PART 4: WHITE FAMILY TREE
Currently being Updated in Sep 2020.
The White Family joined our family tree when GGM Annie Marie White
(1862-1944) married Edmund Loader in 1882. Her parents were GGGP James White b1830 and Elizabeth Selwood b1833. Over
many generations members of the White family were born, married and died in
Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. In the 1841 census there were 445 people listed as
residents of Handley and nearby hamlets. Of these 52 (around 12%) had the
surname White, so they made up a significant proportion of the population.
 |
| Our ancestors below came from two areas about 25 mles apart: Warminster, Corsley, Frome & Norton Bavant and Broad Chalke, Bowerchalke & Sixpenny Handley. |
Below is a diagram showing Descendants and Ancestors of the White Family Tree.
 |
 |
| Sixpenny Handley Baptisms 1830 |
GGGF James White was born on 30 May 1830 and baptised on 29 Aug 1830 at Sixpenny Handley Dorset. In 1841 James
b1830 was living in Handley St. with his parents; GGGGP
James White 40 and Ann White
nee West 40 (b 1801). The children were listed as GGGF James White 10 (b1830), Enoch White 8, Harriet White 3
and Eliza White 4 mths. Sadly young Eliza died later that year at the age of 9
months. As an adult, James' occupation was usually described in documents as bricklayer or mason.
In 1851 James' and his parents still resided at Handley. Living in the house were parents GGGGF James White 50 (b1801)
agricultural labourer and his wife GGGGM
Ann White nee West 47 (b1804) and their children GGGF James White 20 (b1830) mason, Enoch White 18, Harriett
White 12 and Louisa White 7. Around this time the unmarried GGGM Elizabeth Selwood moved 4 miles from her home town of
Bowerchalke to the Sixpenny Handley area, where she had gained employment as a
servant with the Humby family who lived at Minchington Farm (See Selwood section).
40.1 GGGP James White (1830-1894) married Elizabeth Selwood
(1833-1888)
In the early 1850’s GGGF James White 25 and GGGM Elizabeth Selwood 22 met and moved four miles to Bowerchalke, where they were married on 3 Jul 1856. The marriage was witnessed by Mary Ann Selwood (Elizabeth’s sister). James signed his name, but both Elizabeth and her sister Mary Ann made their mark. James' occupation was described as a bricklayer, but his father was a labourer.
James and Elizabeth's first daughter, Mansel White, was born in Bowerchalke in 1857 (according to the 1861 census) but baptised in Sixpenny Handley. By 1858 they were residents of Sixpenny Handley and children Henry Enoch White b1858 and Ellen White b1860 were all born there. Tragically son Henry Enoch died at the age of 1 in 1859.
 |
| 1861 Census: James & Elizabeth White nee Sellwood & family living next to Joseph & Maria White at Sixpenny Handley |
In 1861, the family was living at Sixpenny Handley and
consisted of GGGF James White 30
(b1830) occupation mason, GGGM
Elizabeth White nee Selwood 27 (b 1833) and children Mansel J White 4 and Ellen L
White 1. As was often the case at this time, extended families often lived in
close proximity. They were living next to Joseph White (b1829 Handley) and
his family. Joseph White was James' father's cousin; son of John White b1788). All members of both families were born in Sixpenny Handley, except for daughter Mansel who was born in Bowerchalke, Wiltshire.
The 1860’s were hard times for GGGP James and Elizabeth. In 1864 two children; Henry White aged 1
(in Feb) and Ellen White at the age of 4 (in Sept) died. Elizabeth had now lost 3 children at very young ages. Then on 23
Nov 1867, GGGF James’ father GGGGF James White b1799 passed
away in Handley at the age of 68. He was buried in Handley on 29 Nov 1867. The
following year Elizabeth’s father
GGGGF William Selwood b1804
(see 54.0), died after a battle with cancer of the face, on 26 Jun 1868 at
Bowerchalke aged 67. At least the decade finished well, with the birth of their
son William J White in 1869.
 |
| 1871 Census: Three White families living in adjacent houses in High St, Handley |
In 1871, the White family was living at 22 High
St. near the Roebuck Inn. (This Inn is still operating today- see note below). The family consisted of GGGF James White 39 (b1830), GGGM Elizabeth White 38, Mansel
White 14, Anne M White 9 (b1862), Ellen K White 4 (the second child named Ellen) and William J White 2. Joseph White 41 (b1828) and his
family lived on one side and GGGGM
Ann White nee West 67 seamstress, (widowed mother of GGGF James) and sister
Harriet b1838, also a seamstress, were living on the other side.
 |
| The Roebuck Inn, 22 High St., Handley in modern times |
Two more children were born in Handley in the 1870’s; Walter in 1872 and Ernest (written as Enos) in 1874. The latter when GGGM Elizabeth was in her early forties. GGGF James was listed as a bricklayer at both these baptisms. In 1876
Elizabeth’s mother GGGGM Ann White
nee West died (see 42.0).
 |
| 1881 Census: White families occupied houses in High Street near Roebuck Inn (children were on next page) |
The extended White family was still living in Handley
Village in 1881 and included GGGF
James White 49 (b1830) mason, GGGM
Elizabeth White 47, Ellen White 14 general servant, William White 12,
Walter White 8 and Ernest A. White 6. They were still living near Joseph White (b1828) and his family and next to cousin Elizabeth Dimmer nee White (daughter of John White b1788) and her family. Also living in High St were daughter Mansel Wyatt nee White. William West lived nearby and was possibly a relative of GGGGM Ann White nee West b1802.
 |
| GGGM Elizabeth White nee Selwood (wife of GGGF James White, bricklayer) died on 23 Jul 1888 at Sixpenny Handley |
On 23 July 1888, GGGM Elizabeth White nee Selwood died at the age of 52, from cancer of the womb. She was buried in Handley on 27 Jul 1888. GGGF James,
now a widower, was living in Handley in 1889, but by 1891 may have been finding
life difficult, as he had moved to Wimborne to live with daughter GGM Annie Loader nee White in a
fairly crowded house. (See 13.1) Living there at the time were GGF Edmund Loader 34, GGM
Annie Loader nee White 29, Edmund Loader 8, William George Loader 4,
Charles Loader 6, Frederick Loader 4, GF
Walter Loader 3, Bertram Loader 9 months and GGGF James White 59 (really 60) widower.
 |
| Burials Wimborne 1894 |
 |
| Sixpenny Handley after the fire |
NOTE from Dorset Life webpage about The Roebuck Inn (near the homes of several White families) . 'One of the buildings to survive [the 1892 Great Fire of Handley] was the Roebuck Inn. It has since been rebuilt, but the landlord at the time, a Mr Dutch, is rumoured to have displayed quick thinking by offering free beer to all who helped him with his efforts to rescue his public house. Despite the extra manpower this undoubtedly lent Mr Dutch, it is likely that the Roebuck’s own supply of water and tiled – as opposed to thatched – roof ultimately saved the building from destruction.'
40.2 Great Fire of Sixpenny Handley, 1892
In 1892 Sixpenny Handley suffered a major fire, which
resulted in most of it having to be rebuilt, after nearly two hundred people
were left homeless. Fortunately by this time, most of our closer relatives were
living in nearby hamlets and towns. However, it is highly likely that three of GGGP James and Elizabeth White nee Selwood’s
children were not only living there at the time, but probably had their house
burn down. The April 1891 census listed Mansel Wyatt nee White 32, her
husband John Wyatt 48, children Ellen Wyatt 7 and William Wyatt 4 as well as
Mansel’s two youngest brothers Walter White 20 and Ernest ‘Archie’ White 14
all living in Handley. The fact that they were all living elsewhere in 1901
suggests their home was destroyed in the fire.
 |
| Sixpenny Handley in early and modern times |
The account below from
http://dorset-ancestors.com describes how the fire occurred and the devastating
aftermath:
‘During the spring of 1892 there had been remarkably little
rain; the thatch roofing on the cottages was very dry. As the 20th of May
dawned people awoke and set about their labours. The village blacksmith and
wheelwright were busy bonding wheels, a process that required the rim to be
heated to a very high temperature before being lifted and secured on the wheel.
Just before noon it
seems a spark, or piece of burning material, was caught-up by the wind and
carried some 150 yards from the smithy, alighting on the thatched roof of a
cottage and setting it alight. Before it was noticed, sparks and embers had
been lifted by the wind and carried along and across the main street; it was
not long before the greater part of the village was ablaze, including the oil
and tallow store.
Residents grabbed all the possessions they could and took
them out of reach of the inferno but later, as the fire spread and there was
much commotion and confusion, the flames greedily swallowed up even these
meagre possessions. By the time the residents realised the scale of the battle
they had on their hands the fire was unstoppable.
It was noon. Most of the men and lads were at work in the
fields, this being a mainly agricultural community. The village is not near a
river and had no direct water supply from any source above ground. It proved an
impossible struggle, as even the wood framed wells surrendered to the intense
heat. Some villagers put ladders to the walls of their homes and attempted to
remove the burning thatch, but were defeated when the wooden ladders caught
fire.
The inability of the villagers to get control of the fire in
the early stages allowed it to rage fiercely and defy all attempts to halt the
destruction it was determined to wreak; it burnt for three days. There was
little left of the village after over 50 buildings were gutted, leaving 186
people homeless and destitute with little more than the clothes they stood up
in. This was the third fire to break out in the village in 35 years and by far
the most devastating.
The cost of rebuilding the village was expensive and a
daunting task. Other communities rallied around with donations of money and
clothes.’ So much clothing was donated that it was said a man could be
identified as being from Handley because he wore two or even three waistcoats.
This generosity is celebrated by the Sixpenny Handley Waistcoat Festival in
modern times.'
40.3 More about Sixpenny Handley
 |
| Sixpenny Handley after the fire |
 |
| Road sign to Sixpenny Handley |
Often written as '6D Handley' in the past, the love of money has nothing to do with the name of the village. The name is derived from two medieval hundreds: "Sexpena" (Saxon hilltop) and "Hanlega" (high clearing), which by the 14th century were united as the hundred of "Sexpenne et Henle".
The village was originally known as Handley, or Handley St
Mary. The use of the name Sixpenny Handley to describe the village and parish
is fairly modern, and was being used as an alternative name by the middle of
the 19th century. (From
http://sixpennyhandley.info/sixpenny-handley-history). The name is also often abbreviated to 'Handley'.
41.0 Ten children of GGGP James White (1830-1894) & Elizabeth
Selwood (1833-1888)
Of their ten known children, four died in infancy, but most
of the others lived into their fifties or older. In the mid 1800’s half of all
burials in Handley were young children, which suggest infectious disease as the
cause. It is interesting to note that GGGP
James White b1830 and Elizabeth
Selwood’s first born child was a girl, and perhaps that is why they went
on to break the long tradition of naming their first born son James. In fact
they went further than that, and did not name any of their boys ‘James’.
Perhaps James was tired of
the confusion of calling out James and having two or three people respond.
41.1 Mansel Jane White (1857-1915)
Mansel was born on 6 Mar 1857 at Bowerchalke according to the 1861 census, but was baptised at Handley on 26 Apr 1857. From 1861-1879 she lived with her parents, until on 2 Sep 1879 at the age of 23. she married a much older man John Wyatt 34, woodman in Handley. Mansel's father GGGF James White, described as a bricklayer, signed the registration as a witness. Mansel and John signed their names too.
 |
| Mansel White married John Wyatt on 2 Sep 1879 at Handley |
 |
| 1891 Census a few years prior to the Great Fire. Mansel's two brothers were living with her family |
 |
| 1901 Census. Mansel and her family were living in Tollard St, Tollard Royal. |
On 21 Oct 1909 Mansel's only son William Sydney Wyatt 22 was admitted to the 'Sick Asylum' in Poplar, London. He had been suffering from severe diabetes and had been living with his parents; Mansel and John Wyatt up until his father died in Jul 1908. His widowed mother was living at 25 Parnell Rd, Poplar. Sadly William passed away on 29 Dec 1909. The admission record contains numerous documents relating to William's life. There is no record of a wife or children.
 |
| 1911 Census |
41.2 Henry Enoch White (1858-1859)
Henry Enoch White was baptised on 31 Oct 1858. He died a few months
later on 17 Jan 1859 and was buried at Sixpenny Handley.
 |
| Sixpenny Handley Burials 1859 |
41.3 Ellen Louisa White (1860-1864)
Ellen was baptised on 25 Mar 1860. She was listed as a one year old on the 1861 census but sadly she died at
the age of four on 26 Sep 1864.
41.4 GGM Anne Marie White (1862-1944)
Anne Marie
was baptised on 30 Mar 1862 at Sixpenny, Handley. Her parents were listed as James White, mason and Elizabeth White nee Sellwood.
 |
| GGM Anne Maree Loader nee White with grand-daughter Nancy c1928 |
 |
| GGM Anne Marie Loader nee White and grand-daughter Nancy 1938 |
41.6 Emily Elizabeth White (1865-1866)
Emily was baptised on 31 Dec 1865 at Handley.
She was the fourth child of James and Elizabeth to die in infancy. Ellen died on 9 Mar 1866 aged 1.
She was the fourth child of James and Elizabeth to die in infancy. Ellen died on 9 Mar 1866 aged 1.
41.7 Ellen Kate White (1867-1953)
Ellen was born on 20 Feb 1867 and baptised on 28 Apr 1867 at Handley. Although she was the seventh child born to GGGP James & Elizabeth White, four earlier babies had died during infancy.
 |
| Baptisms Handley 1867 |
She lived in handley with her parents lived there with
her parents from 1871-1881. In 1891 at the age of 24, Ellen was living at Pinchbeck as a
nurse (possibly a nanny) for the Wayel family. By 1901 she was still working as
a nurse for Capt Bullock and his family at Silton Lodge, Dorset. In 1911 she had found a job as a nurse for the Laycock family at Endcliffe Chase, Sheffield in Yorkshire. By 1939 Ellen had retired and was living at Haddon Lea, Sackmore Lane, Sturminster Newton.
Ellen never married and died on 8 Apr 1953 at Wimborne East Boro Hospital aged 86. She was buried at St John the Evangelist, Wimborne.
Ellen never married and died on 8 Apr 1953 at Wimborne East Boro Hospital aged 86. She was buried at St John the Evangelist, Wimborne.
 |
| Ellen Kate White was buried on 11 Apr 1953 at St John the Evangelist, Wimborne |
Ellen's will left an amount of over £609 divided between the surviving children of three of her siblings as follows. One third divided equally among the
children of her deceased brother Walter White (Olive Ruth Mitchell nee White, William George White and Geoffrey White), one
third divided among the seven offspring of deceased brother James William
White and the remaining third divided among the offspring of deceased sister GGM Annie Maria Loader nee White. Nine of Annie Loader's children were listed as beneficiaries.
As GF Walter Loader had predeceased the testatrix, his share was divided between
his daughters Louisa Bartlett nee Loader, Mary Lindup nee Loader and Nancy Djurovich nee Loader. The
will had a note saying that a search for Ellen's brother, Archie White, had
failed to locate him and it was assumed he died some years before, a bachelor. For an unknown reason, niece, Elsie Kate Skues nee Wyatt, the daughter of sister Mansel Wyatt nee White, was not included as a beneficiary. This was probably because the rest of the family had lost touch with her, as her mother had died in 1915.
41.8 William James White (1869-1919)
William was born on 1 Jan 1869 and baptised on 28 Feb 1869 at
Handley by parents GGGP James White bricklayer & Elizabeth White ("formerly Selwood").
 |
| Birth Registration of William James White 1869 |
The birth reegistration contains several details including the fact that his mother's surname was fomerly Selwood. Interestingly the document was signed by the mother and the birth was officially registered twenty days after the birth. The father may not have signed because he was absent; his occupation was journeyman bricklayer (i.e he traveled to different locations for work)
William James White lived with his parents from 1871 until in 1887 when he joined the
British army at the age of 18.
 |
| William's physical description on enlistment 30 Sep 1887: Height 162 cm, weight 52kg, brown hair & eyes, freckles. |
In 1899 William fought in the South African campaign (Boer War) and
received a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He quickly rose through the ranks to
be a sergeant and returned to England after the war. In 1905 he was posted to Dorchester.
Whilst living at Dorchester Barracks, William 36, sergeant, married
Beatrice Maud Barrow 24 At the time of their wedding Beatrice
was living in Dorchester too, but they possibly knew each other before that,
because Beatrice had been born and raised in Wimborne. In 1891, as a ten year
old, she had been living in Old Rd, Wimborne with her parents not far from where
William’s sister Annie Loader nee
White was living with her family.
Two years after their marriage in 1907, William 38, who had given twenty years of military service, requested to be discharged from the army, and they lived on his army pension.
 |
| 1911 Census: Living at 17 Old Rd, Wimborne were William James White 42, Beatrice White 30 & three sons |
In 1911 the couple
were living at 17 Old Rd Wimborne as follows: William James White 42, army
pensioner, Beatrice Maud White 30, William Edward James White 4, Alfred
Charles White 3 and Leslie Thomas White 6 months. (A fourth child had died young.) They were living across the road from his sister GGM Annie Loader nee White and
her family.
In 1914 at the age of 45 on the outbreak of WW1, William
James White volunteered for army service again. His army record listed his
children as follows: William Ed James White, Alfred Charles White, Leslie
Thomas White, Leonard Frank White and Caroline Maud White. Their address was given
as 2 Hope Cottage, West Row, Wimborne. He was soon given his previous rank of
Sergeant, but within two years, in 1916, he was discharged from the army due to
ill health.
On 3 Apr 1919 William aged 50, died from pneumonia at 194 Blandford Rd, Hamworthy, and was buried at Wimborne Minster. William's occupation on the death certificate listed him as a shipyard labourer as well as his former army service. He must have supplmented his pension income with other work. William’s widow, Beatrice Maud White nee Barrow, was left to manage with six sons and one daughter under the age of thirteen. A few years later she became pregnant again and gave birth to her seventh son Phillip Light, who was born on the 7 May 1922 at Wimborne. Five months later Beatrice married Herbert Henry Light who presumably was Phillip’s father. Beatrice had one more son George Henry Light in 1923, but sadly passed away at the young age of 47 in 1928. Cause of death was listed as ‘aortic regurgitation’.
 |
| Beatrice Maud White nee Barrow |
41.9 Walter George Turner White (1872-1944)
 |
| Handley Baptisms 1872 |
In 1895 Walter married Fanny Agnes Day (also born in
Handley) at Wareham (EMI). Fanny Day’s mother was Elizabeth Day nee White, born in
Handley in 1840, and may have been a distant cousin.
Walter and Fanny moved to 8
Avon Dale Tce, Willesden, Middlesex and in 1901 the family consisted of Walter
G White 28 bricklayer (he probably learned the skill off his father), Fanny
White 30, Eva White 5, George White 3 and William Loader 16 electric light shop
boy (Walter’s nephew, who was the son of sister GGM Anne Marie Loader nee White see 14.2).
 |
| 1901 census |
 |
| 1911 Census |
Fanny Agnes White nee Day died at ‘Yew Tree Cottage’, Handley on 14 Sep 1928. Probate was granted to Charles Day, builder with her effects valued at £250.
In 1939 the widowed Walter White, 67 year old bricklayer, was living with daughter Olive R. Bennett nee White (b1905), her husband William Bennett, council worker, and her family, in Handley.
Walter lived on until 17 Apr 1944 and was buried on 23 May 1944 at Sixpenny Handley aged 72.
41.10 Ernest Archie White (1874-1956?)
Ernest (listed as Enos) Archie White was born in Oct 1874 and baptised on 12 Jan 1875 at
Handley by James White, bricklayer, and Elizabeth White nee Sellwood.
In 1881 aged 6, he was living with his parents at Handley. See below.
 |
| Ernest Archie White was baptised as Enos White 12 Jan 1875 at Handley |
 |
| On the 1881 census the children were listed on the page after their parents. Ernest Archibald was attending school. |
By 1891 Ernest Archie White had
taken up work as a grocer’s assistant and was living with sister Mansel Wyatt
nee White and her family (see 41.1). As a young man, the name "Ernest" was dropped and he went by the name Archie.
 |
| Archie White (Bottom) aged 14, a grocer's assistant, living with sister Mansel Wyatt nee White in Handley in 1891 |
The following year, much of the town of
Handley (particularly the thatched cottages) was burned down when a fire
escaped from the blacksmith’s shop. Although there is no record of how the
White families fared, by the time of the next census over 200 people (including the Whites) had moved to other
towns and villages which suggests that their house was one of those lost in the
fire.
No other records relating to Ernest Archibald White can be
found, including a death registration. It is possible that he was so traumatized by the fire that it had a devastating effect on him for the rest of his life.
In 1911 there was an Archibald White 34, unmarried labourer living in a boarding house at Wimborne, which may have been him. Reasons for it not being him, are the wrong age (he was 36), lack of the name Ernest and his place of birth is given as Wimborne and not Handley. However these minor differences do not rule out this record, as they are the type of errors common in the census.
When Archie's sister Ellen Kate White died in 1953, she left
over 600 pounds divided among her siblings and their offspring. The executors
of her will were unable to locate Archie and assumed that he had died some
years before Ellen, as a bachelor with no offspring. An Ernest A. J. White died in 1956 at Poole aged 80 (i.e. born 1875/6), which also may have been him.
42.0 GGGGP James White (1799-1867) & Ann West (1802-1876)
The father of
GGGF James White b1830 was GGGGP
James White b1799. James
White snr was baptised 26 May 1799
in Handley to parents James and Ann White nee Williams.
 |
| James, son of GGGGP James & Ann White, baptised May the 26th, 1799, at Handley |
When GGGGF James White's b1799 mother GGGGGM Ann White nee Williams
died in 1818, he was only 18, and the oldest of eight children, so he would
have had to take on much of the responsibility of looking after his younger siblings. Records indicate that most of his siblings died young, but younger brother Phillip was a very young baby and Enoch was 10 years old. Perhaps James' child minding duties were a factor in him not getting married until he was 30.
 |
| GGGGP James White married Anne West (both of the Parish of Handley) on 19 Apr 1829. |
On 19 Apr 1829 aged 30, James married GGGGM Ann West 27. According to later census documents GGGGM Ann West was baptised 25 miles away in Warminster in 1802 (See 50.0). How she met her future husband is a mystery. Perhaps he was working in the Warminster area at the time. Ann
must have moved to Sixpenny Handley prior to her wedding, because the marriage
registration listed her as ‘of the Handley Parish’. A witness at the wedding was
James’ uncle John White
b1788. Neither James nor John could sign their names, but Anne West signed her name. The lack of literacy skills is one marker that can help identify our early White ancestors.
The young couple remained in Handley for the birth of
children GGGF James White
b1830 and Ernest (Enoch) White b1833. Tragedy struck when baby Ernest died after 6
months. Soon, more babies were born: Enoch b1834, Henry b1837, Harriet b1838 and Eliza b1840. Sadly baby Henry also died as an infant.
 |
| 1841 Census: GGGGP James and Ann White nee West living in Sixpenny Handley with family incl GGGF James White |
In 1841 GGGGP James White 40 (b1799), Ann White 40 (b1801), GGGF James White 10, Enoch White 8, Harriet White 3 and Eliza White 4 months were living in Handley St., Handley. Youngest daughter Eliza died later that year. James and Ann’s sixth and last child, Louisa White, was born in 1843.
 |
| 1851 census of Handley: GGGGP James White 50 & wife Ann 47 & GGGF James 20, Enoch 18, Harriet 12 & Louisa 7 |
According to the 1851 census, the family consisted of GGGGP James White 50 (b1799)
agricultural labourer, and Ann White
nee West 47 (b1802) and their children GGGF James White 20 mason, Enoch White 18 lab, Harriett White 12 and
Louisa White 7.
 |
| 1861 Census: GGGGP James White 60 & wife Ann White nee West, daughter Harriet & lodger Charles West 51 |
GGGGF James White died from Apoplexy (stroke) on 23 Nov 1867 at Sixpenny Handley with a listed age of 72 (really aged 68) and
was buried on 27 Nov 1867. The death certificate was witnessed by “Elizabeth
White”, who was present at the time of death and was probably his daughter-in-law GGGM Elizabeth White nee Selwood, who was married to son GGGF James White and lived next
door. Elizabeth made her mark.
 |
| 1871 Census Handley |
In 1871 GGGGM Ann White nee West 67 widowed seamstress, was listed as the head of the household and was living in High St., Handley near the Roebuck Inn. She was sharing the house with unmarried daughter Harriet White 33, also a seamstress, and a lodger Robert Dennett 18 slaughterman. She was still living next to son GGGP James and Elizabeth White nee Selwood and their family. There were many other ‘White’ families in the village and all were probably related in some way.
