [married in Fawley 1823]. In 1851 William 20, was a miller's assistant living with his parents; Thomas 51 master miller and baker and Elizabeth Wheeler 49 in Brockenhurst.
William Wheeler b1830 married Harriet Harris (b1825 Hursley) in Southampton on 19 Dec 1852. This William became a coachman. In 1861 William Wheeler 32 coachman and Harriet nee Wyatt 40 were living in Southampton. In 1871 William Wheeler 42 coachman and Harriet nee Wyatt 49 laundress were living in South Stoneham. In 1881 William Wheeler 55 ostler at an Inn and Harriet nee Wyatt 56 were living at the Royal Hotel Yard, Southampton. In 1891 William Wheeler 62 ostler and Harriet nee Wyatt 67 were living with son Edward Wheeler 30 (b1861 Southampton) and his family in Leyton St, Southampton.
114.3 Hannah Wheeler (1831-1847)
Hannah was baptised on 23 May, 1831. She was aged 10 and living with her parents at the time of the 1841 census but sadly died in 1847 aged 16 and was buried at Fawley on the 11 Aug 1847.
114.4 James Wheeler (1833-1911)
James was baptised on 2 Sep 1832 and lived with his parents from 1841-1851 at Fawley.
On 4 May 1854 James married local girl Rebecca Baker.
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| 1861 Hardley, Fawley: James & Rebecca Wheeler & 2 children living with Rebecca's parents |
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| 1881 Fawley: James & Rebecca Wheeler with daughter Sylvia and 2 boarders & a visitor (Hooper brothers) |
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| 1891 Dibden: James & Rebecca Wheeler with married daughter Silvia Hooper, her husband & 6 grandchildren |
James Wheeler died in 1906 aged 73 at New Forest whilst Rebecca Wheeler nee Baker was still alive at the 1911 census and lived with her daughter Silvia Hooper nee Wheeler and her family. Rebecca Wheeler nee Baker died in 1919 in Hampshire.
114.5 Thomas Wheeler (1835-1882)
Thomas was baptised 14 Sep 1834 at Fawley and lived with his parents from 1841-1851 at Fawley.
On 14 Nov 1859 Thomas married Emily Elcock, but sadly she and her baby son died a year later in 1860. Thomas must have been devastated, and he was back living with his parents in 1861 at 27 years of age, and like his father he was working as a gardener.
In 1863 he tried his luck in marriage a second time when he married Charlotte Huggins at St Thomas of Canterbury, Newport, Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Observer reported the marriage on 27 June 1863 "On the 24th June 1863, at the Roman Catholic Chapel, Pyle-street, Newport, Mr. Thomas Wheeler, gardener, of Bohemia, Isle of Wight, to Mrs. Charlotte Huggins, of Newhouse farm, Beaulieu, Hants."
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| 1871 Green Dragon Inn, Isle of Wight: Thomas & Charlotte Wheeler nee Huggins with Thomas' mother Maria Wheeler |
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| 1881 Sandguard Rd, Brading, Isle of Wight: Thomas & Mary Ann Wheeler & four children |
Thomas was very unlucky in love. He lost two wives soon after he married them (possibly in childbirth). When he married his third wife, who was much younger, Thomas must have been overjoyed when she gave birth to four children. Sadly Thomas Wheeler had very little time to enjoy with his children as he died in 1882 when the oldest was only 7 years old.
114.6 GGGM Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924)
Elizabeth was born on 17 Apr 1836 in Hampshire. From 1841-1851 she lived with her parents at Fawley. On 26 May 1860 GGGM Elizabeth spinster married James John Palmer iron moulder at Fawley. Both signed the registration indicating they were literate. A witness at the wedding was Robert Shepherd who became a brother-in-law when he married Elizabeth’s sister Maria three years later. GGGP Elizabeth and James Palmer nee Wheeler had eight children. Read more about their life in 107.0.