On 27 Sep 1876 GGGGM Ann White nee West 73 died of typhoid fever. Ann was buried on 2 Oct 1876 at Sixpenny Handley. The death certificate was witnessed by daughter Harriet White 38, who sadly died two months later, and confirmed that Ann was born in 1802 and was the widow of James White.
43.0 Seven children of GGGGP James White (1799-1867) & Ann West (1802-1876)
Of James and Ann’s six children only one, GGGF James White, had any known children. Of the others, two died as infants and two never married. Only two children (GGGF James and Louisa) lived past the age of fifty.
43.0 Seven children of GGGGP James White (1799-1867) & Ann West (1802-1876)
Of James and Ann’s six children only one, GGGF James White, had any known children. Of the others, two died as infants and two never married. Only two children (GGGF James and Louisa) lived past the age of fifty.
43.1 GGGF James White (1830-1894)
James married GGGM Elizabeth Selwood in 1856 and
they went on to have ten children. (See 40.0) It was their daughter GGM Ann Marie White who married Edmund Loader joining the White family on to the Loader tree.
43.2 Enoch White (1833-1833)
 |
| Handley Burials: Ernest (Enos) White was buried at the age of 6 months on 15 Sep 1833. |
43.3 Enoch White (1834-1884)
The third baby was also named Enoch White and was baptised on 22
Aug 1834 by parents GGGP James & Ann White.
He remained unmarried until the age of 48, when on 21 Dec 1882 he married Mary Barnett, spinster aged 37 in London. At this time he was working as a hospital porter. Enoch's father was listed as James White, deceased labourer.
 |
| Enoch White 48 hospital porter married Mary Barnett 37 on 21 Dec 1882 at the registry office, George Hanover Square |
Enoch did not have long to enjoy his marital status as tragically at
the age 50, he died on 24 Sep 1884, in London from congestion of heart and lungs.
There were no known children. Probate was granted in Nov to his widow Mary White nee Barnett. Their address was 41 Gladstone St, Battersea and Enoch's effects were valued at 142 pounds.
43.4 Henry White (1837-1837)
Henry was baptised on 30 Apr 1837 at Sixpenny Handley by parents James and Ann White but died as an infant in that same year.
43.5 Harriet White (1838-1876)
Harriet was born on 8 Jul 1838 and lived with her parents from 1841-1861 at Handley. After the death of her father GGGGF James White in 1867, she remained living with her widowed mother GGGGM Ann White nee West, next door to brother GGGF James White b1830 and his family in High St, Handley.
 |
| 1871: Harriett 35 was living with her widowed mother. Next door was brother GGGF James White and his family |
Harriet’s mother
died on 27 Sep 1876 and Harriet was the witness on the death certificate.
 |
| Death Certificate 1876 Harriett White |
Less than two months later on 23 Nov, Harriet died at the young age of 38. Case of death was congestion of the lungs. She was buried in the cemetery at Sixpenny Handley on 28 Nov 1876. Her sister Louisa, was present at the time of death.
 |
| Harriett aged 38 was buried at Handley om 28 Nov 1876 |
43.6 Eliza White (1841-1841)
Eliza was born on 28 Feb 1841 but died as an infant and was buried 9 months later on 16 Sep
1841.
 |
| Handley Baptisms 1841 |
43.7 Louisa White (1843-1920)
Louisa was baptised on 22 Feb 1843 at Handley. There were several "White" families living in Handley at this time. Two days later George White (bottom entry) was baptised by his parents; cousin George White b1809, carpenter, and his wife Anne White nee Wareham.
 |
| Louisa White (top) was baptised in Sixpenny Handley on 22 Feb 1843 by parents James & Ann White nee West |
Louisa was
living with her parents in 1851, but had moved out of the family home and was
working as a domestic servant by 1861. Her first work was as a kitchen maid,
but by 1871 when she was 29 she had moved to Titchfield and was working as a
cook. On 23 Nov 1876, Louisa was present when her older sister Harriett died at Handley at the age of 38. Louisa was listed as the informant on the death certificate.
In 1891 she was living at St. James, Kent and still working
as a cook for an 81 year old widower; Mr Baldwin. At the age of 58 (1901), she
continued working as a cook at Colebrook Mansion, being one of six servants to
the Smith family.
Finally in 1911, Louisa had retired from
domestic service and was living at 39 Southbrook St, Hammersmith aged 68. She
was unmarried, living alone and gave her occupation as needlework. Louisa died
in 1920 at Hammersmith aged 77. On the 1911 census she indicated that she had had no children.
 |
| 1911 census |
44.0 GGGGGP James White (1775-1851) & Ann Williams
(1776-1818)
The father of GGGGF
James White b1799 was GGGGGF
James White born on 24 Oct 1775 and like all the other James White’s
above, he was born in Handley.
 |
| GGGGGF James son of GGGGGGP James & Jane White nee Webb baptised Oct 24th 1775 |
James White born 1775 was the son of of GGGGGGP James White and Jane Webb and was baptised at Handley on 24 Oct 1775. There was another James White born a few years earlier in 1772 to Henry and Ann White. Henry was a cousin of our James.
 |
| Stalbridge Baptisms; Bottom Entry: Aug 2 Ann (daughter of) William & Ann Williams |
GGGGGF James' future wife, Ann Williams was baptised 20 miles away at Stalbridge on 2 Aug 1776 by parents GGGGGGP William and Ann Williams nee Reandle (married in 1758). GGGGGM Ann had eight siblings including two older sisters with the same name but both died young. The second Ann was baptised the year before (22 Jun 1775) and that sister died two days after the baptism. GGGGGM Ann Williams was a resident of Handley prior to her marriage, so that is where they probably met.
 |
| James White married Ann Williams 6 Sep 1798 in Handley. Both were "of this Parish". |
On 6 Sep 1798 at the age of 24 GGGGGF
James White b1775 married 23 year old GGGGGM
Ann Williams b1776 in Handley. Witnesses did not include Henry White b1736 who witnessed most other marriages in Handley, and this may be evidence that this James was not the other James White b1772, who was the son of Henry White b1736. Neither James nor Ann could sign their names.
GGGGGP James and Ann White had eight children over the next 20 years (one every 2 or 3 years) with their last child, Phillip born in 1818 when Ann was 44. On most of the children’s baptismal and marriage registrations, James White was listed as a labourer.
GGGGGP James and Ann White had eight children over the next 20 years (one every 2 or 3 years) with their last child, Phillip born in 1818 when Ann was 44. On most of the children’s baptismal and marriage registrations, James White was listed as a labourer.
 |
| Burial of GGGGGM Ann White nee Williams 44 on 8 Feb 1818 at Sixpenny Handley |
 |
| Burials Handley 1851 |
There is some uncertainty about when James White died. Some family histories list his death date as 1844, but I tend to think this record relates to James White born 1783 (see note below).The above burial record could be an alternative. It lists James White 71 (really 75) being buried in Handley on 1 Oct 1851.
44.1 James Whites of Sixpenny Handley
Around this time (mid 1700- early 1800) there were at least eight James Whites born in the small hamlet of Sixpenny Handley, so records become less reliable and there is a greater chance of error. These men are listed with their most likely death dates below:-
a) GGGGGGF James White (1751-1811). Son of Henry White b1736 and Mary Unknown. Married Jane Webb in 1774. Labourer, who did not sign his name. Children were GGGGGF James White 1775, William White 1777-?, Jane White 1779-1788, Mary White (Moxam) 1782-1859, Ann White (Ferret) 1785-1824 and John White (Trowbridge) 1788-1868. See
b) James White (1767-?) Son of Richard White and Elizabeth Messer m1759. Neither signed names. An agricultural labourer and married Jane Unknown according to 1841 and 1851 census. This may have been a second marriage, but there is no record of marriage or children in Handley Parish. Died after 1851.
c) James White (1772-?) Son of Henery White b1836 and Ann Johnson. Married Elizabeth Redman in 1798. Children were William 1799, George 1800, John 1803, Elizabeth 1805, James 1806, George 1809, Lydia 1811 and Mary 1813. Died after 1813
d) GGGGGF James White (1775-1851?) Son of James White b1751 and Jane Webb. Married Ann Williams in 1798. Children were GGGGF James 1799, Ann 1801, Benjamin 1804, Peggy 1806, Enoch 1808, Walter 1811, Joseph 1813 and Phillip 1818. See
e) John James Webb White (1783-1844), who mostly went by the name James. Son of Thomas White and Jane Webb. Married Hannah West in 1803. Children were George, Jenn Maria (Jane Maria?) b1806 & died 1806, Elizabeth White b1808,
John James White b1809, Mary Ann White b1812, Hannah White .
b1814 and
Thomas White b1820. See 44.1
f) James White (1790-1790) Son of William White b1767 and Deborah Reed. No records have been found for the marriage or death of James b1790. Presumably he moved out of the area.
g) GGGGF James White (1799-1867). Son of James White b1775 and Ann Williams. Married Ann West in 1829. Children were GGGF James White b1830, Ernest (Enoch/Phineas) White b1833, Enoch b1834, Henry b1837, Harriet b1838, Eliza b1840 and Louisa 1843. See
h) James White (1806-?) Son of James White b1772 and Elizabeth Redman. No records have been found for the marriage or death of James b1806. Presumably he moved out of the area.
Burials of five James Whites in Sixpenny Handley, which suggests some of the men left the area to live elsewhere. Few of the ages listed in the parish record were accurate, which makes linking records difficult
17 Nov 1790 James White no age listed at death. Possibly f) above
11 Sep 1811 GGGGGGF James White no age listed at death. Possibly a) above
20 Jul 1844 James White aged 63 (with 61 crossed out) i.e born 1781-1783 approx. Probably e) above
1 Oct 1851 GGGGGF James White aged 71 ie. born 1780 approx. Probably d) above
29 Nov 1867 GGGGF James White aged 70 in parish record ie born 1797 approx. Death certificate lists age as 72. Probably g) above
NOTE: There are several reasons why the 1844 death registration may NOT relate to our James White. According to Findagrave.com, the wife of the James White who died in 1844, was named Hannah (d1841 aged 63). Secondly, in the 1844 death certificate, James was listed as a carpenter, when all other documents describe our James as a labourer. Also his age was listed as 63 (b1781), when in fact he was 69. There is no record of a James White born in Handley around 1781, but there was a James White baptised in Feb 1783, who became a carpenter. These facts suggest that the James who died in 1844 was in fact John James Webb White (the son of Thomas b1747 and Jane White), who would have been 61 in 1844.
44.2 James (John James Webb) White (1783-1844)
 |
| Baptisms Handley 23 Feb 1783 |
 |
| Marriages Handley 1 Jun 1803 |
 |
| 1841 Census |
In 1841 James White b1883, 60 year old (really 58) widowed carpenter was living in Sixpenny Handley with his 14 year old grand-daughter Elizabeth White bFeb 1827 (daughter of carpenter son George White b1804).
 |
| Death Certificate for James White who died 1844 |
James died three years later and was buried at Handley on 18 Jul 1844 with a listed age of 63 (really 61; the parish record lists 61, but this was crossed out). His occupation was listed as carpenter. The informant was usually a member of the family, but in this case it was the coroner at Shaftsbury (11 miles from Handley). This would suggest that the death was unexpected. Perhaps he was found dead! Cause of death was given as ‘visitations of God from Apoplexy’! This was a common description given when there was no other obvious explanation (eg. unknown diease).
44.3
GGGGGGP William Williams (1736-1818) & Ann Reandle (c1736-1791)
 |
| Bottom Entry; Stalbridge Baptisms: William son of Robert & Edith Williams 18 July 1736 |
 |
| William Williams married Ann Reandle 4 July 1758 at Stalbridge |
GGGGGGP William and Ann Williams nee Reandle were married 19 miles from Sixpenny Handley in 1758 in Stalbridge, Dorset. They had at least nine children in their family; Ann Williams 1759-1773, Elisha Williams 1762-1795, Hannah Williams 1765-1765, William Williams 1769-1772, John Williams 1770-1771, Hannah Williams 1772-1779, Ann Williams 1775-1775, GGGGGM Ann Williams 1776-1818 and Harriett Williams 1779-1803. Of the nine, three died as infants before the age of one, three died as children and of the three that lived to be adults, all died before their mid forties (Elisha aged 33, Ann b1776 aged 42 or 43 and Harriett aged 24). GGGGGM Ann Williams was the only one known to have had children.
GGGGGGM Ann Williams nee Reandle died in 1791 aged in her mid fifties, and was buried in Stalbridge on 13 Jul 1791.
GGGGGGM Ann Williams nee Reandle died in 1791 aged in her mid fifties, and was buried in Stalbridge on 13 Jul 1791.
 |
| GGGGGGF William Williams was buried in Stalbridge on 2 Nov 1818 aged 82 (born 1736) |
GGGGGGP William Williams 82 died in 1818 and was buried in Stalbridge on 2 Nov 1818. He died nine months after his last surviving daughter, GGGGGM Ann White nee Williams, who died in Handley. (See 44.0 above).
45.0 Eight Children of GGGGGP James White (1775-1844) & Ann
Williams (1776-1818)
All children were baptised in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset. Of the six boys and two girls only their eldest son GGGGF James White had children. Of the others, five seem to have died as young children. No records of their adult lives or burials have been found. The other two sons (Enoch and Phillip) married women later in life and there are no records of children being born.
45.1 GGGGF James White (1799-1867)
GGGGF James
was the first of their children and as was the tradition, given his father’s
name. He was baptised on 26 May 1799 and married GGGGM Ann West in 1829. They had six children (See 42.0 for more information about their married life).
45.2 Ann White (1801-?)
Ann was baptised on 27 Sep 1801 in Handley and named after her mother. She possibly died as
an infant as no more is known about her life. She can easily be confused in later documents with sister-in-law GGGGM Ann White nee West b1802 Handley (see above).
 |
| Ann White b1817 married William Barrett 1841 at Handley. Father James White labourer |
NOTE: There was an Ann White (b1817 Gussage All Saints with parents James White, (b1791 Gussage) yeoman/labourer and Elizabeth Edmonds; married in 1812), who married William Barrett at Handley on 20 Oct 1841. Ann 24 did not sign, but made her mark and one of the witnesses was Maria White. This was not our Ann White because of her place of birth and birth year (see 1851 census). The witness, Maria White, was a sister, born in Gussage in 1821. Why Ann and William Barrett were married six miles from her home town of Gussage is unknown.
45.3 Benjamin White (1804-?)
Benjamin was baptised on 26 Apr 1804 in Handley. A 'Benjamin White' 21, died and was buried 11 miles away at Shaftsbury on 1 Jan 1826, which is not him, as there was another man with the same name and similar age living there during that period. Our Benjamin White probably died young.
 | |
| Benjamin son of James & Ann White was baptised 26 Apr 1804 at Handley |
45.4 Peggy White (1806-?)
The writing in the baptism record is very hard to read and the name 'Pagey' is probably a badly written ‘Peggy’. Some family histories record this child as a son, but the record clearly lists her as a daughter. ‘Peggy’ was baptised on 18 Jul 1806 in Handley.
 |
| Top Entry: Peggy (Pagey) daughter of James and Ann White was baptised July 18, 1806 at Handley |
45.5 Enoch White (1808-1876)
Enoch was baptised on 4 Dec 1808 in Handley.
For an unknown
reason (perhaps for love) he moved to Wales before 1841 and the census shows he was living with the Davies family in Mill St, Abergavenny at census time. Living in the house were two other shoemakers shown on the next page of the census and together they seemed to be running a cottage industry.
 |
| Enoch son of James & Ann White was baptised December 4 1808 at Handley |
 |
| 1841 Census Mill St Abergavenny, Wales. Enoch is a shoemaker living with the Davies family |
 |
| 1851 census: Enoch White 41 shoemaker and Elizabeth White living in Lion St Abergavenny |
 |
| 1861: Enoch 51 shoemaker & Elizabeth White nee Bailey 42 have a lodger living with them. Birth place Handley. |
In 1861 they were living in Castle St and had a lodger living with them. Birth place was shown as Handley.
 |
| 1871 Wales Census confirms Enoch White 60 shoemaker was born in Handley, Dorset. Elizabeth's age is very understated |
By 1871 Enoch 60 (really 62) and Elizabeth 48 (really 55) had moved to Flannel St. Enoch stayed in Wales and worked as a shoemaker until he died on 12 Nov
1876 aged 61 (really 67) at Abergavenny. Probate was granted on his will to wife Elizabeth White 13 Mar 1877. They had no children and it is likely that Elizabeth White nee Bailey died in Wales in 1880.
45.6 Walter White (1811-?)
Walter was born on 3 Mar 1811 at Handley but no other
information is available. He possibly died as an infant.
 | ||
| Walter son of James & Ann White nee Williams was baptised March 3 1811 at Handley. |
45.7 Joseph White (1813-?)
Joseph was born on 18 May 1813 at Handley.
No more is known, but he possibly married Elizabeth Wells in Shaftesbury, Dorset (eleven miles from Handley) in 1834. However the 'Shaftsbury Whites' were probably a different family (see 45.3 above)
 |
| Joseph son of James & Ann White was baptised at Handley on 18 May 1813 |
45.8 Philip White (1818-1886)
 |
| Phillip, son of James and Ann White, baptised 18 Jan 1818 at Handley. |
There is no record for the 1841 census but on 1st Jan 1846 Phillip received a two month sentence in Dorchester Prison for "trespass and stealing a fence"! According to his prison record he was 25, single, a resident of Handley and his occupation was labourer. He was discharged on 28th Feb 1846 and seems to have kept out of trouble after this date.
On 19 Oct Phillip was a witness at his cousin Elizabeth White's (b1828) wedding. She was the daughter of his uncle John White b1788.
On 8 Dec 1850, at the age of 32, he married a much older woman Elizabeth Viney
48. They were both from the Parish of Handley. From 1851 to 1861 Phillip White 41
agricultural labourer and Elizabeth White 59 nee Viney were living in Handley.
They were living close to nephew GGGF James White b1830 and his family and cousin Joseph White (b1828) and family (son of Phillip's uncle John White b1788).
In 1871 Phillip White 55 labourer and Elizabeth White 70 nee Viney were living at High St. Handley, close to John White (uncle) and his family. Phillip’s wife Elizabeth died in 1875 with the death registered in Wimborne. In 1881 Phillip was living alone in Handley as a widower and he probably died in 1886 with the death registered at Wimborne. There were no known children.
46.0 GGGGGGP James White (1751-1811) & Jane Webb (1749-1813)
There was a tradition over many generations in our White family, of naming the first born son, ‘James’. Naming children after their mother or father was quite common, but for the first born child to be a male every time over four generations was more unusual. And of course, several siblings in each generation may have named one of their sons ‘James’ too. The result was that, at any one time, there were several ‘James Whites’ and ‘Jane Webbs’ living in Handley, which makes tracing the family tree much more difficult. For example, there is a record of a Thomas White also marrying a Jane Webb in the same church a few years prior to ‘our’ James on 13 Oct 1770. He may have been a brother.
 |
| 1871 Handley census |
46.0 GGGGGGP James White (1751-1811) & Jane Webb (1749-1813)
There was a tradition over many generations in our White family, of naming the first born son, ‘James’. Naming children after their mother or father was quite common, but for the first born child to be a male every time over four generations was more unusual. And of course, several siblings in each generation may have named one of their sons ‘James’ too. The result was that, at any one time, there were several ‘James Whites’ and ‘Jane Webbs’ living in Handley, which makes tracing the family tree much more difficult. For example, there is a record of a Thomas White also marrying a Jane Webb in the same church a few years prior to ‘our’ James on 13 Oct 1770. He may have been a brother.
 |
| James White of the parish of Handley & Jane Webb of Handley were married 11 Dec 1774. |
At the age of 23 he married Jane Webb b1749 in Handley on 11
Dec 1774. Witnesses to the wedding were Henry White (possibly his father or
older brother) and John Marshall. Both witnesses signed their names, but neither
James nor Jane were able to sign their
names. Interestingly daughter Ann Ferrett nee White named one of her sons 'Marshall Ferrett' in 1813 (See below).
GGGGGGP James b1751 and Jane White nee Webb had six children born between 1775 and 1788. Their names and baptism dates were GGGGGF James White 24 Oct 1775, William White 25 Dec 1777, Jane (spelt Gane) White 7 Nov 1779, Mary White 28 May 1782, Ann White 24 May 1785 and John White 13 Jul 1788. (See 47.0 below for details.) Four of their children are known to have married; James in 1798, Mary in 1802, Ann in 1804 and John in 1814.
GGGGGGM Jane Webb (1749-1813) was the daughter of GGGGGGGP John Webb (c1720-1777) and Mary Yetment (c1725-1795). See 48.3 for more information about the Webb family.
After living all her life in the village, the parish records indicate that GGGGGGM Jane White nee Webb was buried there on 29 Dec 1813, at the given age of 59. If this was our relation she was really 64 at the time of her death.
There were two James Whites who died in Handley in 1790 and 1811. Either of these may have been GGGGGGF James White. If the latter date is correct, James would have been 60 at the time of his death.
GGGGGGP James b1751 and Jane White nee Webb had six children born between 1775 and 1788. Their names and baptism dates were GGGGGF James White 24 Oct 1775, William White 25 Dec 1777, Jane (spelt Gane) White 7 Nov 1779, Mary White 28 May 1782, Ann White 24 May 1785 and John White 13 Jul 1788. (See 47.0 below for details.) Four of their children are known to have married; James in 1798, Mary in 1802, Ann in 1804 and John in 1814.
GGGGGGM Jane Webb (1749-1813) was the daughter of GGGGGGGP John Webb (c1720-1777) and Mary Yetment (c1725-1795). See 48.3 for more information about the Webb family.
After living all her life in the village, the parish records indicate that GGGGGGM Jane White nee Webb was buried there on 29 Dec 1813, at the given age of 59. If this was our relation she was really 64 at the time of her death.
There were two James Whites who died in Handley in 1790 and 1811. Either of these may have been GGGGGGF James White. If the latter date is correct, James would have been 60 at the time of his death.
46.1 Isaac Gulliver (from Wikipedia; Not a relative)
Isaac Gulliver is a famous character from Dorset history and was the basis for several characters in novels that were based in the region. He lived in Sixpenny Handley and was married there in 1768, just a few years before GGGGGGF James White (b1751) married GGGGGGM Jane Webb in the same church. They almost certainly knew each other, but whether James was involved in Isaac’s ‘business’ activities is unknown.
Isaac Gulliver (1745-1822) was an English smuggler based on the South Coast. Gulliver and his gang ran fifteen luggers to transport gin, silk, lace and tea from the Continent to Poole Bay and came to control the coast from Lymington on The Solent in Hampshire, through Dorset to Torbay in Devon. He was known as "King of the Dorset Smugglers" and was also referred to as "the gentle smuggler who never killed a man."
On 5 October 1768, he married innkeeper's daughter Betty Beale at Sixpenny Handley parish church. An extremely wealthy man, Gulliver was also able to build many grand houses, among them 'Howe Lodge', in Kinson, Bournemouth, a purpose built smuggling stronghold. When Howe Lodge was demolished in 1958, a number of hiding places were found within, including a secret room only accessible through a door 10 feet up a chimney. It was at Howe Lodge that he allegedly covered his face in white powder and lay in an open coffin. When the customs men arrived to arrest him, his wife told them he had died during the night and showed them the 'body'. When they went away, Gulliver got out of the coffin and escaped.
A 1788 report from the Custom House, Poole, to His Majesty's Commissioners of Customs in London mentioned that: "Gulliver was considered one of the greatest and most notorious smugglers in the west of England and particularly in the spirits and tea trades, but in the year 1782 he took the benefit of his Majesty's proclamation for pardoning such offences and as we are informed dropped that branch of smuggling and afterwards confined himself chiefly to the wine trade which he carried on to a considerable extent having vaults at various places along the coast and in remote places.
Gulliver became a respected citizen gentleman and banker. He retired to Gulliver's House, West Borough, Wimborne and died there on Friday 13 September 1822, leaving an estate of £60,000, with properties across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. His body was interred at Wimborne Minster. During Gulliver's period as Wimborne Minster's church warden, there is no record of any payment being made for sacramental wine!”
47.0 Six Children of GGGGGGP James White (1751-?) & Jane Webb (1749-1813) (Updated 2019)
All six children were born and baptised in Sixpenny Handley.
47.1 GGGGGF James White (1775-1844)
 |
| Handley: James son of James & Jane White baptised Oct the 24 1775 |
47.2 William White (1777-?)
William was baptised on 25 Dec 1777 at Handley. William White 27 and Henry White witnessed the wedding of sister Ann White to Reuben Ferret on 24 Nov 1804.
William White of Woodcutts (Farm), with a listed age of 70 was buried at Sixpenny Handley on 10 July 1833. Supporting this possibility is the fact that William's nephew George White (son of sister Ann) died at Woodcotts in 1875. Our William was 56 at this time and although ages were often recorded wrongly, a 14 year discrepancy suggests this record may relate to another man. No more is known about William.
47.3 Jane White (1779-1788)
Jane (spelt Gane) was baptised on 7 Nov 1779 at Handley.
Jane White died aged 9 and was buried on 16 Mar 1788 at Sixpenny Handley.
47.4 Mary White (1782-1859)
Mary was baptised on 26 May 1782 and unusually her mother was named first on the baptism record.
 |
| "John Moxam and Mary White was married Nov 5 1802" at Sixpenny Handley |
 |
| John Witherington married Jane Moxam in 1832. Sister Charlotte was a witness |
1832 started badly, when son William Moxam died in March at the age of 23. In July of that year there was a happy occasion when daughter Jane Moxam 21 married John Witherington in Handley. Sister Charlotte Moxam 17 was a witness at the wedding. All made their marks. Daughter Charlotte married Andrew Dibben in 1835 in Handley. Witnesses were Daniel Witherington and Anne Lucas who were married themselves the following year.
The 1841 census records that John and Mary Moxham (nee White) both aged 60 were living in Deanland, Sixpenny Handley. Both were born in Handley and John’s occupation was given as agricultural labourer. In 1851 they were living in the same hamlet, next to their daughter Jane Witherington nee Moxam 39, her husband John 48 and their daughter Louisa Witherington 18.
 |
| 1851: John 71 & Mary Moxham 71 living at Deanland, Sixpenny Handley |
Mary White died in 1859 in Handley aged 77. In 1861 widowed husband John Moxham 82 was living with nephew Robert and granddaughter Louisa White nee Witherington and their family. He was listed as "grandfather" to Louisa. John Moxam died and was buried on 13 June 1864 aged 85.
47.5 Ann White (1785-1824)
Ann 'daughter of Jane and James White' was baptised at Sixpenny Handley on 24 May 1785.
Ann married Reuben Ferret (b1781 Tarrant Gunville) on 24 Nov 1804 at Horton.
 |
| Ann daughter of Jane and James White; baptised May the 24 1785 |
 |
| 1804 Reuben Ferrett residing in the parish of Woodlands married Ann White of the Parish of Sixpenny Handley |
The marriage registration reads ‘Reuben Ferret residing in the Parish of Woodlands and Ann White of the Parish of Sixpenny Handley’. Witnesses were William White (brother?) and Henry White. Just to confuse the situation, three weeks prior to the marriage, on 1 Nov 1804, another Ann White married James West at Sixpenny Handley. Sixpenny Handley, Woodlands and Tollard Royal are all within 3 miles of each other.
Reuben and Ann Ferrett settled in Tollard Royal to have at least three children; Amelia Ferret b5 Oct 1806, Marshall Ferret 24 Jan 1813 and Phineas 6 Apr 1817. They seemed to have moved one mile to Farnham before 1820. Sadly their two eldest children died in Farnham during their teenage years; Amelia died 6 May 1820 aged thirteen, Marshall Ferret died on 27 Mar 1827 aged 14. Youngest son Phineas went on to marry and have children, one of whom became a policeman.
 |
| Youngest son Phineas Ferret 21 married Matilda Rose in Farnham, Dorset in 1837. |
47.6 John White (1788-1868)
John was baptised on 13 Jul 1788 by James and Jane White in Sixpenny Handley. He can be confused with John White b1803 carpenter (descended from John's uncle, HenryWhite b1736).
 |
| "John White and Sarah Trowbridge was married.(sic) married April the 11th 1814" at Handley. |
John White married Sarah Trowbridge on 11 Apr 1814 at Handley. Neither could sign their name. According to the parish record Sarah had at least 11 children between 1816 and 1831; Jane White 1816 (died young), James White 1818, Thomas White 1819, George White 1821-1846, Jane White 1822-1823, William White 1823, Jane White 1824, Charles White 1826, Elizabeth White 1828, Joseph White 19 Oct 1828-1897 and Robert White 1831-1869. Two of their children were baptised just months apart in the same year which is very unusual. They may have been twins and the weaker one (Elizabeth) may have been baptised sooner in case she passed away, or they may have been born each to a different couple with the same Christian names. See Note 2 below. Another oddity is that baby Elizabeth's parent's names were listed with the mother's name first, which was also unusual!
 |
| 1841 census: John & Sarah White & their family were living next to James, Jane & Charles White in Handley |
 |
| Marriages: Sixpenny Handley 1850 |
Over the next two decades, six children were married. In 1842 son George White married Jane Green and in 1848 son Charles 22 b1826 married Charlotte Penny 25 at Handley. The wedding was witnessed by Elizabeth Redman. Charles White b1826 and his young family migrated to the U.S. in the 1850's and lived there for the rest of their lives. Daughter Elizabeth White married James Dimmer in Oct 1850 (cousin Phillip White was a witness), Jane White married Moses Isaac the following week and three weeks later Joseph White b1830 married Maria Adams on 3 Nov 1850. All weddings were in Handley. Youngest son Robert White married the daughter of cousin Jane Witherington nee Moxham; Louisa Witherington in Handley in 1852 (see above). Interestingly, the males were able to sign their names, but their sisters made their marks on their marriage registrations.
 |
| 1851 census John White 62 woodman, Sarah White 62 and Robert White 18 woodman prior to his marriage in 1852 |
By 1851 all but the youngest child had left home, leaving John White 62 (b1789) woodsman, Sarah White 62 (b1789) and Robert White 18 (b1833). Sarah White nee Trowbridge died in 1859 aged 71. In 1861 John White 73 widower, still gave his occupation as agricultural labourer (retirement is a relatively recent concept).
 |
| Burials Handley 1868 |
 |
| 1861 census: Robert White 29 & wife Louisa 28 & daughter Eva 3 living with John Moxam 82 widowed uncle of Robert |
NOTE: Son Robert White (1831-1869) was a labourer and also a "primitive methodist local preacher". He married the daughter of his cousin Jane Witherington nee Moxam) in 1852. His wife's name was Louisa Witherington. Louisa was born in Denland (Deanland), one mile north of Handley to John and Jane Witherington nee Moxam.
In 1861 Robert White, wife Louisa and their baby Eva were living with John Moxam 82 (former maltster), who was Louisa's grandfather. They were living next to Louisa's parents John & Jane Witherington nee Moxam, who were caring for Robert and Louisa's son George White 6. Sadly Robert White died in 1869 aged 38 with the death registered in Wimborne. His wife Louisa moved in with her parents. In 1871 living at Deanland were John Witherington 68, Jane Witherington nee Moxam 59, Louisa White nee Witherington 38 widowed daughter, and her children, George White 17, Eva White 13 and Edna White 9. All born in Handley.
 |
| 1881: Joseph White 52 & family, James & Elizabeth Dimmer nee White 52 & James & Elizabeth White nee Selwood |
NOTE 2: Children Elizabeth White and Joseph White were baptised in 1828 just weeks apart suggesting they were the same age. This is confirmed by the 1881 census when Joseph White 52 was listed with his family living next to twin sister Elizabeth Dimmer nee White also listed as 52. Living next door were James and Elizabeth White nee Selwood. James b1830 was the son of Joseph's cousin James White b1799. Ten years later Joseph White and James Dimmer were both still living in Handley, but their wives had died. Elizabeth Dimmer nee White died in 1896 and Joseph White died in Handley in 1897. Both were buried in Sixpenny Handley.
48.0 Early Whites living Sixpenny Handley
As there are fewer documents available from the early 1700's, there is a greater chance of errors. In the early 1700's the White families of the Sixpenny Handley region seem to be divided into two main groups with differences in their occupations and literacy abiliities.
Thomas White 1747-1813
Thomas White b1747 (baptised 1 Jan 1748) may have been a son of Henry White c1710, but this has not been confirmed. His baptismal record listed his father's surname, but no Christian name. He was not listed in the register along with the other children of Henry b1710, so he may have been from another family.
Thomas White b1747 married Jane Webb b1749 in Handley 13 Oct 1770. All parties signed their names and one of the witnesses was Henry White b1736. Thomas and Jane White had at least four children; Mary White b1772, Thomas White b1774, Elizabeth Jane Webb White 1779 and John James Webb White b1783. The descendants of Thomas' children tended to become tradesmen such as carpenters and thatchers. Likewise the descendants of Henry White b1736.
Thomas White was listed twice as a member of the Dorset Militia. In 1887 Thomas White carpenter, was listed as having four children, which is correct. Thomas appears to have died at the age of 66 in 1813. Thomas White, carpenter of Sixpenny Handley wrote his will, with wife Elizabeth White as the sole executrix, on 31 Dec 1803 with the following provisions:-
a) Daughter Mary White b1772 = two guineas
b) Son Thomas White b1774 = one guinea
c) Daughter Elizabeth White b1779 = one guinea
d) Son James White b1783= cottage on tenement where he now lives with free liberty to draw water from the well.
e) Wife Elizabeth White nee Webb = all other assets and after her demise or remarriage, the same to my
f) Son Richard White b1799
All of the above beneficiaries match the family of Thomas White b1747, except for the latter two people. This suggests that Thomas' first wife Jane died after the birth of her fourth child (explains why there were no more children after that date), and Thomas then married another woman named Elizabeth Bennett b1770, who was 23 years younger than him, which explains why she outlived her husband. The second marriage produced another son, who was named Richard White, in 1799. As he was only a toddler when his father made the will, Richard's inheritance was held by his mother until she died or remarried.
Thomas' first wife Jane was buried on 9 Mar 1788, five years after the birth of her last child. Thomas' second marriage was held ten years later (when Thomas was 51) on 31 Jul 1798. Thomas signed his name and one of the witnesses was Richard White, who was probably Thomas' brother.
Our ancestral line seems to originate from a son of Henry c1710; James White b1751. His descendants tended to remain agricultural labourers and for at least two generations, descendants were rarely able to sign their names.
48.1 GGGGGGGP Henry White (c1710-?) & Mary Unknown (c1715-?)
The parents of GGGGGGF James White b1751 were possibly GGGGGGGP Henry White c1710 and Mary (surname unknown) c1715. Henry White's eldest son and brother to James, Henry White b1736 played a prominent role in church activities at Handley, as he was a witness at most weddings during the period 1768 to 1807 (see below).
 |
| Six of Henry White's (c1710) children were listed at the front of the Baptismal Record with their birth dates |
GGGGGGGP Henry and Mary White were married before 1736. Six children were
listed in the Handley Baptism Register as being born (baptism dates are in
brackets) to Henry and Mary White between 1736 and 1754. Unusually, the list of Henry's children with birth dates was recorded as a separate entry inside
the front page of the book. The children were Henery White 2 Jul
1736 (4 July 1736), William White 22 Nov 1738 (17 Dec 1738), John White 30 Dec
1740 (4 Jan 1741), Isaac White 3 July 1745, GGGGGGF James White 2 Sep 1851 (8 Sep 1751) and Mary White 30
Dec 1754 (12 Jan 1755). The names were all written at the same time; sometime after the baptism of the last child in 1754. As eldest son Henry White 1736 became an official in the local parish, he may have been the person that recorded the names of his siblings, and later his own children in the front of the Parish Baptismal Register. The first boy and first daughter (Henry b1736 and Mary b1754) were named after their parents; Henry and Mary White.
There were two other children listed on the next page of the parish record, who may or may not be children of Henry White c1710. They are Sarah White born 7 Aug 1757 and John White 16 Oct 1760. If the wife of Henry b1710 was 20 when she gave birth to her first child in 1736, she would have been born in 1716 (i.e. 44 when she gave birth to her last child in 1760). .
Possible marriages for eight of Henry's b1710 children were :-
- Henry White b1736 aged 28 married Ann Johnson on 19 Jan 1864 (see 48.2)
- William White b1738 aged 40 possibly married Elizabeth Penny on 11 Aug 1778. Both were "of this parish". A witness was Ann White.
- John White b1740 probably died young, as a brother with the same name was born in 1760
- Isaac White b1745. May have died young as no other records have been found.
- GGGGGGF James White b1751 married GGGGGGM Jane Webb 11 Dec 1774
- Mary White b1754 aged 34 possibly married unrelated John White in 1788. (Alternative below)
- Sarah White 21 b1757 aged 20 possibly married Richard Lambert 11 May 1777 of Farnham. Sarah made her mark
- John White b1760 aged 28 possibly married unrelated Mary White on 17 Nov 1788. Both signed their names. (An alternative possibility is listed above)
48.2 Henry
White (1736-1820) (Not a direct relative)
The eldest son of Henry White c1710 and Mary White c1715 was Henry White b1736. He was an older brother to GGGGGGF James White b1751.
 |
| Henry White married Ann Johnson on 19 Jan 1764. |
Henry White b1736, 28 married Ann
Johnson ("both of this parish") on 19 Jan 1764 at Handley. The witnesses were
William Johnson (Ann's brother?) and Richard Dredge.
Henry and Ann White nee Johnson had nine children between 1764 and 1783. As with his parent's
children, his first three children's births were listed separately at the front
of the baptismal registry.
 |
| Ann daughter of Henry & Ann White born 30 Jul 1769, Joseph White born 30 Jan 1766, William White born 13 Sep 1767 |
The children with birth dates (baptism dates in
brackets) were Ann White 30 Jul 1764 (5 Aug 1764), Henry White 30 Jan 1766 (2 Mar
1766) and William White 13 Sep 1767 (20 Sep 1767). Other children born to the
couple were John White baptised 10 Dec 1769, James White baptised 23 Feb 1772, Thomas
White baptised 3 Jul 1774, Richard White baptised 7 Nov 1776, Enock baptised 14 Mar 1779
and Mary baptised 19 Dec 1783. The first son and daughter were named after their
parents.
Possible
marriages for the children of Henry White b1736 were:-
- Ann White b1764 aged 28 married John Burges 26 Nov 1792
- Henry White b1766 aged 21 possibly married Jane West 15 Aug 1787
- William
White 1767-? Possibly died young
- John White b1769 aged 39 possibly married Nancy Adams 17 Nov 1808
- James White b1772 possibly married Elizabeth Redman 28 Aug 1798 (Two Henry Whites were witnesses at this wedding-brother and father?). James signed his name
- Thomas White b1774 aged 24 possibly married Sarah Dibben 8 Jan 1800
- Richard J White b1776 aged 24 possibly married Elizabeth Hews 14 Apr 1800. Both signed.
- Enock White b1779 aged 24 possibly married Jane Moxam 9 Feb 1803. Both were of Handley and made their marks
- Mary White b1783 aged 28 possibly married James Isaac 18 Nov 1811
NOTE:
The 'special treatment' given to the birth records of the children of Henry c1710 and Henry b1736 may be related to the fact that the younger Henry b1736 held an administrative
position in the local parish church between 1768 and 1806 (See note below). Henry
White was one of the witnesses in most of the one hundred or so marriages that
occurred during this period. Occasionally there were two Henry Whites as
witnesses (father and son)!
In
the late 1700's Dorset Militias were
formed in each village, made up of "qualified" local volunteers
between the ages of 18 and 45 and several of Henry White's sons and brothers were
listed in the Handley Militia at various times. The 'volunteers' names were drawn at random, so not all 'Whites' were listed every year. I have used the birth dates above, to guess who each individual was (birth year and relationship to Henry b1736).
- Apr 1782 listed William White 43 b1738 servant (brother)
- 2 Mar 1785 listed William White 46 servant of Handley & Woodcotts (as above).
- Feb 1787 the four 'Whites' listed were Thomas White, carpenter (possibly a brother of Henry b1736. Thomas was a father of four children and probably born in 1747 (but parentage is uncertain). Also listed were William White b1867 carpenter (son who was aged 20), Henry White b1766 (son aged 21) thatcher and William White b1738 (brother aged 48) thatcher. The latter three had no children.
- Nov 1796, five 'Whites' were listed, including Thomas White 22 b1774 (son) carpenter (was listed separately) and then listed consecutively were James White 45 b1851 thatcher (cannot be a brother; who had children and was most likely a labourer) and sons James White 24 b1772 lab, Richard White 20 b1776 lab and Enoch White 17 b1779 lab. More detail was included at this time. All 'Whites' were around 170 cm tall and none had children.
- Nov 1799 Six Whites were listed; Thomas White 25 b1774 (son), Richard White 23 b1776 (son) and Enoch White 20 b1779 (son) all with no children, then later in the list, James White (with one child) and John White (with no children) and another unknown Thomas White, journeyman.
NOTE:
The militias were a territorial based force of able-bodied men to serve in a
time of war. Men in militias in coastal counties were expected to report for
duty if called upon, to help defend the country against invasion. (At that time invasion by
France was feared). Men were chosen by 'drawn lot' i.e. selected at random;
which explains why different men were listed for different years.
Henry
White junior b1736, died in 1820 and his
burial record included the note "for many years the clerk of this
Parish". Probate was granted in 1821 and the document provides information
about three of his sons who resided in Handley. Sons Thomas White, carpenter,
John White thatcher and Richard White, grocer were executors of the will. Thomas
and Richard signed the will, but John made his mark. The value of the estate
was less than 100 pounds.
48.3 GGGGGGGP John Webb (1703-1777) & Mary Yetment
(1726-1795)
There are no Webbs listed in the Handley baptism records in the early 1700's, but there was a John Webb listed 13 miles away at Wimborne.
GGGGGGGF John Webb (Weebb) was possibly baptised at Wimborne Minster in Dec 1703. He was the son of parents; John and Unknown Webb. John had three possible siblings baptised in Wimborne, who were John Webb Feb 1687, Jane Webb 10 Aug 1702 and Thomas Webb Feb 1705.
John's future wife Mary Yetment was probably born 20 miles from Wimborne in Stour Provost. There are two possible parentages shown above. Her parents were either Mathew and Jane Yetment nee Butt or George and Ann Yetment. Their surname may have also been spelt as 'Yeatman'
 |
| Wimborne Baptisms 1703; bottom entry: Weebb, John son of John |
 |
| Baptisms Stour Provost 1726: Mary Daughter of Mathew Yetment May 2 |
 |
| Baptisms Stour Provost 1717 Top Entry: Mary Daughter of George & Ann Yetment March 2 |
Matthew Yetment married Jane Butt in Stour Provost on 15 Oct 1719.
John and Mary possibly met in Sixpenny Handley (about halfway between the towns of their birth). Perhaps they moved there with their families as youngsters. John Webb married GGGGGGGM Mary Yetment on 16 Sep 1744 in Handley. Mary may have had a relative named William Yetment who married Elizabeth Unknown at Handley in the 1750's and had a family of several children.
GGGGGGGP John Webb (1720-1777) and Mary Yetment (1726-1795) possibly had nine children baptised at Handley; Ann Webb 4 Jun 1746, John Webb 20 Mar 1747, GGGGGGM Jane Webb b1 Oct 1749, James Webb b28 Oct 1750, Mary Webb 1751, Grace Webb 1753, Rebecca Webb 1757, William Webb 1759 and James Webb 1760.
 |
| Bottom: John Webb was buried in Sixpenny Handley 20 Jun 1777 |
GGGGGGGM Mary Webb nee Yetment was buried on the 30 Apr 1795 at Handley.
48.4 GGGGGGGGP John Webb (c1675-?) & Jane Mickell (c1680-1747)
GGGGGGGF John Webb was possibly baptised at Wimborne Minster in Dec 1703. He was listed as the son of GGGGGGGGF John Webb. John Webb c1675 was probably born in the latter half of the 1600's.
John Webb c1675 may have lost an earlier wife and married a second woman named Jane Mickell at Wimborne on 7 Mar 1701. (His first marriage may have lead to the birth of John Webb in 1687, a son who later died.) The second marriage resulted in the birth of GGGGGGGF John Webb b1703 and at least six other children; Jane Webb 10 Aug 1702, Thomas Webb Feb 1705, Martha Webb 1708, Alice Webb 1710, Mary Webb 1714 and Thomas Webb 1717.
GGGGGGGGF John Webb was possibly buried in Wimborne on 9 Aug 1727.
GGGGGGGGM Jane Webb nee Mickell widow was buried in Wimborne on 13 Apr 1747.
GGGGGGGGF John Webb was possibly buried in Wimborne on 9 Aug 1727.
 |
| Burials Wimborne 1747: Webb, Jane: Widow 13 Apr 1747 |
PART 5: WEST & AXFORD FAMILY TREE
The West and Axford trees came into our family in the early
1800’s and as there are fewer records available at this time there is a much
greater chance of error and inaccuracy. A diagram showing the tree is below. The Axford family joined our tree when GGGGGGM Ann Axford married James West. Two generations later the West tree joined the White tree when GGGGM Ann West married James White.
50.0 Ancestors of GGGGM Ann West
(1802-1872)
GGGGM Ann West
(1802-1872) was the daughter of GGGGGP James West (1772-1834)
& GGGGGM Ruth Knight
(1771-1829).
50.1 GGGGGP James West (1772-1834) & Ruth Knight
(1770-1829)
 |
| Baptisms St Denys, Warminster: 28 (Feb 1773) "James the son of James & Ann West aged 5 months" was baptised. |
GGGGGP James West
was baptised on 28 Feb 1773 at St Denys church, Warminster. As he was aged 5 months at the time, James must have been born in late Sep 1772. His family seemed to have lived their whole lives in Warminster, but James met his future wife in nearby Corsley.
 |
| 13 June 1770 Frome, Somerset: "Ruth Knight, daughter of William and Ann" was baptised |
GGGGGM Ruth Knight was born in Frome in 1770
to parents William and Ann Knight nee Gay, who had at least nine children, mostly baptised
in nearby Corsley. Soon after she was born, her parents moved the family back
to Corsley where Ruth grew up.
Ruth's mother GGGGGGM Ann Knight nee Gay b1734 died and was buried on 3 Sep 1792 at Corsley and Ruth, who was in her early twenties, was probably living in Corsley and caring for her and her mother and father (in their sixties) at this time. A few years later Ruth met her future husband James West who had moved to Corsley prior to their marriage.
Ruth's mother GGGGGGM Ann Knight nee Gay b1734 died and was buried on 3 Sep 1792 at Corsley and Ruth, who was in her early twenties, was probably living in Corsley and caring for her and her mother and father (in their sixties) at this time. A few years later Ruth met her future husband James West who had moved to Corsley prior to their marriage.
 |
| James West married Ruth Knight at Corsley 14 Apr 1800. James & Ruth's brother Samuel (a witness) signed their names. |
James West 27 and Ruth Knight 30 were married on 14 Apr 1800 in Corsley; the town where Ruth grew up. James signed his name but Ruth made her mark. One of the witnesses was Samuel Knight; Ruth's brother, born 1775. (He was still living in Corsley with his wife and children in the early 1800's). At the time of their marriage both James and Ruth were residents of Corsley, so James must have been living there for some time prior the marriage.
After their marriage GGGGGP James and Ruth
set up home a few miles away in Warminster, and had six children there; GGGGM Ann West 1802-1876
(See 50.0), Susan/na West b30 Oct 1803, Mary Ann West b3 Mar 1805, Thomas West
b30 Nov 1806, James West b6 Nov 1808 and William West b31 Mar 1811. Ruth was 41 when she had her
last child. Sadly, son Thomas died at the age of six. According to the death registration for their son, they were living in Back Lane/St from at least 1813 onwards.
GGGGGM Ruth West nee Knight 59, died in 16 Sep 1829 at Back St, Warminster. If her age at death is correct, she was born in 1770.
Some family histories list James West b1772 dying at the age of 65 in Jan 1838 at Westbury (4 miles from Warminster). However there is a record for James West b1772 of Back St, dying in 1834 at Warminster (see above). This record ties in with the fact that James' wife GGGGGM Ruth West nee Knight died in Back St in 1829, and daughter Mary Ann Bolter nee West was living in Back St, before 1841 (census). James and his wife were probably living with their daughter at the time of their deaths. This death record is the one I prefer. However if it is correct, his age should have been 61 at the time of his death.