114.7 Maria Wheeler (1837-1892)
Maria was born in Dec 1837 at Fawley. Maria lived with her parents from 1841-1861.
On 29 Jun 1863 Maria 26 married Robert Shepherd postman at Fawley. The wedding was witnessed by Maria’s siblings Henry Wheeler and Ellen Wheeler.
In 1871 Robert Shepherd 32 letter carrier (it was the very early days of postal services) and Maria Shepherd 32, had two children Hannah M Shepherd 7 and David W Shepherd 3. Also living with them was unmarried niece Louisa Wheeler 18 who was the daughter of older brother John from his first marriage. As Louisa was living with other family members during 1861 and 1871 there is a strong possibility that she did not get on with her father or perhaps her stepmother.
In 1881 Robert Shepherd 42 was working as a post messenger in Fawley and lived with wife Maria Shephard nee Wheeler 42, son David Shephard 13, and widowed mother-in-law GGGGM Maria Wheeler nee Smith 78 b1803. Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler b1837 died in Jan 1892 with the death registered at Romsey aged 54. Robert Shepherd's date of death is unknown.
Son David W. Shepherd b1868 became a postman like his father. In 1891 aged 23 he was boarding with his sister Hannah M Bunday nee Wheeler (b1864) and her husband in Fawley and his occupation was described as "letter carrier". On 2 May 1893 aged 26 he married Emma Jane Tyrrel at Brixworth, Northamptonshire.
On 29 Jun 1863 Maria 26 married Robert Shepherd postman at Fawley. The wedding was witnessed by Maria’s siblings Henry Wheeler and Ellen Wheeler.
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| 1871 Hughs Common Fawley: Robert & Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler & 2 children and niece Louisa Wheeler |
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| 1881 Fawley: Robert & Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler, son David & Maria's mother GGGGM Maria Wheeler nee Smith |
Son David W. Shepherd b1868 became a postman like his father. In 1891 aged 23 he was boarding with his sister Hannah M Bunday nee Wheeler (b1864) and her husband in Fawley and his occupation was described as "letter carrier". On 2 May 1893 aged 26 he married Emma Jane Tyrrel at Brixworth, Northamptonshire.
114.8 Ellen Wheeler (1840-1880)
Ellen was baptised on 23 Aug 1840 and lived with her parents from 1841-1851, but had moved to Ewhurst to work as a servant by 1861. This was a huge move of over 70 miles from Hawley.
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| 1861 Ewhurst, Surrey: Ellen Wheeler worked as a cook at the age of 20 |
Whilst living in this area she met and married William Dawes 26 carrier on 27 Aug 1863. Witnesses at the wedding were Henry Wheeler (brother) and Maria Shepherd nee Wheeler (sister). This was a busy year for weddings in the Wheeler family. Her siblings; Thomas in an unknown month, Maria in June and Ellen in Aug; all married in 1863 and often witnessed each other’s ceremony.
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| 1871 Ewhurst Village: William & Ellen Dawes nee Wheeler & 4 children living next to William's brother and his family |
Ellen Dawes nee Wheeler died 6 Aug 1880 at Ewhurst, Surrey aged 40. William Dawes was buried at Ewhurst on 1 Jan 1892 aged 57.
114.9 Henry Wheeler (1843-1924)
Henry Wheeler was baptised on 10 Sep 1843 at Fawley. Henry lived with his parents from 1841-1851. In 1861 Henry was working as a gardener (probably working with his father and brother).
On 14 Aug 1870 Henry married Jane Sarah Mary Wyatt 28. The following year they moved to “New House” Fawley where they were lodging with Charles Annetts.
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| 1871 Fawley: Henry & Jane Wheeler nee Wyatt and stepson were lodging with Charles Annetts |
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| 1881 New House, Fawley. Henry & Jane Wheeler's family had grown to include 4 more children |
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| 1891 Fawley: Henry & Jane Wheeler & four children |
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| 1911 Blackfield Fawley: Henry & Jane Wheeler & two children |
Jane Sarah Mary Wheeler nee Wyatt died in 1914 and Henry Wheeler died in Mar 1924 at New Forest aged 80 (EDI).
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| Sarah Ann Phillips nee Wheeler 1871-1947 (daughter of Henry & Jane Wheeler nee Wyatt) |
115.0 Ancestors of GGGGF David Wheeler (1804-1866)
The parents of GGGGF David Wheeler (1804-1866) were GGGGGP James Wheeler (1766-1852) and Hannah South (?-1833).
115.1 GGGGGP James Wheeler (1766-1852) & Hannah South (1769-1833)
James Wheeler was born to parents GGGGGGP Thomas Wheeler (b1721) and Mary Adams on the 21 Sep 1766 at Fawley. He had six brothers who were William Wheeler b1757, Thomas Wheeler b1761, Edward Wheeler b1764, David Wheeler b1768, Henry Wheeler b1763 and John Wheeler b1766.
GGGGGM Hannah South was baptised in 1769 at Brixton on the Isle of Wight to GGGGGGF Thomas South and an unknown mother.
GGGGGP James Wheeler and Hannah South were married on the 24 Aug 1788 at Fawley. Their ten children were James Wheeler 1788, Mary Wheeler 1792, Henry Wheeler 1795-1871, Thomas Wheeler 1801, GGGGF David Wheeler 1804-1866, Sarah Wheeler 1807, Sylvia Wheeler 1809, Ellen Wheeler 1810, Mathilda Wheeler 1814-1814 and Matilda Ann Wheeler 1817-1905 (Hannah South was in her late forties when she gave birth to her last child).
Daughter Sarah Wheeler was baptised at Fawley on 1 Jun 1807 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Daughter Sylvia Wheeler was born at Fawley on 25 Jul 1809 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Daughter Ellen Wheeler was born at Fawley on 7 Oct 1810 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Daughter Matilda Wheeler was born at Fawley on 16 Mar 1817 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
GGGGGM Hannah Wheeler nee South died in 1833 aged 64 and was buried at Fawley 2 Jul 1833.
In 1834 daughter Ellen Wheeler (b1810) married John South. He was possibly a cousin on her mother's side.
Three years later in 1837 daughter Matilda Wheeler married James South. He was a brother of John South and a cousin on her mother's side. Matilda and James South moved into their father's house.
In 1841 GGGGGF James Wheeler 70 (ages rounded down) widowed ag lab was sharing his Newtown house at Fawley with married daughter Matilda South nee Wheeler 20, her husband James South 20 and their children Elizabeth South 3 and William South 2.
Sadly Matilda's husband James South died in 1845, but two years later she married Job Bound.
Ten years later in 1851, the widowed GGGGGF James Wheeler's house was even more crowded when aged 84 he was at the same address, listed as a pauper, and living with his married daughter Matilda Bound 34 domestic duties, her husband Job Bound 36 ag lab, their children Alfred Bound 2 and Charles Bound 9 months, as well as Matilda's children from her first marriage William South 11 and Mary Ann South 7. The family was living next door to William Wheeler (b1796 Fawley) and his family (probably related).
GGGGGP James Wheeler and Hannah South were married on the 24 Aug 1788 at Fawley. Their ten children were James Wheeler 1788, Mary Wheeler 1792, Henry Wheeler 1795-1871, Thomas Wheeler 1801, GGGGF David Wheeler 1804-1866, Sarah Wheeler 1807, Sylvia Wheeler 1809, Ellen Wheeler 1810, Mathilda Wheeler 1814-1814 and Matilda Ann Wheeler 1817-1905 (Hannah South was in her late forties when she gave birth to her last child).
Daughter Sylvia Wheeler was born at Fawley on 25 Jul 1809 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Daughter Ellen Wheeler was born at Fawley on 7 Oct 1810 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Daughter Matilda Wheeler was born at Fawley on 16 Mar 1817 with parents listed as GGGGGP James and Hannah Wheeler nee South.