NOTE: Back Street, Warminster does not seem to exist today. There is a Back Lane nearby at Chitterne.
51.0 Six Children of GGGGGP James West (1772-1834) & Ruth Knight (1770-1829)
James and Ruth were married in 1800 and had
six children between 1802 and 1811; the last when Ruth was 40. Of the three
girls and three boys, no records have been found telling about the lives of two of their boys, which may indicate that they died young. There are records relating to
the three girls, but there is some doubt about the identity of daughter Susanna
West in adult life.
NOTE: There was another Knight family living
in Corsley and having children at around this time. In 1801 Betty Knight nee
unknown (widow) married William Grant at Corsley. Witnesses were probably her
children from her first marriage; John Knight, Richard Knight and Ann Knight (daughter-in-law). Ann
Knight (same signature) also witnessed a wedding in Apr 1800. All parties
signed the marriage registration. In the following month Elizabeth Knight was a
witness at another wedding. In 1800 John Knight married Hester Orchard.
51.1 GGGGM Ann West (1802-1876)
 |
| Bottom: Ann daughter of James and Ruth West (nee Knight) baptised 10 Sep 1802 at St Denys, Warminster
GGGGM Ann West was baptised on 10 Sep 1802 at St Denys, Warminster and was one of six siblings. At some stage she moved 25 miles to Sixpenny Handley and married GGGGF James White (1799-1862) in 1829. Ann did not sign her name at her wedding, but made her mark. They went on to have their own family of six children (see 42.0). |
51.2 Susanna (Susan) West (1803-1887)
Susanna West ( daughter of James & Ruth West) was baptised on 30 Oct 1803 at Warminster (see above).
NOTE: The fact that Susan signed her name may indicate that this Susan was from another family because neither of her sisters (Ann and Mary Ann) were able to sign their names (see above and below).
Benjamin and Susan Ryall nee West moved to Hertsfordshire where Benjamin established a coachbuilding business. Susanna worked as a monthly nurse and they had a family. Susan Ryall nee West died in Ross, Hertsfordshire in 1887.
51.3 Mary Ann West (1805-?)
Mary Ann West was baptised in Warminster on 3 Mar 1805 by parents James and Ruth West.
Mary Ann West 18 married William Bolter, 22 year old carpenter, at Warminster on 16 Jul 1823. William signed his name but Mary made her mark. Mary had at least eight children over the next twenty years. One daughter died young.
 |
| Eldest son William Henry Bolter was baptised in the Common Close Independent Church on 3 Oct 1824 |
Mary Ann and her husband left the Church of England and attended the Common Close Independent Chapel, Warminster, where they had their children baptised.
 |
| 1841 Warminster census: Back Street, William and Mary Bolter with 6 children |
In 1841 William Bolter 40 year old carpenter and Mary Bolter nee West 35 were living in Back St Warminster with their family of six children; William Bolter 15 tailor's apprentice, Charles Bolter 13, Emily Bolter 12, Ann Bolter 8, Matilda Bolter 6 and Julia Bolter 3. They were living next door to Susan Webb, 70 year old pauper. One more child was born the following year named Selina Bolton. William Bolton died in 1849 in his late forties.
 |
| 1851 census Warminster: Mary Ann Bolter 48 year old widow with youngest daughter Selina 8 By 1851 the widowed Mary Ann Bolter nee West was living with her youngest daughter Selina and mother-in-law Martha Bolter in West St Warminster. Daughter Julia Bolter 13 was living a few doors away in West St as a boarder. The whereabouts of the rest of her young family is unknown, but Emily Boulter married Charles Hiley in London in 1853 and siblings William and Ann Boulter were witnesses. |
 |
| 1861 census West St, Warminster: Mary Ann Bolter 57 and unmarried daughter Julia 23 dressmaker |
In 1861 Mary Ann was still in West St, but she was now living with daughter Julia Bolter 23 year old dress maker. Mary Ann's occupation was given as 'umbrella repairer'.
 |
| 1871 Census Back St, Warminster: Mary Ann Bolter 68, unmarried Selina Bolter 28 and a lodger. |
Mary Ann Bolter had moved to Back St by 1871 and was living with unmarried daughter Selina Bolter, 28 year old dressmaker. She also had a lodger to bring in extra income. Mary Ann Bolter nee West died in Warminster in 1878 aged 75 (EDI)
51.4 Thomas West (1806-1813)
Thomas West was baptised by parents James and Ruth West at Warminster on 30 Nov 1806. Thomas West died when he was 6, at home in Back lane, Warminster and was buried on 11 Jul 1813.
51.5 James West (1808-?)
 |
| Bottom Entry: James West baptised 6 Nov 1808 |
James West was baptised at Warminster on 6 Nov 1808, but no more is known.
51.6 William West (1811-?)
 |
| 31 Mar 1811 "William son of James & Ruth West" |
William West was baptised at Warminster on 31 Mar 1811, but no more is known. There was another William West born in the same year 13 miles away at South Newton.
52.0 GGGGGGP William Knight (c1735-1812) & Ann Gay/Guy (1734-1792)
 |
| Frome Baptisms 1770: 13 June Ruth Knight daughter of William & Ann Knight |
The parentage (and date of birth) of her father, GGGGGGF William Knight, is
somewhat uncertain. A 'William Knight' was
born in Frome to John and Betty Knight on 26 Dec 1744. If this is our William he
would have been about 18 at the time of his marriage in 1762; which was far
younger than most marriages in our tree (unless he was baptised some years
after his birth, which sometimes did happen). He would have also been much younger than
his wife, which was also uncommon.
 |
| Donhead Baptisms 1737: William Knight was baptised at Donhead St Andrews on 11 Mar 1737 |
Two other possibilities are; William was
baptised by John and Charity Knight on 3 Apr 1727 in Frome, or alternatively
another William was baptised at Donhead St Andrews (about 20 miles from the
Frome/Warminster area) on 11 Mar 1737 (above). A brother to the latter William b1737, John
Knight, was baptised in Donhead 16 Feb 1738 by parents William and Mary Knight.
There do not seem to be any other William Knights born in the Frome/Corsley/Warminster
area between 1725 and 1745, so our William is likely to be one of the above.
 |
| Midsomer Norton Baptisms; Bottom Entry, 25 Dec 1734: Ann the daughter of Henry Gay shoemaker in Norton baptised |
GGGGGGM Ann Gay was baptised at Midsomer Norton,
Somerset (10 miles from Frome) on 25 December 1734 by father GGGGGGGP Henry Gay b1707,
shoemaker and his wife Hester Gay nee Short. Ann had at least four siblings Mary Gay b1732, Hester
Gay 1741, Henry Gay 1743 and Henry Gay 1749. Henry b1797 and Hester c1710 were married on 2 July 1724 at Midsomer Norton, Somerset.
 |
| Frome marriages 1762: William Knight of Corsley married Ann Guy of Frome St John on 13 Sep 1762 |
GGGGGGP William Knight of Corsley and Ann Guy 28 of Frome were
married in Frome on 13 Sep 1762 and moved four miles to Corsley to have their
family. They had at least nine children and
all except for the second Ruth were baptized in Corsley. Their children were William
Knight 27 Mar 1763, Ruth Knight 1764 (died on 18 Jan 1770), Ann Knight 16 Mar
1766, John Knight 13 Sep 1767, James Knight 9 Feb 1769 (died on 10 Jan 1770),
GGGGGM Ruth Knight b1770 (baptised 13 Jun in Frome), James Knight 8 Mar 1772,
Samuel Knight 22 Jan 1775 and Nancy Knight 20 Oct 1776.
 |
| Corsley Burials 1770: William Knight lost 2 children; James Knight 10 Jan 1770 & Ruth Knight 18 Jan 1770 |
Sadly two of William and Ann's children died at
Corsley within days of each other in 1770; James died on 10 Jan 1770 and Ruth
was buried 18 Jan 1770. After the death of Ruth b1764 the family briefly moved
back to Frome for the birth of their next daughter (also named Ruth, after her
recently deceased sister). Perhaps GGGGGGM Ann needed family support after the
loss of her first daughter, while she was pregnant in 1770. By 1772 they were
living back in Corsley, where they had their last three children.
William's wife, GGGGGGM Ann Knight nee Gay
b1734 died at the age of 58 and was buried on 3 Sep 1792 at Corsley. Her daughter GGGGGM Ruth Knight, who was in her
early twenties, was probably living in Corsley and caring for her at this time.
GGGGGGF William Knight's date of death is unknown, but there was a private
burial for William Knight in Frome on 12 Apr 1812. If this was our William he
would have been around 80 years old and was possibly living with one of his
children.
52. 1 Nine Children of William Knight (c1735-1812) & Ann Gay (1734-1792)
(All except GGGGGG Ruth baptised at Corsley)
 |
| The older sister of GGGGGM Ruth Knight also named Ruth was baptised in 1764 but died in 1770 |
Ruth's older sister (also named Ruth) was baptised in Corsley in 1764 by parents William and Ann Knight. The fact that her parents named their first daughter Ruth, and then when she died, named their next daughter with the same name, suggests that the name 'Ruth' was an important family name from the past.
The nine children of William and Ann Knight were:-
The nine children of William and Ann Knight were:-
- William Knight Baptised 27 Mar 1763 may have died as an infant in Mar 1763. Named after his father William c1735.
- Ruth Knight Baptised 1764. Died at the age of six on 18 Jan 1770. Possibly named after a grandmother
- Ann Knight Baptised 16 Mar 1766 Died at the age of 26 in Corsley 3 Sep 1792. Named after her mother.
- John Knight Baptised 13 Sep 1767 probably married Jane Thorne at Corsley on 11 Jun 1801. Both signed the registration. A witness at the wedding was unmarried sister Nancy Knight who also signed her name. Sadly John Knight, with a recorded age of 34, died and was buried at Warminster on 28 Jul 1801
- James Knight Baptised 9 Feb 1769. Died as an infant at Corsley on 10 Jan 1770.
- GGGGGM Ruth Knight Born 1770 and married James West in 1800. Brother Samuel was a witness to the wedding. (See 50.1 ) Ruth did not sign her name at her wedding, which is odd as all other members of her family seem to be literate! Ruth's own children were also illiterate.
- James Knight Baptised 8 Mar 1772. James, a bachelor, married Ann Allard from Frome, Somerset in 1802 at Corsley. He possibly met his wife whilst visiting his brother Samuel who had settled in Frome after his marriage in 1798. Witnesses were James Knight and Ann Knight (possibly a cousin and his wife). The two James Knights and Ann Knight signed their names. James a resident of Frome aged 64 was buried in Corsley in 1835. NB: Another James Knight was baptised in Corsley on 8 Sep 1782 by parents John and Betty Knight. He died in Corsley at the age of 58 in 1840.
- Samuel Knight Baptised 22 Jan 1775. Samuel married Dinah Holly in 1798 in Corsley. He was also a witness to at least two marriages in 1800 including sister Ruth's. A 'Samuel Knight' was also a witness to Ann Knight's (possibly his child) marriage to John Prince in Warminster in 1830. Samuel signed his name each time. After his marriage Samuel and Dinah moved to Frome, Somerset where they had a family and attended the Independent Church. Samuel Knight possibly in 1844 with his death registered in Warminster.
- Nancy Knight Baptised 20 Oct 1776. She witnessed brother John's wedding in 1801 but no more is known about her life.
52.2 GGGGGGGP Henry Gay (1707-?) & Hester Short (1702-?)
GGGGGGM Ann Gay was baptised at Midsomer Norton, Somerset (10 miles from Frome) on 25 December 1734 by parents GGGGGGGP Henry Gay b1707, shoemaker, and his wife Hester Gay nee Short.  |
| Midsomer Norton baptisms 1707 Middle Entry: Henry the son of John & Mary Gay 27 Dec |
 |
| Midsomer Norton Baptisms 1702: Hester the daughter of Charles & Hester Short baptised 23 May 1702 |
 |
| Midsomer Norton 1729 Marriages: Bottom Entry: Henry Gay married Hester Short July the 2nd |
 |
| Midsomer Norton Burials 1786: Bottom entry is either referring to GGGGGGGM Hester Gay or her daughter |
52.1 Another Knight Family from Corsley
The parentage of GGGGGGF William Knight is
somewhat uncertain, but there were many Knight families living in the
Corsely/Frome area in the early 1700's. One couple that stands out as having
possible links to GGGGGGF William Knight c1735 is William Knight (1701-1763?) &
Ruth Smith (1706-1753). (See Below) The evidence of a connection includes:-
- GGGGGGF William Knight born around 1735 in Corsley could be a son of the older William who was also born in Corsley in 1701 (but no record has been found).
- Two of GGGGGGF William Knight's c1735 daughters were named Ruth (not a common name), including his first daughter. They may have been named after Ruth Knight nee Smith (see below).
- Another possible, but unlikely theory, is that William c1735 and William b1701 were the same men. That is, William married twice and had two families over a long period. This would explain the lack of a reliable birth record for William b1735, but would mean that he was 75 when his second wife had her last baby. One document that contradicts this theory is the death registration for William Knight, widower in 1763 which is likely to be for William Knight b1701.
52.3 William Knight (1701-1763?) & Ruth Smith (1706-1753)
(Not Directly Related)
 |
| Corsley Baptisms 1701: William the son of Richard Knight baptised in Aug |
 |
| Ruth Smith was baptised on 12 Oct 1706 at Frome St John, Somerset. Her parents were John and Mary Smith. |
Ruth Smith was baptised on 12 Oct 1706 at Frome St John, Somerset, which was only 4 miles from Corsley and 8 miles from Warminster. Her parents were John and Mary Smith nee Parsons.
 |
| Warminster marriages 1728; bottom Entry: 23 Sep William Knight of Corsley & Ruth Smith of Frome |
 |
| Frome baptisms 1729 Bottom: 30 Jul 1729 John Knight son of William & Ruth Knight nee Smith |
 |
| Frome baptisms 1731 Bottom: 10 Feb 1731 Grace Knight daughter of William & Ruth Knight nee Smith |
The seven known children of William and Ruth Knight nee Smith baptised in Frome were:-
- John Knight 30 Jul 1729
- Grace Knight : 10 Feb 1731
- Betty Knight 12 Feb 1735
- James Knight on 8 Oct 1736
- Grace Knight 29 Sep 1739
- Stephen Knight Jan 1744
- James Knight Feb 1746
 |
| 1763 Burials Corsley Bottom two entries: Mar 4: William Knight widdow (sic) buried; Mar 30 Betty Knight buried |
There is a burial record in Corsley in Mar 1763 that can be interpreted in two different ways. It either says that William Knight widower was buried OR William Knight's widow was buried on this date. Usually widows were identified by the word 'widow' after their name (as in the top entry in this extract).
My interpretation is that, it refers to William Knight widower (his wife died ten years earlier) and is probably recording the death of William Knight b1701 at
the age of 62. The next burial was for Betty Knight (who was not listed as a child or as a widow), but was most likely William's adult (aged 18) unmarried daughter b1735. The fact that they died within weeks of each other suggests the cause may have been infectious disease.
52.4 John Smith (c1680-1729) & Mary Parsons (c1680-1720)
Parents of Ruth Smith above |
| Marriages, Frome, Somerset: 29 Apr 1702 John Smith (?-1729) and Mary Parsons |
There were eleven baptisms at Frome for
children of John and Mary Smith between their marriage date in 1702 and 1715
(listed below). As some of these baptisms occurred at close intervals, there
must have been another set of parents with the same names. Only some of these
children were siblings of Ruth.
- John Smith Mar 1703, 'son of John' buried Apr 1703
- Henry Smith Jun 1704, 'son of John' buried 26 Apr 1705
- John Smith Jun 1705
- Ruth Smith Nov 1706
- John Smith Jun 1707
- Henry Smith May 1709 'son of John' buried Mar 1723
- John Smith (at 7 years b1704), Mary Smith (at 3 years b1707) & Elizabeth Smith b1710. All baptised 2 Feb 1711 at Frome
- John Smith Mar 1714 'son of John' buried Mar 1714
- Robert Smith Jul 1714
 |
| Smith Siblings baptised at Frome Feb 1711: John Smith aged 7 years, Mary Smith aged 3 & a half years & Elizabeth Smith |
Three of the above Smith children were
baptised on the same date; 2 Feb 1711. However, John Smith b1704, Mary Smith b1707 and Elizabeth
Smith 1710 were all born in different years.
The parents must have overlooked the baptisms or perhaps this family arrived in
Frome from elsewhere and decided to carry out the baptisms in one ceremony.
Several of the children above died young.
Mary Smith nee Parsons listed as
'wife of John' died in Frome in 1720. John Smith probably died in Frome
in Feb 1729.
53.0 GGGGGGP James West (1753-1825) & Ann Axford (1751-1778)
 |
| St Denys, Warminster Baptisms, 2 Dec 1753: James son of James & Jane West (nee Hill) |
 |
| GGGGGGF James West b1753 married GGGGGGM Ann Axford at St Denys, Warminster on 11 Aug 1771 |
 |
| Burials St Denys, Warminster: 22 Feb 1772, James West, a child |
At least two of the siblings were baptised at St Denys, Warminster. James' mother GGGGGGM Ann West nee Axford seems to have died three years after the birth of Betty, which explains why there were no more siblings born. She may have died young as a result of complications with the birth of a fourth child.
 |
| Second Entry: Ann (West nee Axford) "wife of James West" was buried on 8 Mar 1778 at St Denys, Warminster |
 |
| Possible burial of James West at Handley on 17 Apr 1825 |
53.1 Elizabeth (Betty) West (1775-1848)
(Daughter of GGGGGGP James & Ann West nee Axford)
 |
| Betty West was baptised 26 Feb 1775 by parents James & Ann West nee Axford. |
NOTE: There was another Betty West baptised by James and Martha West later that year in Oct.
Betty West possibly married John Criddle in St Denys in 1807. However this is unlikely, as this Betty West signed the marriage registration. Her older brother was unable to sign his name at his own wedding (see above), which suggests our Betty's family were illiterate.
 |
| 1841 Census Warminster: Elizabeth West 66 was living with Hannah Crook 75 in Boreham Heytesbury Rd, Warminster |
54.0 GGGGGGGP James West (1722-1775) & Jane/Joan Hill (c1722-1756)
Early Life
There is a Warminster baptism record listing the parents of GGGGGF James West b1753 as GGGGGGP James West (b1722) and 'Jane' Hill (see 53.0).
There is a Warminster baptism record listing the parents of GGGGGF James West b1753 as GGGGGGP James West (b1722) and 'Jane' Hill (see 53.0).
 |
| Corsley Parish "James West of Warminster married 'Joan' Hill of the parish of Norton 2 Feb 1743 |
A Corsley marriage record, dated 2 Feb 1743, lists the marriage of James West (b1722) of Warminster to 'Joan' Hill of Norton (just two miles apart). Corsley is less than four miles from Warminster. Although this marriage record lists James West's wife as 'Joan', this may be an error on the part of the minister. Another record lists James' wife as 'Jean' so there seems to be some uncertainty regarding her Christian name. The minister may have misheard or mispelled her name (not uncommon). In actual fact her name was most likely Jane, and she was probably born in the Parish of Norton in the early 1720's.
 |
| "A copy out of the Register Book of Corsley ...Christenings for the year ...1722.. James son of John West baptised April 22" |
Taking all the above into account it seems that GGGGGGGF James West b1722 was born to John West and his unknown wife in 1722 in Corsley. At some stage James moved four miles to Warminster and whilst living there he met Jane Hill, who lived close by in Norton, and they were married in Corsley in 1743.
 |
| Corsley Baptisms: Luce (Lucy) daughter of John West was baptised 14 July 1717. |
 |
| Corsley Baptisms: Betty Daughter of John West 18 February 1736 |
Married Life
At the age of 21 James West b1722 met and courted GGGGGGGM Jane Hill from Norton Bavant. They were married at Corsley in 1743. The only baptism records relating to James and Jane West start around 1750 with the birth of son John who died as a child in Corsley. James and Jane West nee Hill were possibly living with or caring for James' b1722 father and grandfather (both named John).
1750/1751 was a bad time for the West family. The Corsley burial record lists four members of that family dying within months of each other. We know that James West b1722 was born and married in Corsley.
 |
| Corsley Burials 1750: Betty West was buried 21 Oct. 1750 & John son of James West was buried 13 Oct 1750 |
 |
| John West Senior was buried 13 Jan 1751 |
 |
| John West Junior was buried 12 May 1751 |
After the death of James' parents, GGGGGGGP James and Jane West nee Hill may have moved between Warminster and Corsley (a few miles apart) where more children were born.
GGGGGGGP James and Jane West nee Hill had at least one son GGGGGGF James West, born in Warminster in Dec 1753, but may have also had the following children John West c1750 (named after James' c1700 father) and died 1750 (see above) and Robert West baptised in nearby Corsley in Jan 1755
GGGGGGGM Jane West nee Hill b1722, may have died in 1756 and was buried in Warminster on 11 Aug 1756. Her early death at the age of 34, may have been as a result of the birth of an another unknown child.
GGGGGGGP James West b1722 possibly died in Warminster in 1775 aged 52.
 |
| Warminster burials: James West 8 Apr 1775 |
54.1 GGGGGGGGP John West (c1695-1751) & Mary Unknown
It seems that GGGGGGGF James West b1722 was born to John West c1695 and his unknown wife in 1722 in Corsley. James' parents were probably married in the decade prior to his birth, which means they would have been born in the late 1600's.
 |
| Westbury Baptisms (4 miles from Warminster) "John son of John and Mary West the 21 May 1739" |
John West's c1695 wife may have been named Mary because there is a baptism record listing a possible brother to GGGGGGGGF James West b1722 as John West baptised by John and Mary West in Westbury in 1739.
55.0 Axford Line to 10xGP William Axford (1590-?) & Mary
Crumpton (1617-?)
(NB. As with any records going back this far there is a high
possibility of errors.)
 |
| Middle Entry: Ann Daughter of William Axford was baptised 30 Oct 1751 at Market Lavington. Mother unknown. |
Ann Axford b1751 was baptised 30 Oct 1751 at Market Lavington. She was the daughter of GGGGGGGF William Axford and Ann Young. William Axford's ancestral line is outlined below.
GGGGGGM Ann Axford married James West b1753 on 11 Aug 1771 at Warminster. (See above) At the time of her marriage Ann was described as being "of the Warminster Parish" so at some stage she must have moved 13 miles to that area. James and Ann West nee Axford had two children before Ann died at Warminster in 1778 aged 27. (See above)
55.1 GGGGGGGP William Axford (1717-?) & Ann Young (c1720-?)
GGGGGGGF William Axford was baptised on 12 May 1717 at St Denys, Warminster by parents John and Joan Axford nee Townsend. He appears to have had six siblings; all born in Warminster.
 |
| Warminster baptisms 1722: Mar 1st Ann Daughter of Christopher & Sarah Young |
 |
| William Axford & Ann Young, both of this Parish were married on 7 Oct 1741 at St Denys, Warminster. |
At the age of 24 GGGGGGGF William Axford married Ann Young 19 on 7 Oct 1741 at St Denys, Warminster. They were both "of this parish".
 |
| Warminster Baptisms 1744 Top Entry: Jan 30, Ann Daughter of William & Ann Axford |
 |
| Baptisms Market Lavington Jan 1749: "James Son of William Axford of Gore, Feb 9." |
Within the next few years, the family moved 10 miles to Gore, near Market Lavington, where two more children were born; James Axford 1749 and GGGGGGM Ann
Axford (baptised on 30 Oct 1751). The baptism record for son James, names his father's residence as the hamlet of Gore Cross, which is less than 3 miles south of Lavington (and about ten from Warminster). The fact that the record mentions William's origins suggests he had only recently moved to Gore.
 |
| Market Lavington 1746: Mr John Axford of the Parish of All Saints Bristol & Mrs Jane Merewether were married Apr 24 |
There was another 'Axford' family (husband named John Axford) living in Lavington at this time. His wife was Jane Axford nee Merewether. Their children included Grace Axford 1746, Henry Axford 1748, John Merewether Axford 1749 and Sarah Axford 1751.
Another Willliam Axford (1719-1762) and his wife Jane lived in Lttle Cheverell. A son 'Eliorah' Axford was buried in 1755. They baptised George Axford in 1756. The mother of this family, Jane Axford, was buried at Lavington in 1758. William Axford and another son John both died in 1762.