Three years later in 1837 daughter Matilda Wheeler married James South. He was a brother of John South and a cousin on her mother's side. Matilda and James South moved into their father's house.
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| 1841 Census Newtown, Fawley: GGGGGF James Wheeler living with daughter Matilda, her husband and their family |
Sadly Matilda's husband James South died in 1845, but two years later she married Job Bound.
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| 1851 Newtown Fawley: GGGGGF James Wheeler living with Matilda Bound & her family & next to a cousin |
GGGGGF James Wheeler died in 1852 at Fawley aged 86 (EDI).
115.2 GGGGGGP Thomas Wheeler (1722-1805) & Mary Adams (c1735-?) (Updated May 2019)
GGGGGGF Thomas Wheeler (b1722) was baptised in Fawley on 16 Dec 1822. GGGGGGM Mary Adams was probably much young (going by the birth dates of her children) and was born around 1735 in the Fawley area.
GGGGGGF Thomas Wheeler 84 died in 1805 and was buried at Fawley on the 20 Jan 1805.
116.0 Reserved for Future use
117.0 WHAT HAVE I LEARNED FROM MY FAMILY TREE
At first glance there does not seem to be anything remarkable about our family tree. Apart from an indirect link to a wealthy (and possibly Royal) line of ancestors through the Gale family, there were no generals, politicians, heroes, explorers, inventors or anyone famous. Of the hundreds of people that make up the extended tree, the majority were very ordinary folk; agricultural labourers, domestic servants, gardeners, child-rearers and homemakers. For hundreds of years they laboured away struggling to put food on the table and to keep a roof over their heads. However it is this labour, the struggle to survive and the resilience which gave them the strength to keep going that in my view makes them real heroes.
They lived in a time without the social and medical advances of today. No antibiotics and other medicine, no hospitals, no sick leave, no immunisation, no contraception, no paid holiday time, no “labour saving” devices, no electricity, no central heating, very limited diet (and food shortages at times), where transport for the most part was walking, primitive water and human waste disposal systems, poor pay and no security of employment in very crowded small dilapidated houses. "In the late 19th century three-quarters of British men over 65, worked and only a minority lived that long to begin with. Most people worked until they died." (Elizabeth Henderson, The Age 9 Jan 2017)
How did they do it? The most obvious answer is that they had no choice- that was the way things were. But they did have a choice; they could have sought escape through alcohol abuse or abandoned their families to search for a better life or even darker, they could have completely given up and let it all go. No they mostly accepted the challenge and made the best go of it that they could. Even when things turned tragic with the loss of children (sometimes several) to infectious disease, the loss of wives in childbirth or the loss of employment, they kept going. And this is what makes them heroes. There were millions of other ordinary folk who survived just like my ancestors did, and together it was they, who worked behind the scenes to allow the generals, politicians and other “important” people to lead their famous lives. Ultimately it was the ordinary people who were the foundation that the whole country was built on.
By and large our families stayed in the same area of their birth for most of their lives. They lived close to other members of their extended families and as the census shows, often stayed in each other’s houses. It was very common for families to take in their sibling’s children if the parents were unwell and usually ageing parents were looked after by their children too. This may have been a win-win situation as the parents may have been a great help in caring for the younger children when families tended to be so large.
It must be said that our family tree contains some people that crossed paths with the law and some ended up in jail. However, none of these ended up with a serious punishment, so even under the harsh criminal code of the time, their misdemeanours were regarded as fairly minor. However, had the same crimes been committed in London, where the prisons were very overcrowded, I am sure many more of our relatives would have been given a free passage to Australia!
Of those that were jailed, many were charged with the crime of smuggling. Others were charged with destroying hedges. These crimes were not antisocial but more a reaction to laws that were seen as unjust. Smuggling occurred because the government placed a tax on some goods, artificially increasing the price. The smugglers sought to find a way to avoid the tax, to get access to cheaper goods and make some badly needed income at the same time. The destruction of hedges may have been a reaction against the fencing off of what was previously land that was accessible to the public.
A few of our relatives were charged with abandoning their families, drunkenness and assault. These in my opinion are more serious crimes and probably had their root in the very difficult lives being led by the protagonists. What is amazing is that there was not more of this behaviour!
There are just a couple of relatives charged with stealing and in the most notorious case, he was forgiven and reemployed by his victim. So all in all, over 200 years the majority of our relatives led very law abiding lives. They were socially responsible, working hard to build their own lives, looking after each other and even members of their extended families that were not related by blood.
In conclusion, I pay homage to all those members of the extended Loader and Northover families who kept going through good times and hard times, because without them my family would not be here today.
ADDENDUM
118.0 Where Did They Live?
Most of our relatives were buried in small graveyards adjacent to their local village church. As many were very poor, often there is no stone marking their graves, but in most cases there are parish records detailing when and where they were buried. The towns and villages listed below are where most of our direct relatives were buried, and the local church would have often been where they were baptised and married and attended for other significant social occasions.
118.1 Summary of where our direct relatives came from.
Our direct relatives mostly lived in the Dorset villages of: Broad Chalke, Bowerchalke, Corscombe, Critchel (More Crichell), Fisherton Anger, Fordington (Dorchester), Horton, Kington Magna, Loders, Long Bredy, Piddletrenthide, Powerstock (Poorstock), Puncknowle , Shipton Gorge, Sixpenny Handley (Handley), Swyre, West Milton, Weymouth, Wimborne Minster, Witchampton and Woodsford. It was only in the 1800’s that our family moved to the Wimborne (Wimborne Minster) area.
Some very early relatives came from Fawley, Fordingbridge, Ibsley, Harbridge and Ringwood in Hampshire and Warminster in Wiltshire. Also a small number of relatives came from hamlets in Gloucestershire such as Maisemore, Hardwicke, Hartpury and Quedgely.
118.2 Surnames in our Family Tree |
| Puncknowle Cemetery where some of our relatives are buried |
The following surnames belong to the ancestors in our direct family tree.
Axford, Bagg, Ballard, Batten, Bailey, Bartlett, Bishop, Butcher, Butler, Chant, Clement, Coomb, Dodimeade, Dove, Ebber, Gale, Gillingham, Goddard, Hardy, Harvey, Hayter, Hobbs, Honibone, Keeping, King, Knight, Lanning, Loader, Lovelace, Lovell, Moore, Moyle, Mullet, Northover, Palmer, Parsons, Read, Ridge, Selwood, Shepherd, Smith, Sutton, Symes, Thornhill, Tidby, Turner, Webb, Wellaviz, West, Wheeler, White, Williams, Yetment.
If you meet someone with one of these surnames; they may be a relative!
NB: Over generations spelling changed for many names leading to variations eg. Honeybone or Honiborn
118.3 Addresses where family members lived
The regular census which occurred every ten years beginning in 1841, also provides information about where our ancestors lived. Usually only the hamlet or street is named, but sometimes an exact address is listed (and often that building is still in existence). The numbers indicate the appropriate chapter where that person is found. Underlined names are direct relatives.
· 7.0 GGGGP Robert (Lanning) Loader (1801-1851) & Ann Smith (1803-1881) @ Manswood Cottages, Moor Critchel 1841-1851. In 1881 after Robert died 1 Norton Cottages, Springfield Rd, Stroud
· 11.0 GGGP James Smith Loader (1823-1863) & Rose Elizabeth Symes (1822-1883) 1861 @ 5 West Row Wimborne (unusually the census provides a street number). After James' death (from 1871 onwards) Elizabeth and family were @ Redcotts Lane until her death in 1883.