Another Willliam Axford (1719-1762) and his wife Jane lived in Lttle Cheverell. A son 'Eliorah' Axford was buried in 1755. They baptised George Axford in 1756. The mother of this family, Jane Axford, was buried at Lavington in 1758. William Axford and another son John both died in 1762.
55.2 GGGGGGGGP John Axford (1691-1741) & Joan Townsend (1686-1741)
 | ||
3rd line: John Axford son of Edward Axford was baptised at St Denys, Warminster 1 Dec 1691. Mother not listed
GGGGGGGGF
John Axford was baptised on 1 Dec 1791 and his future wife Joan Townsend
was
baptised in the same church a few years earlier on 24 Sep 1786. They would have
known each other all their lives, and married in their early 20's.
GGGGGGGGM Joan Townsend was born on 24 Sep 1686 and was the daughter of William Townsend and his wife.
|
 |
| 3rd line: John Axford married Joan Townsend on 30 Aug 1711 at St Denys, Warminster. |
John
Axford 20 married Joan Townsend 25 at St Denys in Warminster on 30 Aug 1711. GGGGGGGGP
John and Joan Axford nee Townsend appear to have had six children; Edward
Axford b1712, bur 1713, Edward Axford b1714, GGGGGGGF William Axford b1717, Walter Axford b1719,
Mary Axford b1722 and Betty Axford b1725. All were born in Warminster; the last when Joan was 39.
 |
| Warminster Burials 1713 3rd Entry: "May 19 Edward Son of John Axford was buried in Woollen only" |
NOTE: Son Edward's burial registration at Warminster 19 May 1713 reads; "Edward son of John Axford buried in Woollen only". The next burial entry; for Elizabeth Townsend (daughter of Ann Townsend), is possibly a relative of Joan Townsend. All burials in Warminster during this period were listed as "in Woollen only". Subsequent
to the 'Burial in Wool Acts 1667 and 1678 all bodies were to be buried in wool
only, unless they had died from the Plague and an affidavit sworn accordingly.
The penalty for not doing so was £5. These were repealed in 1814.
 |
| Warminster Burials Oct 1741: John Axford buried 11th Oct & Joan wife of John Axford buried 13th Oct |
GGGGGGGGM John and Joan Axford nee Townsend seem to have died in their fifties in the same year, with their burials at Warminster just days apart. However, the fact that they were buried in different graves may indicate that this 'John' was from a different family. Another burial for a John Axford occured in Warminister on 30 Jan 1755. If this was our John he was 64 at the time of his death.
55.3 GGGGGGGGGP William Townsend & Unknown
GGGGGGGGM Joan Townsend was the daughter of GGGGGGGGF William Townsend c1640 and his unknown wife.
 |
| St Denys, Warminster, Marriages Bottom Entry: 1665 Apr 2 William Townsend and Mary Townsend |
There are two Warminster marriage records relating to a 'William Townsend'. The first is of a marriage with Mary Townsend on 2 Apr 1865 and the second with Susannah Hubel on 20 Apr 1674. Possible children born to William Townsend in Warminster were Elizabeth Townsend 1667, Mary Townsend b1670, Elizabeth Townsend b1677, Bridget and William Townsend both baptised in 1679, George and Jane Townsend both baptised in 1682, GGGGGGGGM Joan Townsend 21 Sep 1686, Frances Townsend 1695, Mary Townsend b1696 and Elizabeth Townsend 1700. As some of these are multiple baptisms in the same year (but different days), and the fact that the births covered a period of 35 years suggests that they are the children of two different families, where the father was named William Townsend.
It would seem that the earlier births were the children of William and Mary and the latter births the children of William and Susannah. GGGGGGGGM Joan Townsend may have been the daughter of either of the two William Townsends.
It would seem that the earlier births were the children of William and Mary and the latter births the children of William and Susannah. GGGGGGGGM Joan Townsend may have been the daughter of either of the two William Townsends.
55.4 GGGGGGGGGP Edward Axford (1656-1716) & Mary Dodymeade (1655-1723)
GGGGGGGGF John
Axford’s father was GGGGGGGGGP
Edward Axford who was baptised on 9 May 1656 at Warminster (see below) by parents William and Mary Axford nee Dodymead.
 |
| Bottom: Edward Axford son of William Axford baptised 9 May 1656 at Warminster |
 |
| 3rd Entry: Mary Doddemeade daughter of Lawrence Doddemeade baptised 9 June 1655. (spelling of surname varies) |
GGGGGGGGGP Edward Axford and Mary Dodymede were married on 5 May 1678
at St Denys, Warminster.
 |
| Top: Edward Axford married Mary Dodimede 5 May 1678 at St Denys, Warminster |
Eight children, all born in Warminster are known. The first born was Elinor Axford
who was baptised on 9 Feb 1679 at Warminster and married Edward Mortimer in 1699.
Eleanor died in 1743 at Warminster. Other siblings were William Axford b16 Feb 1780 (married Rachel Lombard 1702), Edward Axford b23 Mar 1682 (married Sibbel Burgman 1703, but died in 1708), John Axford b2 Feb 1685, buried at age one on 16 Jan 1686, Elizabeth Axford b1687 (married Thomas Rogers of Maiden Bradley 1721), GGGGGGGGF John Axford b1691 (See chapter above), Mary Axford b5 Sep 1695, (Mary daughter of Edward) died at age of four in Nov 1699, Honour Axford b1699, but died at the age of 34 and was buried in 1733. The last child was born when Mary Axford nee Dodemede was 44.
 |
| Warminster Burials 18 Nov 1716: Edward Axford was buried in Woollen only (in a woollen shroud) |
55.5 GGGGGGGGGGF William Axford (1618-1659) & Elizabeth Unknown (c1620-1656)
(Updated July 2019)
GGGGGGGGGF Edward Axford’s father was GGGGGGGGGGF William Axford who was baptised on 9 Aug 1618 at Warminster.
 |
| Middle: William Axford son of William Axford baptised on 9 Aug 1618 at St Denys |
William Axford b1618 married an unknown woman named Elizabeth around 1645 and their only known children were Christopher Axford 1650, John Axford 1653, GGGGGGGGGF Edward Axford b1656 and Frances Axford 1658 (daughter of William Axford), died 1690. The latter child may be from a different wife, as William's first wife Elizabeth died in 1656.
 |
| Warminster Burials 1656: 16 Jul William Axford snr; 4 Oct John, son of William; 28 Oct Elizabeth, wife of William Axford |
1656 was a bad year for the Axford family with three members dying within a period of months. First to die was William Axford senior (probably William b1590) on 16 Jul. Then in October, William's son John died on 4 Oct, and on 28 Oct William's wife GGGGGGGGGGM Elizabeth Axford nee Unknown died.
GGGGGGGGGGF William Axford was in his thirties when he died. He was buried on 9 Feb 1659 at Warminster.
GGGGGGGGGGF William Axford was in his thirties when he died. He was buried on 9 Feb 1659 at Warminster.
55.6 GGGGGGGGGGGF William Axford (1586-1656) & Mary Crumpton (c1595-1626)
GGGGGGGGGGF
William Axford’s father was also named William. He was GGGGGGGGGGGF
William Axford who was baptised around 1590 in the Warminster area; possibly 6 miles away in Bratton in 1586.
 |
| Middle: William Axford married Mary Crumpton on 15 Sep 1617 at St Denys, Warminster |
 |
| Warminster Burials 1626: 7 Oct 31 Mary Axford wife of William Axford |
GGGGGGGGGGF William Axford died in his sixties and was buried at Warminster on 16 Jul.1656. A grandson and daughter-in-law died during the next few months (see above)
56.0 Dodymead line to GGGGGGGGGGGF Jerome Dodimead (1594-?)
The name Dodymead was also spelt Dodimede. GGGGGGGGGM Mary Dodimead b1655
married Edward Axford in 1678
(See 51.3).
 | ||
| Bottom: Lawrence Dodimede son of Jerome Dodimede baptised 2 Mar 1630 at St Denys, Warminster |
56.1 GGGGGGGGGGP Lawrence Dodimead (1630-1685) & Mary Tragg (c1631-?)
Mary Dodimead's parents were GGGGGGGGGGP
Lawrence Dodimead who was baptised on 3 Feb 1630 at Warminster and Mary Tragg who was born around
1631 in the Warminster region.
 |
| "The intended marriage between Lawrence Dodimead & Mary Tragg was solemnised before John Ridout" 4 Sep 1654 |
Lawrence and Mary declared their intention to marry on 4 Sep 1654 at St Denys Church,
Warminster. Their five children were GGGGGGGGGM
Mary Dodimead b1655 (see above), Walter Dodimead b1656, Giles Dodimead
b1658, William Dodimead b1661, John Dodimede b18 Aug 1667 and Joan Dodimead b12 Jan 1669. All children
were born at Warminster.
Son Giles Dodimead ("son of Lawrence") died at the age of ten and was buried in Warminster on 29 Aug 1668.
Son Giles Dodimead ("son of Lawrence") died at the age of ten and was buried in Warminster on 29 Aug 1668.
 |
| Warminster Burials, Bottom Entry; Lawrence Dodimead, (paup)er 29 Mar 1685. |
56.2 GGGGGGGGGGGF Jerome Dodimead (c1594-1662) & Joan Unknown
Lawrence Dodimead’s father was GGGGGGGGGGGF Jerome Dodimead. GGGGGGGGGGGF Jerome Dodimead was born around 1594 at Warminster, soon after his own parent's marriage. His parents, GGGGGGGGGGGGP William Dodimead and Alice Johnson, were married at Warminster on 3 Apr 1592.
Jerome married Joan Unknown around 1620; probably in the Warminster region. Jerome and Joan had the following children Giles Dodimead 29 Jul 1620, Elizabeth Dodimead 1622, Walter Dodimead 12 Dec 1626 (died 1654) and Lawrence Dodmead 1630.
 | ||
| Warminster burials 1655; Bottom Entry: September 4; Joan Dodimeade wife of Jerome Dodimead.
GGGGGGGGGGGM Joan Dodimead nee Unknown was buried on 14 Sep 1655 at St Denys, Warminster.
|
 |
| Warminster Marriages; Bottom Entry: 1592 Apr 3, William Dodimead & Alice Johnson vidna (widow) married
GGGGGGGGGGGGP William Dodimead and Alice Johnson were married at Warminster on 3 Apr 1592. Alice Johnson had been married previously, because the marriage registration lists her as a widow (vidna), so her maiden name is unknown. William and Alice had one known child named GGGGGGGGGGGF Jerome Dodimead, soon after their marriage.
|
57.0 -59.0 Reserved for Future Use
PART 6: SELWOOD FAMILY TREE
The Selwood family joined our family tree when GGGM Elizabeth Selwood married James White in 1856. (See 41.0
for more information about their married lives). The Selwood (also known as
Selwood or Silwood) family were residents of the Bowerchalke area of Wiltshire,
just across the border (four miles from Handley) with Dorset. The Selwood family tree is linked to the Chant Tree and is viewable below.
60.0 GGGGP William Selwood (1804-1868) & Caroline Hobbs (1808-1881)
GGGM Elizabeth Selwood was born in 1833 in Bowerchalke Wiltshire to GGGGP William Selwood and Caroline Hobbs. William was born in Fifield, Wiltshire in 1804. In 1814 when he was only 10 his mother died.
GGGM Elizabeth Selwood was born in 1833 in Bowerchalke Wiltshire to GGGGP William Selwood and Caroline Hobbs. William was born in Fifield, Wiltshire in 1804. In 1814 when he was only 10 his mother died.
 |
| William Selwood of the parish of Alveston, Wiltshire married Caroline Hobbs of the parish of Nunney in 1825 |
On 9 Dec 1825 William married Caroline Hobbs at
All Saints Church, Nunney, Somerset, which was about 30 miles from his residence in Avediston The wedding was witnessed by Joseph Hobbs;
possibly Caroline’s stepbrother b1789 (See ). The marriage registration lists William's residence as Alveston; a misspelling of Alvediston, Wiltshire, which is just 3 miles from William's birth place at Fifield. Neither William nor Caroline signed their names.
 |
| Baptism Record for Caroline Hobbs, Nunney, Somerset |
After their wedding William
and Caroline settled in Bowerchalke to have a family. Between 1827 and
1839 at Bowerchalke, Caroline
gave birth to six children.
 |
| 1841 census: William & Caroline's family were spread over two pages |
The 1841 census records that the family was living
at Woodminton Farm, Bowerchalke and consisted of William Selwood 38 ag lab, Caroline Selwood 33, Drusilla Selwood 14, Martha Selwood 12,
Mary Selwood 10, GGGM Elizabeth
Selwood 7, Thomas Selwood 4 and Shadrach Selwood 1. Woodminton Farm
still operates as a livestock farm today and has diversified into offering
camping experiences to tourists.
 |
| 1851 Census: again spread over 2 pages. The note added to Fanny's entry (2nd from bottom) reads "Deaf & Dumb" |
Three more children arrived in the next decade between 1843
and 1849. In 1847 William’s
father GGGGGF George Selwood
died at Bowerchalke aged 72. In 1851 the family was living at 33 Church St. Bowerchalke.
(This could be the same house, as it is very close to Woodminton Farm and most
of the family were employed on the farm). At that time the residents were William Selwood 47 ag lab and
‘farm carter’, Caroline Selwood nee
Hobbs 43 ag lab, Martha Selwood 21 ag lab, Mary Ann Selwood 17 ag lab,
Thomas Selwood 14 plough boy, Shadrack Selwood 10 plough boy, John Selwood 10 scholar, Fanny Selwood 6 (“deaf & dumb
from birth”) and James Selwood 2. Luckily, by this date, the four oldest
children, including GGGM Elizabeth
Selwood 17, had left home or the house would have been bursting at the
seams. Elizabeth was living and working at a nearby farm.
 |
| In 1861 the family were living at "The Marsh". |
By 1861 the family had moved about 9 miles to 'The Marsh',
which is closer to Salisbury and more of the children had left home. Now there
were William Selwood 55 ag lab and carter, Caroline Selwood 53, Shadrack
Selwood 20 ag lab, Fanny Selwood 16 (deaf) and James Selwood 12 sharing the
house.
 |
| 1871: Caroline Selwood nee Hobbs worked as a farm servant & lived with her disabled daughter & nephew Enoch Read. |
In 1871 she had a job as a servant on a local farm owned by
William Coombs 66, whilst still living in her own home in the main road at
Bowerchalke with adult disabled (deaf) daughter Fanny Selwood 26. In addition, Caroline took in a nephew as a
lodger, Enoch Read 30 b1842 to help increase their income. This is one of the
many examples of how extended families helped each other out and looked after
one another. Enoch Read was the son of Caroline’s
sister-in-law Elizabeth Read nee Selwood b1812 and John Read b1801. (See 58.1)
 |
| 1881 Census |
Later that year on 3 Dec 1881, GGGGM Caroline Selwood nee Hobbs, widow of William Selwood, carter, died from "long standing bronchitis" at Bowerchalke, aged 77. Daughter Mary Ann Francis nee Selwood witnessed the death certificate. (See 55.3).
60.1 Bowerchalke and Broad Chalke
Most of our Sellwood ancestors were born in either the parish of Broad Chalke or the parish of Bowerchalke, and some lived their whole lives in this area. These two hamlets, about two miles apart, in the south of Wiltshire share much in common, including their chalk soils, their agricultural background, a common intertwined history and in the past each of their names have been written as one word or two words. The agricultural depression of the late 1820s which remained into the mid-1830s hit this area particularly hard, making thousands of agricultural labourers jobless and without a steady income. (http://thedowntonstory.com/ )
60.2 Broad Chalke
In 955 AD Wilton Abbey was granted an estate called Chalke; this included land in Broad Chalke and Bower Chalke. The parish of Broad Chalke is nearly all chalk downland with the river Ebble flowing eastwards through the village and parish. The 'Broad' element of the name in means 'Great' and was probably used to distinguish Broad Chalke from Bower Chalke when the two villages were named separately. The two communities seem to have become divided into separate estates by 1327. By the 1400s the village was known as Brodechalke.19th century population figures show that Broad Chalke was approximately 30-50% larger than Bowerchalke. It reached its peak of 821 in 1851 and by 2001 there were 652 people in the parish.
By 1900 most of the village men were working on the farms. Wages were around 8 shillings (40p) a week and living conditions were poor. Many families kept a pig or two to help feed them all.
The Sellwood and Chant branches of our family tree originated from the farming area in the south of Wiltshire, mainly living in or near the hamlets of Bowerchalke and Broad Chalke.
60.3 Bowerchalke
Bowerchalke is about 1 mile from the county boundary with
Dorset and 2 miles from that with Hampshire. The parish includes the hamlets of
Mead End, Misselfore and Woodminton. Some of the land in the Bowerchalke parish
was annexed from Fifield Bavant in 1885.The name Bowerchalke was given to that
part of the original estate belonging to Wilton Abbey, where lands were in
'bower hold tenure'. There were four manors and other estates in Bower Chalke.
An estate in Woodminton was owned by the Chalke family, who held it until
c.1756. It then changed hands numerous times until it was absorbed by
Woodminton Farm in 1929.
Almost all the men in the village were employed in
agriculture or an associated trade. The censuses show that from 1851 through to
1901 the situation did not change. There were seven farms of 100 acres or more.
In the early 20th century there were four farms of 450-550 acres. Some farms
had dairies or kept sheep, but they were mainly arable, as they are today. The
first national census was taken in 1801 and the figures for Bower Chalke show
that this was a stable community, each succeeding decade showing only a small
change in numbers.
A well-known villager was the poacher Harry Goode. The
baptism of Henry (known as Harry) Goode in 1694 is the earliest surviving
parish register entry. As a young man, Harry was a notorious deer hunter and
his activities are described in the book 'Anecdotes and History of Cranborne
Chase' by William Chafin. The woodland known as Vernditch in Broad Chalke was
part of Cranborne Chase. In the 18th century Forest Law was still very strict.
The deer and the land on which they lived were both protected and the penalties
for poaching were severe. However, this protection was resented by both land
owners and farmers, and there were plenty of men willing to take the risk.
61.0 Nine children of GGGGP William Selwood (1804-1868) & Caroline
Hobbs (1808-1881)
All of the children of GGGGP
William Selwood (1804-1868) & Caroline
Hobbs (1808-1881) were baptised at Bowerchalke. The two youngest sons joined the armed forces in their late teens which may indicate that other employment opportunities were not available. William and Caroline had at least 38 grandchildren.
61.1 Drusilla Selwood (1827-1907)
Drusilla was baptised in 1827 Bowerchalke. In 1841 she was
living with her parents and working as an agricultural labourer on Woodminton
Farm. On 26 Dec 1847 when Drusilla, a 20 year old labourer, married George
Burton, agricultural labourer, who had been living in Quidham St., Bowerchalke
with his parents. Neither Drusilla nor George could sign their names. The fathers were listed as William Selwood and George Burton (snr). Witnesses were George's siblings; John and Fanny Burton
Drusilla and George made their marital home in Quidham St and Drusilla had a
daughter named Elizabeth in 1849.
 |
| Drusilla Selwood marrtied George Burton on 26 Dec 1847 at Bowerchalke |
 |
| Quidham St, Bowerchalke. Photo taken by Chris Downer |
In 1851 the family consisted of George Burton
28 carter, Drusilla Burton 23 and Elizabeth Burton 2.
 |
| 1861 Census: George, Drusilla & Elizabeth Burton living in Quidham St (spelt Queenham St in census) |
In 1861 they were still living
in Quidham St., Bowerchalke and the family members were the same; George Burton
37 carter (horse & cart), Drusilla Burton nee Selwood 33 and daughter Elizabeth Burton 12.
 |
| In 1871 the Burtons & Selwoods occupied a fair portion of Quidham St |
 |
| 1881 Census: George & Drusilla Burton nee Selwood with grandson George E Dimmer |
By 1881 the family had moved half a mile to Woodminton Farm
(most likely for employment opportunities), which is where Drusilla had lived
with her parents as a child. Family members recorded as living in their house
were George Burton 57, carter, Drusilla Burton 53 and grandson George Dimmer 7.
Also living on the farm was George’s sister-in-law Kezia Burton who was now
widowed with three children under 14 years of age.
 |
| 1891 Census: George & Drusilla Burton nee Selwood. Top: Also in Mead End were George & Mary Scammell (a cousin) |
George 67, carter (horse and cart) and Drusilla 64 had moved
again (about 2 miles) by 1891 to Mead End. Living with them was grandson George E Dimmer who was a horse and cart driver (probably working with his
grandfather) and Robert Elliott, boarder. George 78 and Drusilla 74 were still
living at Mead End in 1901 and as there were no occupations listed, they had
probably 'retired' by then. Next door was their grandson George Dimmer who had
married and had two children. He was carrying on the horse and cart transport
business started by his grandfather. George Burton died around Apr 1901 (soon after the census) and Drusilla
Burton nee Selwood died six years later in 1907. The burial record is very detailed and includes the following information. Drusilla, widow of George Burton died on Thursday, 8 Mar 1907 at 7:55pm at her residence at no. 7 Mead End Cottages. She was buried in the cemetery of 'The Most Holy Trinity' in Bowerchalke at 3pm on Monday 11 Mar 1907. She was 80 years old and the cause of death was listed as "infirmities of old age".
61.1a Elizabeth Burton (1849-1915)
George and Drusilla Burton’s only child, who survived to
adulthood, was Elizabeth Burton (born in 1849). She married James Dimmer on 26 Dec 1872 (EMI) and had one child b1874, who was named George Edward Burton after his grandfather.
Sadly Elizabeth’s husband, James died after just three years of marriage in
1875. The following year Elizabeth Dimmer nee Burton married William Henry
Lawrence and over the next four years Elizabeth had three more children.
It appears that for some reason Elizabeth’s first son, George, did not get on with his stepfather, because from at least 1881 (from the
age of 7) onwards, George Dimmer lived with his grandparents; GGGGP William Selwood (1804-1868) & Caroline Hobbs (1808-1881).
 |
| 1881 Census: Elizabeth Burton, 2nd husband William Henry Lawrence & two of their children living near Woodminton |
61.2 Martha Selwood (1829-1896)
Martha was born on 18 Oct1829 and baptised at Bowerchalke 25
Dec 1829. She lived with her parents until she was 22. In 1851 she gave her
occupation as agricultural labourer and was probably employed, along with most
of her family on Woodminton Farm, Bowerchalke.
On 21 June 1851 Martha married William Charles Turner, labourer. She
must have been in an advanced stage of pregnancy because she gave birth to
daughter Eliza a few months later. Sister Mary Ann Selwood was one of the witnesses at the wedding. William Turner signed his name, but both of the Selwood sisters made their mark.
 |
| William Charles Turner married Martha Selwood 21 June 1851 at Bowerchalke |
Daughter Eliza Turner was baptised at Bowerchalke on 17 Aug 1851. Martha had three more children in the 1850’s, who were George Turner 1853 ag lab, Emma Turner 1855 and Edwin Turner 1857, and as they were all born in Berwick St John, the family must have moved there by 1853. In 1861 the family were living at Staplesfoot Lodge (about 3 miles from Bowerchalke and 3 miles from Berwick St John) and consisted of William C Turner 29 ag lab, Martha Turner 31, George Turner 8, Emma Turner 6 and Edwin Turner 4. Their eldest daughter Eliza Turner 9 was staying with her grandparents in Sixpenny Handley at the time of the census.
By 1871 George and Martha had moved 30 miles to 9 Eastfield
Rd, South Stoneham, Southampton. Living there at the time were William Turner
39 labourer, Martha Turner 41, Eliza Turner 19, Edwin Turner 14 carpenter’s boy
and William’s mother Elizabeth Turner 69 charwoman.
There was no census record for 1881, but in 1891 William C
Turner 58 gardener, Martha Turner 61 and daughter Eliza Turner 39, unmarried
domestic servant, were still living in Eastfield Rd., South Stoneham. Martha Turner nee Selwood aged 67 died in 1896 and William Charles
Turner died in 1901 at Southampton.
As for Martha and William’s unmarried daughter Eliza Turner,
she became a ‘monthly nurse’ (an early form of midwife, who cared for a mother
before, during and after the birth of her baby) and was living with the Evans
family in Bournemouth in 1901.