· 13.1 GGP Edmund Arthur Loader (b1857-1932) & Ann Marie White (1862-1944) @ 18 Old Rd Wimborne from 1885 to at least 1920's
· 15.0 GP Walter Frederick Loader (1888-1953) & Ethel Maud Northover (1889-1953) Walter lived with his parents as a child @ 18 Old Rd., After married lived @ 8 Julians Rd, Wimborne, 1919 @ 17 Old Rd Wimborne, After war @ 67 Leigh Rd and after 1926 @ 7 Station Rd, home of GGGF Richard Northover (see below).
· 21.0 GGGGP John Symes (1781-1848) & Rose Hayter (1782-1851) John worked as a blacksmith @ Horton Heath/ Horton cum Woodlands, (Wimborne area) in the 1820's-1840's. Buried @ Horton cum Woodlands. Horton Heath Methodist Church, Burts Lane
· 30.1 GGGGGP Thomas Hayter (1758-?) & Elizabeth Moyle (c1758-?) Several generations of our Hayters were born and died in the Harbridge area in Hampshire. The gravestones in the cemetery identify their place of burial.
· 40.0 GGGP James White (1830-1894) & Elizabeth Selwood (1833-1888) lived most of their married lives @ Sixpenny Handley. In 1871 they lived 3 houses from Roebuck Inn in High St.
· 54.0 GGGGP William Selwood (1804-1868) & Caroline Hobbs (1808-1881)
· 55.4 GGGM Elizabeth Selwood (1833-1888) later White. Many of the Selwood family lived and worked @ Woodminton Farm Bowerchalke over many years. They also lived @ 33 Church St. Bowerchalke
· 95.3 James Northover (1813-1874 @ Knackers Hole Lane, Puncknowle see also 79.0 below
· 97.6 Henry Northover (1816-1881) & wife Jemima Northover (1809-1862) 77.4 @ Crown Inn, Puncknowle. Henry and Jemima's family managed the Inn for forty years. It still operates today.
· 79.0 GGGGP Henry Northover (1806-1881) & Ann Symes (1801-1855) @ Knackers Hole Lane, Puncknowle. Many members of the Northover family lived here and apparently leased or owned small plots of land
· 81.0 GGGP Richard Northover (1827-1890) & Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881) In 1881 their address was listed as Burt Close, Charlton Marshall which I cannot find on modern maps. However as they were not far from Thornicombe, their cottage was probably on what is now known as Peak Hill Rd possibly at a location known as "Burt's Farm".
· 83.0 GGP Richard Northover (1856-1932) & Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926) From 1891-1920's @ 7 Station Rd Wimborne
· 100.1 GGGGP David Gale (1791-1861) & Sarah Read (1793-1874) In 1851-1871 they were living at West Milton, probably on the road to Corfe farm and later moved closer to West Milton. After David's death in 1860's Sarah moved in with son Richard Gale and his family @ Lynch Farm Cottage, Larcombe Lane, West Milton. Self-catering accommodation today. 106.1 GGGP James & Elizabeth Palmer nee Wheeler were living at 25 Green Rd. St James, Poole.
· 107.1 GGGP James Palmer (1834-1912) & Elizabeth Wheeler (1836-1924) @ After their marriage in 1860 they resided @ 25 Temperance Lane, Northwood, Hampshire. 1871 lived in cottages at Holly Hedge Lane, Poole. From1901 to 1911 @ 25 Green Rd. St James, Poole
· 108.0 GGGGP James Palmer (1810-1880) & Mary Bishop (1809-1883) In 1841 @ Cuckolds Row (now known as Holloway Rd. Fordington, Dorchester. By 1851 they had moved to 56 High St Fordington & in 1871-1881 @ 35 Mill St, Fordington,
Hello, curious as to whether we are related.
ReplyDeleteMy 3rd great grandparents were Rebecca Wheeler and John J Hawkins.
Please contact me.
Regards, Victoria.
Thanks for your query Victoria. I cannot find any evidence of a connection to my direct family, but if they lived in the same area of England they may be related in some way.
ReplyDelete