61.3 Mary Ann Selwood (1831-1892)
Mary Ann was baptised in 1831 at Bowerchalke. She lived from
1841-1851 with her parents, and was working as an agricultural labourer at the
age of 17.
On 12 July 1856 Mary Anne married Eli Francis at
Bowerchalke, and then moved 4 miles to his home town of Alvediston, Wiltshire.
Neither party signed the registration. By the time of the 1861 census the family consisted of Eli Francis 33 farm
labourer, Mary A Francis 28, Aurelia Francis 2 and John Francis 1. Over the
next decade Mary Ann had four more children Elizabeth Francis 1863, Samuel
Francis 1866, William Francis 1869 and George Francis 1871. All children were
born in Alvediston.
In April 1871 the family was made up of Eli Francis 46 ag
lab, Mary A Francis 38, Aurelia Francis 12 scholar, John Francis 10 ag lab,
Elizabeth Francis 8 scholar, Samuel Francis 5 and William Francis 2. Sadly young son William Francis died at the age of 3 in 1872. In 1881
Mary Anne was a witness on her mother’s (GGGGM
Caroline Selwood nee Hobbs) death certificate and in 1885 she had to
come to terms with the death of her husband Eli aged 60.
 |
| 1891 Census: Mary Ann Francis nee Selwood is living with her son-in-law & daughter & family in a 3 roomed house |
Mary Ann Francis nee Selwood must have found living alone difficult (probably for
health reasons), because in 1891 she was living with her daughter Elizabeth and
her family in Alvediston. The large household consisted of Frank Moxham 29,
Elizabeth Moxham 28 nee Francis, Bertram W J Moxham 1, Mary A Francis nee
Selwood 59, and two of her sons Samuel Francis 25 and George E Francis 19 as well
as Emma K Francis 13 niece and Winifred Upward 2 visitor. The property was called "Twenty Acres", but the large family only occupied three rooms according to the census. Mary Ann Francis nee
Selwood died the following year in 1892 at Tisbury aged 61.
61.4 GGGM Elizabeth Selwood (1833-1888)
Elizabeth
was baptised on 5 Dec 1833 at Bowerchalke Wiltshire. In 1841 she was living at
Woodminton Farm with her parents and other siblings.
By 1851 at the age of 18
she had moved out of home to work as a servant for the Humby family at
Minchington (about eight miles from home). The Humbys managed a farm of 500 acres and employed 20 labourers. Whilst living at Minchington she
would have visited the local town of Sixpenny Handley (only 4 miles away) and
it was there sometime in the next few years, that she met GGGF James White 20 who was
living with his parents in Handley St.
GGGM Elizabeth
Selwood joined the family tree when she married James White five years later in 1856. They had seven
children including GGM Ann Marie
White. (See 41.0 for more details of their married life).
 |
| 1851: Elizabeth had moved out of home & was working as a servant on the 500 acre Minchington Farm |
61.5 Thomas Selwood (1836-1909)
Thomas was baptised in 1836 in Bowerchalke and lived with
his parents until 1857, when he married Martha Loader 20 [the daughter of John
Loader b1789 (possibly distantly related to our Loaders) and Martha Hayward]. Neither signed their names.
 |
| Thomas Selwood married Martha Loader 26 Dec 1857 at Broad Chalke |
 |
| 1871 census: Thomas & marth Selwood & 5 children living at Stoke, near Broad Chalke |
In the 1870’s Martha gave birth to three more children; Elizabeth 1873, Edgar 1874 and Shadrick 1875. As these three children are not mentioned in the next census, they probably died soon after birth, however there is only a death record for Edgar. These frequent pregnancies and deaths must have taken a physical and emotional toll on Martha. In late 1875 (not long after the birth of Shadrack), Thomas’ wife Martha Selwood nee Loader died, aged only 38. Thomas’ daughter Caroline married Frederick Smith on 8 Nov 1880 at Broad Chalke.
 |
| 1881 Census: Tom (Thomas) Selwood was living with his children Ann, Frank & Mary Selwood at Stoke |
In 1881 widower 'Tom' Selwood 44 ag lab was still in
Stoke, Broad Chalke (the census listed them at ‘Down Cottages’) with three of
his children: Ann Selwood 23 housekeeper, Frank Selwood 14 ag lab and Mary J.
Selwood 10 scholar. No doubt the responsibility of looking after the two younger
boys fell on daughter Ann’s shoulders.
Within the next decade the family moved 7 miles to the
village of Odstock on the outskirts of Salisbury, and the 1891 census listed
Tom Selwood 52 widowed carter ("horse & cart"), Frank Selwood 22
carter, Mary Selwood 20, Ann Church nee Selwood
32 widowed nurse and Herbert Selwood 4 grandson (probably son of William
Selwood b1860). The family was still in Odstock in 1901 and Tom 60 was still
working as a carter on a farm. He was living with his son Frank Selwood 29,
unmarried and also a carter and granddaughter Winifred A Smith 18 (daughter of
Caroline). In 1909 at the age of 73 Thomas Selwood died in Odstock.
61.6 Shadrack Selwood (1839-1916)
Shadrack was born in 1839 and baptised on 11 Oct 1840 at Bowerchalke. He
lived with his parents and was listed as a carter in 1861 when the family were living at The Marsh, Broad Chalke.
Later that year on the 3 Aug 1861 Shadrack married Emily Wyatt 22. There is some confusion about Emily’s maiden
name. Although the marriage registration lists her name as ‘Wyatt’, it is
listed as ‘Witt’ on census documents prior to this. Interestingly her mother’s
maiden name was actually ‘Wyatt’ and her father’s surname was ‘Witt’. This may
have been the source of the confusion. Emily had lived all her early life in
North St, Broad Chalke, just a few doors down from where Shadrack’s brother,
Thomas Selwood and his family were living in 1861. Possibly Shadrack met Emily
on a visit to his brother’s house.
 |
| Shadrack's first marriage was to Emily Wyatt in 1861 at Broad Chalke |
Sadly Emily Selwood nee Wyatt/Witt died seven years later in 1868 at Amesbury in Wiltshire, after giving birth to two sons; John Selwood b1863 and George Selwood b1865.
The following year in Dec 1869, Shadrack 29 married his second (and much older)
wife, Eliza Harris nee Mundy 49 (who also had been married previously and had
five children by her first husband) and was living 3 miles from Amesbury at 'Wilsford with Lake',
Wiltshire. The fathers were listed as William Sellwood and John Mundy. Shadrack made his mark, but Eliza signed the marriage registration.
 |
| Shadrack Selwood widower married widow Eliza Harris nee Mundy in 1869 |
During the mid-1870’s Shadrack and Eliza moved to Guernsey
in the Channel Islands where they ran a farm in Rouge Rue, St Peter Port,
Guernsey. The 1881 census listed the family as Shadrack Selwood 43 farmer,
Eliza Selwood 58 laundress, George Selwood 17 farmer’s son and John Marcks 17
farm servant.
By 1891 the family were occupying two houses on the farm. In
the first house resided Shadrack Selwood 52 farmer, Eliza Selwood 70, Rose Kreckeler
21 dairymaid, Edward Kreckeler 20 ‘scavenger’ and Tom Bolack 24 servant. Living
next door was son George Selwood 29 ‘scavenger’, his wife Alice Selwood 28 and
son George Frederick Selwood 4mths. According to Wikipedia the occupation
‘scavenger’ was a term used to describe a street sweeper or garbage collector.
The Selwoods may have had another business on the side to bring in extra
income.
 |
| 1891 Census of the occupants of Rouge Rue Farm |
During the 1890’s the Selwoods don’t seem to have fared as
well. According to the 1901 census the family consisted of Shadrach Selwood 66,
who was no longer described as a farmer, but was now a ‘scavenger’, Eliza
Selwood 81, grandson John Selwood 12 farm boy and Eliza’s unmarried son from
her first marriage Robert Harris 48 ag lab. They were still living adjacent to
Shadrack’s son George Selwood 37 'farm carter' and his family who were made up
of wife Alice Selwood 30, George (Frederick) Selwood 10, Archibald Selwood 9,
Alice Selwood 7 and Holly Selwood 3.
On 19 Apr 1905, Shadrack’s second wife
Eliza Selwood nee Harris nee Mundy aged 84 died at Guernsey.
In 1911 and now a widower again, Shadrack was living with
his son George Selwood and his family, and seemed to have expanded his work of
being a ‘scavenger’ into his own business as a ‘dust contractor’ because he is
described as an ‘employer’ (with four workers from three generations of his
family). The term ‘dust contractor’ was an early description for ‘dustman’ or
‘garbage collector’. They were still at the same address, which was listed as
18 Rouge Rue. The census records that the occupants of the farm were Sherack
(Shadrack) Selwood 72 employer, George Selwood 47 son,‘dust
contractor’, George’s wife Alice Selwood 40 (who filled in the census return),
George’s sons; George Fredrick Selwood 20 ‘dust contractor’, John
Selwood 21‘dust contractor’ and Archie Selwood 19 gardener and George’s
daughters Maud Selwood 17 and Holly Selwood 13 (a very young) dressmaker. It
also stated that both Holly and George Frederick were deaf.
Shadrack Selwood 77 died on 17
Jul 1916 and was buried at Les Domains, St Saviour, Guernsey, Channel Islands.
 |
| Eliza Selwood nee Mundy in her later years |
 |
| 1911 Census: The Selwood family living in an 8 roomed house at 18 Rouge Rue, Guernsey |
 |
| George Frederick Selwood 1890-1954; grandson of Shadrack Selwood |
61.7 John William Selwood (1843-1910)
John was baptised on Oct 1843 at Bowerchalke and lived with
his parents up until he joined the British Army at the age of 18 on 15 Dec
1860.
 |
| Extract from Army record of John William Selwood; occupation groom and aged 27 |
He served in the 'Dorsetshire 39th Regiment of Foot' from 1860 to 1870
when he was discharged for medical reasons (hernia). He must have served in Ireland for
a time, because in 1867 at the age of 24 he married an Irish girl named Mary Ann Somerville at the United Church, Rich Hill, Armargh, Ireland. By 1870 the
couple were back in England and they had a daughter named Elizabeth Selwood,
born in Chatham Kent. His army record described him at the age of 18 as 5 ft 7 inches with grey eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.
 |
| 1871 Census: Bottom Household-John William Selwood 28, Mary Ann Selwood 28 & Elizabeth Selwood 1 |
The following year in 1872 the family took the huge decision to migrate to New Zealand with their two young daughters, where they became freehold settlers and took up farming at Te Arai. In our family it was very rare for anyone to move far from the place of their birth, so this move to the other side of the world was a very brave step.
In the 1870’s John and Mary Ann had two more children;
Thomas John Selwood 1875 and William James Selwood 1878, who were born at
Mangawhai, New Zealand. The Waitemata electoral roll of 1900 listed John and
Mary Ann Selwood as freehold settlers and owners of several blocks of land at Te Arai
(something they would never have achieved back in their home country).
John William Selwood died at Te Arai, New Zealand on 1 May 1910 aged 67 and
was buried in the Mangawhai North cemetery. The moving inscription (from a poem by Tennyson) on his
grave reads ‘Oh for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that
is still’.
John's wife, Mary Ann Selwood nee Somerville, died in 1927 at Epsom
Infirmary, Auckland and was buried next to her husband. The cemetery location is Te Arai, Auckland Council, Auckland.
 |
| Gravestone of John William Selwood |
 |
| Cemetery Record for John & Mary Ann Selwood nee Somerville |
61.8 Fanny Selwood (1845-1886)
Fanny was baptised in 1845 at Bowerchalke, and was born with
the disability of being “deaf and dumb”. She lived with her parents all her
life until her mother’s death in 1881. Her disability was described on 1881
census as “idiot”. This was not meant to be a derogatory remark, but rather a
description given to someone who could not live independently. It is unclear
who cared for Fanny after her mother’s death but most likely she was
admitted to the Wiltshire County Lunatic Asylum which was located in Devizes.
There was a “Mary” Selwood admitted on 4 Feb 1881 and discharged on 27 July
1881. According to the EBI Fanny ‘Sillwood’, died in 1886 at Devizes, aged 42
and unmarried.
61.9 James Selwood (1849-1917)
James was baptised in 1849 at Bowerchalke. He lived with his
parents in Bowerchalke and moved with them to The Marsh prior to 1861 when he
was 12.
At some time in his mid to late teens he enlisted in the
British Navy. In 1871 he was a 22 year old Royal Marine with the rank of
private and based at Walmer in Kent. In the mid 1800’s, boys as young as 14
could join the Navy and they would be expected to serve at least for ten years
past their eighteenth birthday (until the age of 28). In James’s case he would
have been entitled to exit the Navy in 1877; which was the year after he was
married.
 |
| James Selwood married Mary Ann Scammell 23 Dec 1876 at Bowerchalke |
61.9a Mary Ann Scammel (1851-?) Wife of James Selwood (1849-1917)
Mary Ann had been baptised at Broad Chalke on 11 Feb 1851 by parents George b1829 and Emily Scammel nee Feltham b1831. George and Emily had been married the year before on 29 Jul 1850 at Broad Chalke and lived in a forested area south of the village called Vernditch (or Fern Ditch). Mary Ann Scammel was their first child and was born two months before the 1851 census.
In 1861 the family was still living at Vernditch and consisted of George Scammel 32, Emily Scammel 30, Mary Ann Scammel 10, Fanny Scammel 6 and Tom Scammel 3. As Vern Ditch is close to both Bowerchalke and Broad Chalke, Mary Ann may have met her future husband (James Selwood b1849) during these years or possibly whilst James was on leave from the Royal Marines. Although most of Mary’s family were at the same address in 1871, Mary Ann Scammel aged 20 was living and working eight miles away at 'Millend', Damerham. She was listed as Ann Scammel 21 and working as a servant for another Scammel family (possibly relatives). The family was made up of Charles Scammel 29 miller, wife Mary Scammel 36 and their children Agnes Scammel 6, William Scammel 4, Frank Scammel 2 and Laura Scammel 6 months.
Also her sister Fanny 17 was living with her 'Feltham' grandparents in South St, Broad Chalke as a helper during the 1871 census. Future husband James Selwood b1849 was at the Royal Marines base at Kent at this time (see above).
On 23 Dec 1876 aged 25, Mary Ann Scammel b1851 married James Selwood in Bowerchalke (see 61.9 above). In 1878 Mary Ann Selwood nee Scammel gave birth to their first child William Selwood named after James' father).
 |
| 1881 Census: James & Mary Ann Selwood nee Scammel & two children |
 |
| 1891 Census: James & Mary Ann Selwood nee Scammel & family |
By 1891 they had
moved to Simner St, Southampton and James 42 labourer was living with his wife
Mary Ann 39 and their three children; William 13, John 11 scholar and Thomas 2.
At the turn of century life took a bad turn for James and his family. At some
stage in the early 1900's Mary Ann Selwood nee Scammel appears to have died (I
have found no death registration as yet), leaving James Selwood with three boys
to care for (the youngest, Thomas, under ten). In 1901 James was admitted (as a
pauper but still listed as ‘married’) to Southampton Workhouse/Union Infirmary
with an ulcerated leg. The two older sons were able to look after themselves but his youngest son John was living in Southampton Boys Shelter at 25 French St.
James Selwood 63 was still at Southampton Workhouse in 1911, listed as a widower
and ‘inmate’ with the occupation of dock worker, but there is no ‘infirmity’
mentioned. 1917 was also a very bad year for the family. James Selwood aged 69 died
and then later in the year, his youngest son Thomas Selwood was one of the thousands of
young men who was killed in WW1 at Flanders Fields, Belgium (see 55.9c below).
NOTE: There was another relative through marriage named Mary Ann Scammel b1847 (a cousin of the above Mary Ann and daughter of Virtue Scammel nee Chant) who married James Chalke. These two women can be easily confused by researchers. For information about her life see 61.8d.
61.9b Thomas Selwood (1889-1917)
Thomas was the youngest son of James Selwood b1859 and Mary
Ann Selwood nee Scammel. He was born in 1889 and had a short and tragic life.
His mother apparently died before he was two, and when he was quite young (some
time before he was a teenager) his father was admitted to the Southampton
Workhouse as a pauper. Thomas was placed in the Southampton Boys Shelter at 25
French St. and in 1901, aged 12 was
living there as a schoolboy. In 1911 at the age of 20 (really 21) he was
working for a bottle merchant and living in a boarding house in Southampton.
At some stage after war was declared in 1914, Thomas (as his
father did when he was young) enlisted in the military forces. On 6 Oct 1917,
Thomas at the age of 28 was one of the thousands of soldiers slaughtered at
Zonnebeke, (Flanders Fields). He was buried at Tyne Cot cemetery in Belgium and
is listed on the Memorial there. His ‘effects’ and unpaid wages were passed
onto his older brother John Selwood after the war.
 |
| Thomas is one of thousands of soldiers buries at Tyne Cot, Belgium |
61.9c Battle of Broodseinde
The cemetery where Thomas Selwood was buried is called 'Tyne Cot'. This was the name given to a barn which stood near the level crossing on the Passchendaele-Broodseinde road. On 4 October, 1917 the British attacked along a 13km front in what became known as the ‘Battle of Broodseinde’. The Germans had reinforced their front line to delay the British capture of their forward positions, which brought more German troops into the area most vulnerable to the British artillery. By coincidence, Australian troops from the Anzac Corps met attacking troops from the German 45th Reserve Division, in no man's land, and played a significant role in the battle by capturing five or six German blockhouses in their advance on Passchendaele. The success of the British advance varied but the losses inflicted on the Germans were devastating. Thomas was killed in action on the third day of the battle.
62.0 GGGGGP George Selwood (1772-1847) & Mary Chant
(1776-1814)
According to ages given in the 1841 census George Selwood was born in the
early 1770’s in Wiltshire. He was possibly baptised six miles from Broad Chalke, at Wilton on 26 Dec 1772 by parents George and Elizabeth Selwood. Later George named his second daughter Elizabeth after his mother.
 |
| GGGGGF George Selwood married GGGGGM Mary Chant 5 May 1800 at Broad Chalke |
On 5 May 1800 he married GGGGGM Mary Chant (see 61.3) at Broad Chalke, where she was born in
1776. Both parties were in their mid to late twenties and neither signed their names. Their eldest son Thomas Selwood was born later that year. They moved to
nearby Bowerchalke where five more children were born. They were GGGGF William Selwood b1804,
James Selwood b1805, Jane Selwood b1808, Robert Selwood b1810 and Elizabeth
Selwood in 1812. Within two years (in 1814) GGGGGM
Mary Selwood nee Chant died and then in 1826 youngest son James died
aged 21.
 |
| 1841 Census. George Selwood living with daughter Elizabeth read nee Selwood at Bowerchalke |
63.0 Six Children of GGGGGP George Selwood (1775-1847) & Mary
Chant (1776-1814)
The descendants of George Selwood and Mary Chant are shown in the diagram below
63.1 Thomas Selwood (1800-1878)
Thomas was baptised on 3 Oct 1800 at Broad Chalke. As with
all of George and Mary’s
children he lost his mother early in life. His father was probably working full
time (60 hour working week was common), so the children would have had to take on much of the household chores,
and the older ones like Thomas would have had to look after the younger ones.
At some stage in his early life Thomas met Maria Bradley who was living five
miles away at Alvediston.
 |
| Thomas Selwood married Maria Bradley on 3 Sep 1822 at Alvediston |
On the 3 Sep 1822 Thomas 22 married Maria Bradley at
Alvediston. Neither Thomas nor Maria signed the registration but William Bradley (probably her father) did sign his name. By 1841 Thomas 40 ag lab and Maria 35 Selwood (name incorrectly
spelt ‘Zilwood’) were living at a hamlet called Norrington with their seven
children; Mary 15, Jane 15 (ages rounded), James 13, Selina 11, William 8,
Elizabeth 5 and George 1. The family were living next door to Mary 25 and Jane
Bradley 2, who were probably related to Maria and there were several other
‘Bradley’ families living nearby. Norrington Manor is a heritage listed
medieval manor house one mile from Alvediston and the family would have worked
on the associated farm (still operating today) and lived in one of the farm
cottages.
 |
| 1851 Census: Thomas & Maria Silwood (Selwood) living at Alvediston with their children and father-in-law |
By 1851 they had moved one mile to the other side of
Alvediston and were living at Church Farm. Living there were Thomas Selwood 50,
farm lab, Maria Selwood 49, James Selwood 23, William Selwood 17, Elizabeth
Selwood 14, George Selwood 11, Charlotte Selwood 6 and Maria’s father William
Bradley 79 pauper. (All the children aged above ten were listed as labourers
and Charlotte was a scholar.) By 1861 most of the children had left home and
Thomas Selwood 60 stableman, Maria Selwood 60 and youngest daughter Charlotte
Selwood 16 were now living in town in Alvediston St. Their son William 28 shepherd,
had married and was living close by in the same street with his wife Caroline
and baby Tom 1.
 |
| 1871 Census: Thomas & Maria Selwood nee Bradley (paupers) living with family members in Alvediston |
By 1871 life had gone downhill at Alvediston. Thomas Selwood
70 and Maria Selwood 69 were now paupers and had moved to Church Rd. Their
house was now filled with other family members. There were Frederick G N
Selwood 1 grandson (born in Kentish Town, London), William T Jenkins 58
son-in-law, daughter Mary Jenkins 48 nee Selwood and grandchildren Anna M
Jenkins 18 invalid pauper, Emily Jenkins
15 invalid pauper and Selina Jenkins 8 scholar. (NB ‘Jenkins’ incorrectly
spelled ‘Jackins’).
Maria Selwood nee Bradley died in 1872 and Thomas Selwood
died a few years later in Oct 1878 aged 78. The nature of daughter's Anna
Maria’s and Emily’s ‘disability’ is not specified, but in 1875 Anna Maria
Jenkins 26 married widower George Gear 49. The 1881 census records that she was
caring for both step children and her own children. Anna Maria Jenkins died in
1890 aged 38.
63.2 GGGGF William Selwood (1804-1868)
William was baptised in Bowerchalke in 1804 and married GGGGM Caroline Hobbs (1808-1881)
in Nunney, Somerset in 1825. They had nine children and 38 grandchildren. See main entry at 60.0 for details of their life
story.
63.3 James Selwood (1805-1826)
James was baptised at Bowerchalke 23 July 1805 (surname
incorrectly listed as Sollard). He died at the young age of 20 on 11 Mar 1826.
There is no record indicating he ever married or had children.
 |
| James Selwood died at the age of 20 in Bowerchalke and was buried in 11 Mar 1826 |
63.4 Jane Selwood (1808-1855)
Jane was baptised at Bowerchalke on 11 Jan 1808. When she
was 22 she married Thomas Blandfield a farmer on 18 Jun 1832 from nearby
Fifield Bavant (2 miles from Bowerchalke). He was 16 years older than her and
ran Fifield Farm consisting of 800 acres and employing 36 labourers. Jane was
one of the very few in our Loader family tree to marry into a family that had
some wealth. He was a respected member of the community and his name appeared
in the local paper a few times announcing that he had been given various minor
appointments.
 |
| Thomas Blandford bachelor married Jane Selwood spinster on 18 June 1832 at Fifield Bavant |
The couple settled in Fifield and Jane had five babies in the 1830’s. Thomas was baptised a
few months after the marriage in 1832 and then followed Mansel 1834, Morgan
Dove Blandford 1835, Elizabeth 1838 (she died as an infant aged 2 mths) and
Advent Blandford in 1839. The 1841 census listed Thomas Blandford 50 (b1791) yeoman, Jane
Blandford 30 (age rounded), Thomas Blandford 9, Morgan Blandford 5, Advent
Blandford 1 and Harriet Hobbs 15 (b1826) servant living on the farm. Mansel Blandford 7
was not listed at this census for an unknown reason, but did appear in the next
census. Jane had two more babies in the 1840’s; Charles Thomas Blandford in
1841 and Henry Blandford in 1847.
 |
| 1851 Census: Thomas 60 & Jane Blandford nee Selwood 43, Morgan & Henry Blandford & servant Harriet Hobbs 26 |
In 1851 Thomas Blandford 60
(b1791) was a farmer of the 800 acre Fifield Farm. The rest of the household included Jane Blandford 43, Morgan Blandford 15, Henry Blandford 4 and Harriet
Hobbs 26 (b1825 Nunney) servant. At this time daughter Mansel Blandford 17 b1834 was visiting
her cousin (on her father's side) Thomas 25 and Sarah Blandford 24 who lived in Parsonage House,
Orchard Portman, Somerset next to Thomas' father and Mansel’s uncle, Henry
Blandford 49 b1802 Fifield (brother of Mansel’s father-in-law Thomas Blandford
b1791). They ran the 650 acre Orchard Farm in Somerset, which was about 60
miles from Mansel’s home. Charles Thomas Blandford aged 9 did not appear in
the census, but was listed in the 1861 census. See note below for more about
his life.
Jane Blandford nee Selwood died on 28 November 1855 at
Fifield Bavant, aged 47. Of Jane’s eight children, at least three died before
the age of 21, including Elizabeth 1838, John 1845 and Advent 1860. After Jane
Blandford nee Selwood died, Thomas Blandford b1791 then in his sixties, stayed on the farm for
a few years.
 |
| 1861 Census: Thomas Blandford; living with adult offspring Morgan 25 and Mansel Blandford 27 at Fifield Bavant |
The 1861 census listed Thomas Blandford 70 widower, farming
850 acres employing 22 men and 8 boys, living with son Morgan Blandford 25,
daughter Mansel Blandford 27 (b1834) and visitors Elizabeth Blandford 36
dressmaker (probably Thomas’ niece), Martha Blandford 15 and Jane Blandford
14. However a few years later, Thomas
sold the farm and moved to a house in Kingsbury Square, Wilton where in 1871 he
lived ‘in retirement’ with unmarried daughter Mansel Blandford 37 who worked as
a daily governess. Thomas Blandford
‘gentleman’ died in Wilton on 24 Aug 1874 aged 83. His will left effects of
£3000 and the executors were daughter Mansel Blandford spinster of Wilton and
son Morgan Dove Blandford commercial traveller of 23 Clarence St, Islington.
Daughter Mansel, unmarried, stayed on in the house and in 1901 was
living at The Square, Wilton, and “living by her own means”. Mansel Blandford aged 75 died and was buried at Wilton on 19 Apr 1909. Probate with effects valued at 566 pounds was granted to her brother Henry Blandford, accountant.
NOTE 1: Son Charles Thomas Blandford aged 9 did not appear in
the 1851 census, but in 1861 was boarding in Somerset and working as an apprentice
engine maker. He went on to migrate to Victoria, Australia and married Julie
Harrison in 1875 in Fitzroy. The family settled in Huntly, near Bendigo purchasing some land in 1899 (Govt Gazette, 2 Oct 1899) . Of their four sons, one was killed in the Boer War
and two were killed in WW1. The following article in the 'The
Bendigo Independent' on 25 Oct 1917 titled "Returned Huntly Soldier" describes a presentation to Charles acknowledging the death of his sons. "Presented
to Mr. and Mrs Charles Thomas Blandford, in appreciation of their noble
sacrifice to the Empire in the gifts of their sons to fight for liberty and
justice. 22/10/17." The address contained the photos of the parents and
four sons, Charles Walter, killed 12/12/16; Ernest Henry, killed 12/6/01 (Boer
War) ; Thomas, killed 9/5/17; George, returned 24/9/17. Mr. T. C. Blandford, on rising to respond, was
loudly cheered. He thanked them, for the address, which he would prize as long as
he lived. His, sons had gone to the war of their own free will. He thanked them
for the welcome home extended
to his only remaining son." Charles Thomas Blandfield died in Bendigo in 1921 aged 79.
NOTE 2: Charles' brother Morgan Blandford appears to have come to Melbourne in 1875 as an unassisted passenger on the ship Durham, but he ended up settling in the US where he died in California in 1915.
NOTE 2: Charles' brother Morgan Blandford appears to have come to Melbourne in 1875 as an unassisted passenger on the ship Durham, but he ended up settling in the US where he died in California in 1915.
63.5 Robert Selwood (1810-1881)
Robert was baptised on 28 Feb 1810 at Broad Chalke by
parents George and Mary Selwood.
On 22 Jul 1838 at Bowerchalke, he married Jane Hobbs 25. Robert’s father was listed as George Selwood, but there was no father listed for Jane Hobbs which suggests her mother was unmarried. Both Jane and Robert were residents of Bowerchalke Parish prior to their marriage. Robert's brother William Selwood had married GGGGM Caroline Hobbs b1807 who also had no father listed. This fact suggests that Caroline and Jane Hobbs may have been sisters; both illegitimate daughters of Jane Hobbs b1790. (See below) Witnesses at the wedding were John Chant (probably a cousin b1814) and Mary Selwood (possibly 16 year old niece b1822). All participants 'made their mark'.
 |
| Robert Selwood married Jane Hobbs in Bowerchalke 22 Jul 1838 |
On 22 Jul 1838 at Bowerchalke, he married Jane Hobbs 25. Robert’s father was listed as George Selwood, but there was no father listed for Jane Hobbs which suggests her mother was unmarried. Both Jane and Robert were residents of Bowerchalke Parish prior to their marriage. Robert's brother William Selwood had married GGGGM Caroline Hobbs b1807 who also had no father listed. This fact suggests that Caroline and Jane Hobbs may have been sisters; both illegitimate daughters of Jane Hobbs b1790. (See below) Witnesses at the wedding were John Chant (probably a cousin b1814) and Mary Selwood (possibly 16 year old niece b1822). All participants 'made their mark'.
 |
| 1841 Census Robert 32 & Jane Selwood nee Hobbs 28 & daughter Mary 5 were living next to Mary Hobbs in Bowerchalke |
By 1841 the family had moved a short distance to Quidham
St., Bowerchalke and consisted of Robert Selwood 32 ag lab, Jane Selwood nee Hobbs 28
(b1813 Clerkenwell) and Mary Selwood 5 month. Living wqith them was
Mary Hobbs 40 c1801 Wiltshire. Mary was most likely related to Jane and was possibly there as a carer. Jane had given birth to a baby five months earlier and was probably unwell all that time, because two months later she died.
 |
| 1851 Census Bowerchalke: Jane Hobbs born at Clerkenwell |
In 1851 they were still living in Quidham St. There were Robert Selwood 41 ag lab, Jane Selwood 38, Mary Jane Selwood 10, Isaac Selwood 7 and Henry Selwood 4. The census indicates that Jane was born in London at Clerkenwell in 1813.
 |
| Bottom: Jane Selwood nee Hobbs aged 38, was buried 22 May 1851 at Bowerchalke |
Two months later on 22 May 1851, Robert’s wife Jane Selwood nee Hobbs died at the age of 38. Robert must have found it difficult to provide and care for his family of three children under the age of ten, 
Seven months after the death of Jane on the 29 Dec 1851, Robert, a widower, married his second wife Elizabeth King b1831, Bowerchalke. She was only 21 (around half his age) and had been living in Quidham St. with her family, so they had probably known each other for some time.
Elizabeth Selwood nee King gave birth to a daughter, Sarah, in 1855, so by 1861 (still in Quidham St.) the household consisted of Robert Selwood 51, Elizabeth Selwood nee King 30, Isaac Selwood 17, Henry Selwood 15 and Sarah Selwood 6. Living on either side of them were Burton brothers and their families. On one side were John Burton b1796 and Ann Burton nee Foyle and on the other side Steven Burton b1807 and Jane Burton nee Hiscock.
By 1871 Elizabeth had given birth to another child and the
household consisted of Robert Selwood 62, Elizabeth Selwood nee King 40, Sarah
Selwood 16 and George Selwood 10. The Burtons were still living in nearby
houses, but now Robert’s niece Drusilla Burton nee Selwood was living next door
with her husband and their family. Her husband was George Burton b1823, the
grandson of John Burton b1796. In 1881 Robert Selwood 72 and Elizabeth Selwood
nee King 51 were living with unmarried son George Selwood 19 and grandson Harry
Selwood 5. Robert Selwood died in July 1881 aged 71.
Seven months after the death of Jane on the 29 Dec 1851, Robert, a widower, married his second wife Elizabeth King b1831, Bowerchalke. She was only 21 (around half his age) and had been living in Quidham St. with her family, so they had probably known each other for some time.
Elizabeth Selwood nee King gave birth to a daughter, Sarah, in 1855, so by 1861 (still in Quidham St.) the household consisted of Robert Selwood 51, Elizabeth Selwood nee King 30, Isaac Selwood 17, Henry Selwood 15 and Sarah Selwood 6. Living on either side of them were Burton brothers and their families. On one side were John Burton b1796 and Ann Burton nee Foyle and on the other side Steven Burton b1807 and Jane Burton nee Hiscock.
 |
| 1871 Census: Robert & Elizabeth Selwood nee King living next to two Burton families. |
63.5a The Hobbs Family
An interesting question is
whether Robert Selwood’s first wife, Jane Selwood nee Hobbs, who was born in 1813 at
Clerkenwell, London (according to the 1851 census) was related to Harriet Hobbs born
in 1824 at Nunney, Somerset. Harriet Hobbs was a servant to Robert’s sister Jane Blandford nee Selwood in 1851. Harriet was baptised on 14 Aug 1824 at Nunney, Somerset by parents Joseph and Mary Hobbs. Siblings born in Nunney included Caroline b1822, Isaac b1819, Richard 1818, Jane 1815. Harriet's father Joseph Hobbs was baptised by his parents, Isaac and Jane Hobbs, on 1 Aug 1789 at Nunney. Joseph Hobbs married Mary Frame in 1810 at Nunney.
Also, was Jane Hobbs (b1813 Clerkenwell) related to GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1790 Nunney), the unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline Hobbs (b1808 Nunney), who was the wife of GGGGF William Selwood (See 60.0)? Another “Hobbs” who may be related is Mary Hobbs b1801 Wiltshire who was living with Robert and Mary Selwood nee Hobbs in 1841. (See above)
Also, was Jane Hobbs (b1813 Clerkenwell) related to GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1790 Nunney), the unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline Hobbs (b1808 Nunney), who was the wife of GGGGF William Selwood (See 60.0)? Another “Hobbs” who may be related is Mary Hobbs b1801 Wiltshire who was living with Robert and Mary Selwood nee Hobbs in 1841. (See above)
Our Hobbs Family from Nunney, Somerset (28 miles from Bowerchalke)
- GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1766 or b1792 Nunney; see below). Unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline b1808 and possibly Jane Hobbs b1813. A 'Jane Hobbs' (1792-1840) married Edward Steel in 1817 in Nunney (Pre-marriage marital status of Jane was not mentioned). Also in 1817, Rachel Hobbs b1786 married Thomas Steel.
NOTE: Jane Hobbs c1790 Even though there are dozens of records for members of the various branches of the Hobbs family in the area near Nunney, no baptism record has been found for Jane. In fact very few women named 'Jane Hobbs' were baptised in all of Somerset County between 1760 and 1790.
One possibility is that Jane was born elsewhere in the late 1700's. This theory would mean that, at some stage she travelled to Nunney and gave birth to Caroline in 1808. Jane may have married in 1817 (see above)
A more likely possibility is that she was Jane Hobbs nee Cooper (bapt Dec 1766 at Frome), the widowed wife of Isaac Hobbs. Although no confirmed burial registration has been found for Isaac, this would explain why no baptism record has been found for Jane. In this scenario, Jane would have been 41 when she gave birth to Caroline in 1808
- GGGGM Caroline Hobbs b18 Apr 1808, Nunney. Illegitimate child of Jane Hobbs b1766 or c1790). Married GGGGF William Selwood in 1825 at Nunney.
These people were probably related to our Hobbs family (Red), but the nature of the relationship is unknown.
- Jane Hobbs (1813-1851) Clerkenwell (according to 1851 census), who married Robert Selwood in 1838 at Bowerchalke (95 miles from London)
- Harriet Hooper Hobbs b1824 Nunney. Daughter of Joseph and Mary Hobbs. Servant to Thomas and Jane Blandford nee Selwood
- Joseph Hobbs 1789-1836 Nunney and Mary Frame. Married 1810. Five children, all born in Nunney were: Jane Hobbs b1815, Harriet Hooper Hobbs b1824 (married James Abraham 1851), Richard Hobbs 1818-1818, Isaac Hobbs b1819 and Caroline Hobbs b1822 (married Fredrick Mines 1843).
- Isaac Hobbs 1764-1857 and Jane Cooper b1766 Frome. Married 10 Feb 1789 at Frome. Five children all born in Nunney were; Joseph Hobbs 1789-1836 (married Mary Frame 1810), James Hobbs b1791, Elizabeth Hobbs b1793, Jacob Hobbs b1795,and Ann Hobbs b1800.
- Joseph Hobbs c1740-1810 and Mary Potter 1741-1823, both of Nunney. Married 22 Sep 1761. Ten children were; Joseph Hobbs 1762-1829 (married Ruth Raynton in 1787 at Mells), Isaac Hobbs 1764-1857, Mary Hobbs b1766, Leah Hobbs b1769, Richard Hobbs b1772-1780, Jacob Hobbs b1775, Betty Hobbs b1778, Phyllis Hobbs b1781, Richard Hobbs b1783-1840 and Rachel Hobbs 1786-1862 (married Thomas Steel 1817). Mary Hobbs nee Potter b1741 was in her early to mid forties when she had her last child.
- Mary Hobbs c1801, Wiltshire. Aged 40 and living with Robert and Jane Selwood nee Hobbs in Bowerchalke in 1841 (she may have been visiting). The census indicates she was born in Wiltshire. Possibly a widowed sister-in-law of Jane Hobbs b1813 (Hobbs may have been her married name).
NOTE: The Hobbs family probably originated in the Wooton/Henstridge area of Somerset; twenty miles south of Nunney. The Ancestry.com family tree of Joseph Quinn follows the family tree back into the 1500's.
63.6 Elizabeth Selwood (1812-1868)
Elizabeth was baptised on 14 Dec 1812 at Bowerchalke. On 27 Nov 1838 Elizabeth was a witness at a friend's (Eliza Hawkins) wedding in Bowerchalke.
On 3
Jan 1839 at the age of 27 Eliza married an older man, John Read (b1801) aged 38,
whose occupation was given as sexton (church official usually responsible for
maintenance). Later that year their first son Enoch Read was born, and in 1841
the family consisted of John Read 40 ag lab, Elizabeth Read 28, Enoch Read 2
and her widowed father George Selwood 66 ag lab. Two more children followed in the
1840's; Lemuel Read in 1843 and Mary Read on 18 May 1845.
 |
| Elizabeth Selwood married John Read in Bowerchalke on 3 Jan 1839 |
 |
| John Read died at the age of 45 and was buried in Bowerchalke on 25 Nov 1846 |
Ten years later in 1861 at the age of 48 she was living in Buddens, Bowerchalk with sons Enoch Read 22 and Lemuel Read 18. Daughter Mary Read 15, was working as a servant with the Lever family of Fovant, Wiltshire. Son Lemuel married Emily Julia Blanchard in 1864 at Bowerchalke.
Elizabeth Read nee Selwood does not appear on the 1871 census return, but son Enoch 42 was living with his widowed grandmother GGGGM Caroline Selwood 66 (see 54.0) in Bowerchalke and son Lemuel 28 was living with his wife Emily 28 and daughter Mary Ann Read 4 a few doors away. In 1871 daughter Mary Read was still working as a servant, but had moved 10 miles to 20 London Rd., Milford (now a suburb of Salisbury), where she was living with the Shuttleworth family. On 5 Sep 1885, daughter Mary Read aged 40 married George Scammel b1829 aged 55 in Bowerchalke (See 58.3).
Elizabeth Read nee Selwood died in late 1868 aged 57 with her death registered in nearby Wilton.
64.0 Three Children of Elizabeth Selwood (1812-1868) & John Read
(1801-1846)
Elizabeth Selwood’s marriage to John Read (1801-?) was the
start of another relationship between members of the Reads and the Selwoods. The lives of her three children are described below.
64.1 Enoch Read (1839-1915)
Son Enoch Read was born in 1839 in Bowerchalke and lived
with his parents until his father died in 1846. After that, he lived with
his mother into the 1860’s. In 1871 at the age of 30 (really 31) he was lodging
with his aunt Caroline Selwood nee Hobbs (his mother’s sister) in Bowerchalke
(see 54.0). In 1881 he was listed as a 35 (really 41) year old unmarried labourer living
alone in North St, Broad Chalke.
By the 1891 census Enoch 57 (really 51) was listed as a shepherd boarding in Broad Chalke with the Gurd family in North St. In 1901 at the age of 62 he was still working as a shepherd and had moved to South St, Broad Chalke, where he was boarding with an elderly couple named ‘Bridle’. In 1911 Enoch 71 was living with his sister Mary Scammel nee Read 65 and presumably stayed there until he died in 1915 aged 76. He remained single and there were no known children.
64.2 Lemuel Read (1843-1925)
Son Lemuel was born in 1843 in Bowerchalke and lived with
his parents until his father died in 1846.
After that he lived with his
mother until he married Emily Julia Blanchard in 1864 at Bowerchalke. They were both aged 22 and had been living in Bowerchalke. Samuel signed his name but Julia made her mark.Their
first child Mary Ann Read was born in 1867 at Bowerchalke and in 1871 they were
living not far from Lemuel’s aunt Caroline Selwood nee Hobbs (see 54.0). The residents listed in their house at that
time were Lemuel Read 28 carter, Emily J Read 28 and Mary A Read 4. In 1881
Lemuel 39 agricultural carter and his growing family had moved 8 miles to
Factory Rd., Barford St Martin. The family consisted of Lemuel Read 39 carter,
Emily J. Read 39, Mary A. Read scholar 14, Emily E. Read 8 scholar, John Read 5
scholar and William G. Read 10 mths.
 |
| Lemuel Read 22 married Emily Julia Blanchard 22 15 Oct 1864 |
 |
| 1891 census: Lemuel Read 48, Emily J Read 48, John Read 15 & grand-daughter Edith Read 8 |
Most of their children had left home by 1991 and the family
moved to Vernditch Lodge, Broad Chalke. At this time Lemuel 48 was described as
an invalid and he was living with his wife Emily 48, youngest son John 15 and
granddaughter Edith 8. Emily died in the 1990’s, so by the turn of the century
in 1901 Lemuel 58 was a widowed carter (horse and cart) living at Stoke, Broad
Chalke with son John 25 who had the same occupation and granddaughter Edith
Read 18 (no occupation). Lemuel died in 1925 at Hampshire aged 84.
64.3 Mary Read (1845-1924)
Mary was baptised on the 18 May 1845 at Bowerchalke and
lived with her parents until her father died in 1846.
She was living
with her widowed mother and two brothers at the time of the 1851 census. Her
mother must have been struggling to provide for her children after the
unexpected death of her husband at such a young age (45). Her two brothers started working as agricultural labourers
as soon as they were old enough, and by 1861 Mary Read 16 gained a job 4 miles
away as a ‘live-in’ servant for the Lever family of Fovant, Wiltshire.
 |
| 1851 Census: Elizabeth Read 38 & her children Enoch 11, Lemuel 8 & Mary 5 |
By 1871 Mary Read was still working as a servant, but had
moved 12 miles to 20 London Rd., Milford, Salisbury where she was working for
William Shuttleworth 31 chaplain and his wife.
On 5 Sep 1885, Mary aged 40,
married widower, George Scammel aged 57, in Bowerchalke. (See 58.3a). Mary signed her name but George made his mark. Witnesses were brother Lemuel Read and mother Emily Julia Read. See more about Mary's life below in 58.3a.
 |
| Mary Read married George Scammel 5 Sep 1885 at Broad Chalke |
64.3a George Thomas Scammel (1829-1905)
George Thomas Scammel was born in 1829 at Broad Chalke. His first
marriage on 29 Jul 1850 was to Emily Feltham. George and Emily had seven
children; Mary Ann Scammel 1851, Fanny Scammel 1855, Tom Scammel 1858, Fred
Scammel 1862, Emma J Scammel 1865, Amelia Scammel 1868 and Sydney Scammel 1871.
They lived most of their lives in Vernditch (aka Fernditch), Broad Chalke, but
by 1881 had moved to Mead End, Bowerchalke.
George’s eldest daughter Mary Ann Scammel 25 b1851 married James Selwood
27 b1849 (See 55.9) on 23 Dec 1876 at Bowerchalk. If he didn’t know the
unmarried Mary Read before, George probably met her at his daughter’s wedding,
because Mary Read’s mother, Elizabeth Read nee Selwood b1812 (57.6) was an aunt
of the groom, James Selwood b1849. Or to put it differently Mary Read was a
cousin of James Selwood b1849. See 55.9 for more about James Selwood and Mary
Ann Scammel b1851.
 |
| 1891 Census: George Scammel 68, Mary Scammel nee Read 45 & George's son Sidney Scammel 19 |
In 1883, George’s first wife Emily Scammel nee
Feltham died. Two years later in 1885, George Scammel 57 (really 53) married the much
younger Mary Read 40 (see above) and in 1891 George 62 and Mary 45 were living at Mead End,
Bowerchalke along with George’s youngest son from his first marriage; Sydney
Scammel 19, groom.
Ten years later in 1901, George Scammel at the age of 72 still described
himself as an agricultural labourer. He was living at the same address with his
second wife, Mary Scammel nee Read 55. George Scammel died in 1905 aged 76, and
in 1911 his widowed wife Mary Scammel nee Read was living with her brother
Enoch Read 72 in Bowerchalke who remained unmarried (See 58.1). Neither of them
had any known children. Mary Scammel nee Read died in 1924 aged 78.
NOTE: There were two women, who were cousins and both named Mary Ann Scammel, born just a few years apart in the Bowerchalke area. Mary Ann Scammel b1851 was
the daughter of George Scammel (above) and she married James Selwood. Mary Ann
Scammel b1847 was the daughter of George's brother James Scammel and his wife
Virtue Chant (See Chant tree below). She married James Chalk and after he died, she married James West.
64.3b Mead End, Bowerchalke
Two couples from this generation occupied Mead End,
Bowerchalke (about halfway between Bowerchalke and Broad Chalke). By 1881
George Scammel and his first wife Emily Feltham moved there along with their
daughter Mary Ann Scammel b1851. In 1891, after George had married his second
wife Mary Read, Mead End was still listed as their residence. Ten years later
in 1891 George Dimmer and his wife Drusilla nee Selwood who were in their late
seventies were also living in one of the cottages (see 55.1). Mary Read and
Drusilla Selwood were cousins and they may have been living at Mead End at the
same time.
The British History Website provides the following
information, "Mead End, on the chalk north of Bower Chalke village, comprised
two or three houses west of the Broad Chalke to Sixpenny Handley road in the
late 18th century and the early 19th. Houses had been built east of the road by
1842 and bungalows were added east and west of it in the 20th century."
Interestingly, one of the cottages at Mead End named 'Ebble
Thatch', was the home of novelist Sir William Golding (author of 'Lord of the
Flies') in 1940 and from 1958-1985. Perhaps he occupied one of our ancestor’s
houses.
NOTE: ‘Mead End’ is about 8 miles from ‘Mill End’, Damerham,
where Mary Ann Scammel b1851 (later wife of James Selwood b1849 was working in
1871. See 55.9a
65.0 Hobbs Families in the Nunney Area
An interesting question is
whether Robert Selwood’s first wife, Jane Selwood nee Hobbs, who was
born in 1813 at
Clerkenwell, London (according to the 1851 census) was related to
Harriet Hobbs born
in 1824 at Nunney, Somerset. Harriet Hobbs was a servant to Robert’s
sister Jane Blandford nee Selwood in 1851. Harriet was baptised on 14
Aug 1824 at Nunney, Somerset by parents Joseph and Mary Hobbs. Siblings
born in Nunney included Caroline b1822, Isaac b1819, Richard 1818, Jane
1815. Harriet's father Joseph Hobbs was baptised by his parents, Isaac
and Jane Hobbs, on 1 Aug 1789 at Nunney. Joseph Hobbs married Mary Frame
in 1810 at Nunney.
Also, was Jane Hobbs (b1813 Clerkenwell) related to GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1790 Nunney), the unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline Hobbs (b1808 Nunney), who was the wife of GGGGF William Selwood (See 60.0)? Another “Hobbs” who may be related is Mary Hobbs b1801 Wiltshire who was living with Robert and Mary Selwood nee Hobbs in 1841. (See above)
These people were probably related to our Hobbs family (Red), but the nature of the relationship is unknown.
Also, was Jane Hobbs (b1813 Clerkenwell) related to GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1790 Nunney), the unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline Hobbs (b1808 Nunney), who was the wife of GGGGF William Selwood (See 60.0)? Another “Hobbs” who may be related is Mary Hobbs b1801 Wiltshire who was living with Robert and Mary Selwood nee Hobbs in 1841. (See above)
Our Hobbs Family from Nunney, Somerset (28 miles from Bowerchalke)
- GGGGGM Jane Hobbs (b1766 or b1792 Nunney; see below). Unmarried mother of GGGGM Caroline b1808 and possibly Jane Hobbs b1813. A 'Jane Hobbs' (1792-1840) married Edward Steel in 1817 in Nunney (Pre-marriage marital status of Jane was not mentioned). Also in 1817, Rachel Hobbs b1786 married Thomas Steel.
NOTE: Jane Hobbs c1790
Even though there are dozens of records for members of the various
branches of the Hobbs family in the area near Nunney, no baptism record
has been found for Jane. In fact very few women named 'Jane Hobbs' were
baptised in all of Somerset County between 1760 and 1790.
One
possibility is that Jane was born elsewhere in the late 1700's. This
theory would mean that, at some stage she travelled to Nunney and gave
birth to Caroline in 1808. Jane may have married in 1817 (see above)
A
more likely possibility is that she was Jane Hobbs nee Cooper (bapt Dec
1766 at Frome), the widowed wife of Isaac Hobbs. Although no confirmed
burial registration has been found for Isaac, this would explain why no
baptism record has been found for Jane. In this scenario, Jane would
have been 41 when she gave birth to Caroline in 1808
- GGGGM Caroline Hobbs b18 Apr 1808, Nunney. Illegitimate child of Jane Hobbs b1766 or c1790). Married GGGGF William Selwood in 1825 at Nunney.
These people were probably related to our Hobbs family (Red), but the nature of the relationship is unknown.
- Jane Hobbs (1813-1851) Clerkenwell (according to 1851 census), who married Robert Selwood in 1838 at Bowerchalke (95 miles from London)
- Harriet Hooper Hobbs b1824 Nunney. Daughter of Joseph and Mary Hobbs. Servant to Thomas and Jane Blandford nee Selwood
- Joseph Hobbs 1789-1836 Nunney and Mary Frame. Married 1810. Five children, all born in Nunney were: Jane Hobbs b1815, Harriet Hooper Hobbs b1824 (married James Abraham 1851), Richard Hobbs 1818-1818, Isaac Hobbs b1819 and Caroline Hobbs b1822 (married Fredrick Mines 1843).
- Isaac Hobbs 1764-1857 and Jane Cooper b1766
Frome. Married 10 Feb 1789 at Frome. Five children all born in Nunney
were; Joseph Hobbs 1789-1836 (married Mary Frame 1810), James Hobbs
b1791, Elizabeth Hobbs b1793, Jacob Hobbs b1795,and Ann Hobbs b1800.
- Joseph Hobbs c1740-1810 and Mary Potter 1741-1823, both of Nunney. Married 22 Sep 1761. Ten children were; Joseph Hobbs 1762-1829 (married Ruth Raynton
in 1787 at Mells), Isaac Hobbs 1764-1857, Mary Hobbs b1766, Leah Hobbs
b1769, Richard Hobbs b1772-1780, Jacob Hobbs b1775, Betty Hobbs b1778,
Phyllis Hobbs b1781, Richard Hobbs b1783-1840 and Rachel Hobbs 1786-1862
(married Thomas Steel 1817). Mary Hobbs nee Potter b1741 was in her
early to mid forties when she had her last child.
- Mary Hobbs c1801, Wiltshire. Aged 40 and living with Robert and Jane Selwood nee Hobbs in Bowerchalke in 1841 (she may have been visiting). The census indicates she was born in Wiltshire. Possibly a widowed sister-in-law of Jane Hobbs b1813 (Hobbs may have been her married name).
PART 7: CHANT FAMILY TREE
The Chant (or Chaunt) family joined our family tree when GGGGGM Mary Chant b1776 married GGGGGF George Selwood in 1800 at
Broad Chalke (See 56.0). This chapter explores Mary Chant’s ancestors starting
with her parents. A full diagram of the family tree is below
66.0 GGGGGGP John Chant (1744-1814) & Mary Clement
(1748-1801)
GGGGGM Mary
Chant’s parents were GGGGGGP John
Chant (or Chaunt) bMar 1744 at Broad Chalke and Mary Clement b1747 in Mere,Wiltshire. Mary Clement's father was Edward Clement but no more is known. John Chant's b1744 ancestry is detailed in 62.0.
John Chant was baptised on 25 Mar 1744 by his parents at Broad Chalke. At some stage John met his future wife Mary Clements who was residing a short distance away at Fifield Bavant.
 |
| GGGGGGF John, son of GGGGGGGP John and Mary Chant was baptised on 25 Mar, 1744 at Broad Chalke |
 |
| John Chant & Mary Clement were married on this day in this chapel (Fifield) by Banns on 6 Oct 1771 |
67.0 Eight children of GGGGGGP John Chant (1744-1814) & Mary Clement (1748-1801)
GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant had at least eight children whilst living in Broad Chalke. There is no way of telling whether all these were children of our John and Mary. However, as all children were born a few years apart from each other, starting with the first soon after John and Mary's marriage and finishing with William, when Mary reached the end of her child bearing days, it appears they all belonged to the same family. What is more in doubt is whether it was our 'Chant children' who married the partners listed below. Sometimes there was more than one child with the same name born at around the same time which increases the chances of errors being made in the ancestral tree.
67.1 Elizabeth Chant (1772-1851)
67.1 Elizabeth Chant (1772-1851)
 |
| Top Entry: Elizabeth, daughter of John & Mary Chant was baptised 17 Jan 1773 at Broad Chalke |
 |
| An "Elizabeth Chant" married George Emm at Broad Chalke on 2 Aug 1790 |
The second marriage is much more likely to have been our Elizabeth Chant. See below.
Elizabeth Chant 29 married
William Case of the Parish of Bishopstone on 20 Dec 1802 at Broad Chalke. Elizabeth gave birth to at least ten children in Bishopstone, one of whom (Thomas Case) migrated to NSW in 1838. William Case died in 1835 leaving Elizabeth a widow.
In 1841 at the age of 60 (age rounded down; really 68), Elizabeth Case female servant was living at Bishopstone (two miles from Broad Chalke) with her daughter Harriett Case 15. When daughter Harriett married Thomas Strickland in 1850, Elizabeth Case nee Chant moved 7 miles to Rockbourne to live with them. In 1851 living at Rockbourne were Thomas Strickland 31, Harriet Strickland 26 and Elizabeth Case 71 (really 78), mother-in-law. Elizabeth Case nee Chant died and was buried in Bishopstone on 11 Apr 1853 with her age incorrectly recorded as 74 (really 80).
 |
| Elizabeth Chant married William Case on 20 Dec 1802 at Broad Chalke |
In 1841 at the age of 60 (age rounded down; really 68), Elizabeth Case female servant was living at Bishopstone (two miles from Broad Chalke) with her daughter Harriett Case 15. When daughter Harriett married Thomas Strickland in 1850, Elizabeth Case nee Chant moved 7 miles to Rockbourne to live with them. In 1851 living at Rockbourne were Thomas Strickland 31, Harriet Strickland 26 and Elizabeth Case 71 (really 78), mother-in-law. Elizabeth Case nee Chant died and was buried in Bishopstone on 11 Apr 1853 with her age incorrectly recorded as 74 (really 80).
67.2 Aly (Ann) Chant (1774-1856)
Aly or Aby (Ann) was baptised on 10 Jul 1774 at Broad Chalke by
parents GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant.
On 28 Jan 1799 Ann married John Goodfellow at Broad Chalke. They were both
residents of Broad Chalke at the time and their marriage was witnessed by James
Nightingale. Neither party signed their names. They settled at Chilmark (about 8 miles from Broad Chalke) where Ann gave birth to at least six babies.
In 1841 they were residing in Chilmark where there were
several other ‘Goodfellow’ families. Living in the house were John Goodfellow
64 ag lab, Ann Goodfellow 64 and children John Goodfellow 21 Henry Goodfellow 12 and Thomas Goodfellow 32 and his family; wife Susanna Goodfellow and their child Ann Goodfellow 2.
In 1851 the household at 'Common Gate', Chilmark had grown to include John Goodfellow 74, Ann Goodfellow 74, Jane Yates nee Goodfellow 44 widowed daughter, George Yates 7, Henry Goodfellow 29 son, Eliza Goodfellow 27 daughter-in-law and Tom Goodfellow 2 grandson. Ann Goodfellow nee Chant died at Chilmark on 6 Feb 1856 aged 82.
 |
| Mid Entry: Aley or possibly Aby Chant was baptised on 10 Jul 1774 |
 |
| Ann Chant married John Goodfellow at Broad Chalke on 28 Jan 1799 |
In 1851 the household at 'Common Gate', Chilmark had grown to include John Goodfellow 74, Ann Goodfellow 74, Jane Yates nee Goodfellow 44 widowed daughter, George Yates 7, Henry Goodfellow 29 son, Eliza Goodfellow 27 daughter-in-law and Tom Goodfellow 2 grandson. Ann Goodfellow nee Chant died at Chilmark on 6 Feb 1856 aged 82.
67.3 GGGGGM Mary Chant (1776-1814)
Mary was baptised on 13 Aug 1776 in Broad Chalke by parents GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant.
GGGGGM Mary Chant married GGGGGF George Selwood in 1800 at
Broad Chalke. They had six children and she died in 1814 (See 56.0 & 57.0)
 |
| 2nd from bottom: GGGGGM Mary Chant, daughter of John & Mary Chant baptised 13 Aug 1776 at Broad Chalke |
67.4 John Chant (1778-?)
John was the first born son and as was the family tradition
was named after his father.
He was baptised on 4 Apr 1778 at Broad Chalke by
parents GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant.
No more definitive information is known about John’s life. There was a John
Chant buried on 27 Aug 1813 at Broad Chalke, but as no age was recorded we are
unable to confirm whether he was our John Chant.
 |
| Bottom: John Chant son of John & Mary Chant was baptised on 4 Apr 1778 at Broad Chalke. |
67.5 James Chant (1780-1861)
 |
| James Chant, son of GGGGGP John & Mary Chant was baptised 14 May 1780 at Broad Chalke |
67.6 Sarah Chant (1784-1849)
Sarah was baptised by GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant on 23 Feb 1784 at Broad Chalke. See below.
 |
| Bottom Entry: Sarah Chant daughter of John & Mary Chant baptised 23 Feb 1784 at Broad Chalke |
The only marriage of a Sarah Chant that seems to fit the bill is one that married William Musselwhite bachelor at Britford (10m from Broad Chalke) on 15
April 1811. Three children were born to the couple; George Musselwhite probably
born between 1816 and 1818, Sarah Musselwhite 1824 and Henry Musselwhite 1829.
In 1841 Sarah Musselwhite nee Chant 55 (really 57) was living in Britford with
children George 20 ag lab, Sarah 15 (really 17) and Henry 13 (incorrectly
listed as 18) ag lab. Oddly, William was not listed, but may have been
elsewhere for employment or other reasons. Sarah died in Oct 1849 aged 63 at
Britford, and in 1851, William was listed as being back with the family; which
now consisted of William Musselwhite 65 widower and children Sarah Musselwhite
27, Henry Musselwhite 22 and granddaughter Emily Musselwhite 1. Son George was
on the other side of the world having almost finished a ten year transportation
sentence in Van Diemans Land by this time (See below).
67.6a George Musselwhite (1818-1871); convict relative
George was William and Sarah Musselwhite’s (nee Chant) oldest child and was baptised in Feb 1819, but probably born in 1818 or possibly 1816. The earlier date fits better with his age when he was imprisoned and also is more likely for him to have fathered a child in 1832. In 1833 at the Easter sessions of the Salisbury Court, George had his first brush with the law, when he was sentenced to one week in prison for larceny. Later that year in October he was in the Salisbury Court of Petty Sessions again in the "Bastardry Examinations" which found that he had fathered a female child (born on 18 Nov 1832) to Anne Harmon. Both were residents of Britford at the time. In 1841 George was listed as living with his family in Britford as follows; mother Sarah Musselwhite nee Chant 55 (really 57) with children George 20 (really 23) ag lab, Sarah 15 (really 17) and Henry 13 (incorrectly listed as 18) ag lab. Their father was absent at the time of the census and this may have been a factor in George turning to crime later that year. As the eldest son he may have felt responsible for obtaining food for the family.
On 29 June 1841 aged '25' George Musselwhite was charged, tried and found guilty of sheep stealing in Warminster County Court and sentenced to 10 years transportation to the penal colony of Van Diemans Land. His convict record gives many details about his appearance and a little bit about his background. He claimed he had only stolen one sheep, but admitted he had previously been charged with poaching. The record also indicated that he had a wife at the time of the offence but no details about her were recorded.
George departed England on 10 Aug 1842 with 390 other convicts on the ship ‘Moffatt’ and arrived in the colony of Van Diemans Land fourteen weeks later on 28 Nov. He was released on the first stage of probation on 28 Jun 1844 (probably to provide manual labour for a free settler) but managed to get into some trouble during that period. He was found drunk after not returning for the monthly muster and was kept in chains for one month as punishment.
In 1846 he was sent to Longford to work for a Mr Arthur. (He must have liked this area of Tasmania because this is where he settled with his family after he became a free man). In 1847 he was found guilty of larceny of £5 and later got into some strife when he was caught in the water closet with a female servant for an ‘immoral’ purpose. Notwithstanding these hiccups George was freed on 11 July 1851 (after serving ten years) and gained permission to marry a fellow convict named Rachel Fawcet (Faucet) aged 21 on 19 Aug 1851. Rachel was listed as prisoner on the marriage certificate when they married on 8 Sep 1851 in Launceston, so she still had part of her sentence to serve (whilst working in the community).
67.6b Rachel Faucet (Fawcet) (1830-1905)
Rachel 18, was sentenced to seven years transportation in the Glasgow Court on the 7 May 1848. Her prior criminal record was lengthy. She had grown up in Glasgow and had employment as a ‘nurse girl’. Before the age of 18 she had six convictions which were mainly for housebreaking and had already served four prison sentences varying from 60 days to 10 months. She was also suspected of engaging in prostitution. At 18 she had a fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair and a slightly freckled face. Rachel arrived in Van Diemans Land on 12 Apr 1849 on the ship ‘Cadet’ with 150 other female convicts. In the colony she was put to work in the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart (today a World Heritage Site). The women were divided into three classes according to their behaviour. Rachel was in the lowest or third class and her tasks involved ‘laundering for the factory, the orphan school and the penitentiary’. Rachel found it hard to comply with the many rules. “Females guilty of disobedience of orders, neglect of work, profane, obscene, or abusive language, insubordination, or other turbulent or disorderly or disrespectful conduct, shall be punished by the superintendent with close confinement in a dark or other cell”. Rachel’s list of offences included ‘disorderly conduct after the hour of silence’ (3 months hard labour), idleness (2 months hard labour), being absent without permission (7 months hard labour), improper language (3 months hard labour) and on several occasions was confined to her cell for minor breaches.
On 21 Sep 1852 Rachel was given a ticket of leave, which was a form of freedom on parole. As this was after her marriage to George Musselwhite, he was probably responsible for her. (Judging by her record, the authorities were probably glad get her off their hands). Rachel finally gained her freedom in 1855 having served her seven years, and by that time she and George had started a family and settled in Longford, Tasmania.
George and Rachel had at least eight children, who were all born at Longford. On 28 Sep 1852 Rachel gave birth to Charles Musselwhite and George gave his occupation as farmer. On 15 Sep 1858 Rachel gave birth to another son, who they named George Musselwhite after his father and he became a well-known shearer. One of his sons (grandson of George b1818), Hector George Musselwhite, continued the family habit of crossing paths with the law and was sentenced to six months hard labour for obtaining property on false pretences. Other children born to George (b1818) were Margaret 1855, Mary Ann 1856, James 1860, Rachel 30 Aug 1861, Harriett 1865 and Matilda 1871.
George Musselwhite b1818 died on 25 Feb 1871 at Longford Tasmania. His widowed wife Rachel Musselwhite nee Fawcett continued to get into trouble with the law every now and again. In 1891 she was found guilty of being an ‘idle and disorderly person’ and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment. This happened again in 1893 but the sentence was less harsh at 3 hours detention. Rachel died in 1905 in Launceston.
67.7 Mariah (Maria) Chant (1787-1801)
Maria was baptised on either 3 or 27 May 1787 at Broad
Chalke by parents GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant. The reason for the date confusion is because several baptisms on this page (below) are repeated; some with different dates. John Feltham, Anne Coombs & Mariah (Maria) Chant are all repeated. The minister obviously, was quite confused when he recorded these baptisms.
As no more records have been found she may have died as a child.
NOTE: It seems odd that Mariah (Maria) and her older sister Mary have very similar names, but all other information seems to indicate that they were sisters.
 |
| Baptism of Maria Chant listed twice (third & last entry) |
NOTE: It seems odd that Mariah (Maria) and her older sister Mary have very similar names, but all other information seems to indicate that they were sisters.
67.8 William Chant (1791-1859)
The last "Chant" baby baptised in Broad Chalke during GGGGGGM Mary Chant nee Clement's childbearing years was William Chant, baptised when Mary was around 43. There were two William Chants baptised in 1781. The first' William Chant' was the son of William and Jane Chant, baptised 13 Feb 1791 (See below)
 |
| William (Wm) Chant son of William (Wm) & Jean Chant baptised 13 Feb 1791 at Broad Chalke |
 |
| William Chant son of GGGGGGP John & Mary Chant baptised 26 Jun 1791 |
The second William Chant with parents GGGGGGP John and Mary Chant was baptised on 26 Jun 1791 at Broad Chalk (see above).
The census in 1841 lists William 59 & Margaret Chant 59 living at The Marsh, Broad Chalke (i.e born 1782) and in 1851 indicate William Chant 70 and Margaret 74 still living at The Marsh, Broad Chalke (i.e born in 1781) and another document lists a William Chant who married (Margaret) Peggy Snell on 15 Dec 1808 in Broad Chalke. This William Chant may be from another family and if so was not baptised in Broad Chalke. However as the 1851 census says he was born in Broad Chalke he just may be 'our William' born 1891 and perhaps both census got his age wrong. Ages were recorded by an 'enumerator' and in an age of widespread illiteracy there may have been an error. Perhaps whoever provided the information was not aware of the correct ages.
On 15 Dec 1808 a William Chant married (Margaret) Peggy Snell in Broad Chalke. This date is also problematic and makes it likely that this William was the son of William and Jean Chant baptised on 13 Feb 1791 (see above) as he was likely to have been 18 at the time of his marriage, whilst our William was only 17.
William and Margaret (Peggy) had the following six children:-Jane Chant 1809, John Chant 1 Jul 1814, Virtue Chant 1817, William Chant b1819, Elizabeth Chant b1822 and James Chant b1824. In 1841 William and Margaret were both listed as being 59 and were living at 'The Marsh' Broad Chalke with their daughter, unmarried mother Virtue Chant 23 and grandson Henry Chant, who was 2 years old. (See 61.8b). William and Peggy Chant were paupers in their 70’s in 1851 and living alone at 'The Marsh'. However they were living next to James Chant b1827 and his wife Emma and widowed daughter Virtue Scammell nee Chant b1814 and her family. They both died at Broad Chalke. Peggy died on 2 April 1852 and William in 1859 (both deaths were registered at Wilton).
The census in 1841 lists William 59 & Margaret Chant 59 living at The Marsh, Broad Chalke (i.e born 1782) and in 1851 indicate William Chant 70 and Margaret 74 still living at The Marsh, Broad Chalke (i.e born in 1781) and another document lists a William Chant who married (Margaret) Peggy Snell on 15 Dec 1808 in Broad Chalke. This William Chant may be from another family and if so was not baptised in Broad Chalke. However as the 1851 census says he was born in Broad Chalke he just may be 'our William' born 1891 and perhaps both census got his age wrong. Ages were recorded by an 'enumerator' and in an age of widespread illiteracy there may have been an error. Perhaps whoever provided the information was not aware of the correct ages.
On 15 Dec 1808 a William Chant married (Margaret) Peggy Snell in Broad Chalke. This date is also problematic and makes it likely that this William was the son of William and Jean Chant baptised on 13 Feb 1791 (see above) as he was likely to have been 18 at the time of his marriage, whilst our William was only 17.
William and Margaret (Peggy) had the following six children:-Jane Chant 1809, John Chant 1 Jul 1814, Virtue Chant 1817, William Chant b1819, Elizabeth Chant b1822 and James Chant b1824. In 1841 William and Margaret were both listed as being 59 and were living at 'The Marsh' Broad Chalke with their daughter, unmarried mother Virtue Chant 23 and grandson Henry Chant, who was 2 years old. (See 61.8b). William and Peggy Chant were paupers in their 70’s in 1851 and living alone at 'The Marsh'. However they were living next to James Chant b1827 and his wife Emma and widowed daughter Virtue Scammell nee Chant b1814 and her family. They both died at Broad Chalke. Peggy died on 2 April 1852 and William in 1859 (both deaths were registered at Wilton).
67.8a Jane Chant (1809-1894)
Jane was the first child born to William Chant and Peggy
Snell. She was born on 25 April 1809 in the year following her parent's
marriage in Broad Chalke. She was 23 on 2 Jun 1832, when she married Henry Ingram of Broad Chalke, a shepherd,
in Fisherton Anger (9 miles from Broad Chalke on the outskirts of Salisbury). Witnesses at the wedding were Mary Ann Joy and Mary Ann Chant. Both Jane and Henry 'made their mark'. Intriguingly, Banns for their marriage were first issued in Broad Chalke on 1 Jan 1829 and the minister wrote a note under Jane's name saying "asked again afterwards". This may have been a reference to Jane being underage (21 was the age of consent). It may also be a hint of conflict with the minister and why the actual marriage took place two years later in a different location.
Jane Ingram nee Chant with her husband and two sons and
daughter (all under six) came to Sydney in September, 1838 as assisted
immigrants on the ship 'Woodbridge'. Their immigration documents described Jane as a "native of Broad Chalke" and daughter of William Chant and indicated that she "could read and write a little" and was in "very good health".
Her father's occupation was given as "labourer" and her occupation
was "housemaid". Her religion was listed as Church of England and her children were John 6, Margaret 3 and William 2. Her husband Henry was described as "a native of Broad Chalke" was 30 years old, a shepherd, was in good health but he could not read or write.
An article written by Sheila Barber, 149 Wellington Street,
Bombala, appeared in the Bombala Times on 14 September 1888, headed: "150
Years of Ingrams on the Monaro 1838-1988", read as follows; "One
hundred and fifty years ago this month, they were out at sea in a small wooden
ship, heading towards a strange new land. They were possibly seasick, some of
the women were pregnant, and 55 women and children were suffering from
dysentery, which caused the death of a few. The voyage was to last 18 weeks and
five days and their only port of call on the way was at Simons Bay, Cape of
Good Hope, where they took on fresh beef and vegetables. How brave these people
must have been and how bright the future in NSW must have seemed, after the
conditions back home in England."
The following is taken from Jane Ingram nee Chant's obituary
published in 'Australian Town and Country Journal', 5 May 1894, "In 1839
she came to Bombala, and being one of the earliest white settlers the house in
which she lived was the only one in the place. She afterwards lived in a small house
near the creek at the corner of Burton and Maybe streets, and it was there that
her daughter, Mrs Elton, the first native born on Monaro, first saw the light
in 1840. Mrs. Ingram and her husband, soon after their arrival in Bombala,
entered the service of Captain Campbell, where they remained 19 years, with the
exception of one year, during which they were employed by Mr. John Nicholson.
After this, the old lady came to live at her late residence, where she till her
death resided. She was the mother of a family of 13, the eldest son now living
being 61 years of age. Her grandchildren number 66, and she has 61
great-grandchildren, and the whole lot are on Monaro. The funeral took place on
Saturday afternoon (26 Apr 1894), where a large number of relatives and friends
followed the remains to their last resting place."
Jane's Death Certificate confirms many details about her. Cause of death was 'dropsy' and she had been ill for 12 months. Her father was William Chant believed to be a ‘watchmaker’, but her mother's name was unknown. She was 85 when she died and was survived by seven living children including John 61 and James Ingram 52 who witnessed the death certificate.
67.8b Virtue Chant (1817-1900)
William and Peggy’s second daughter, Virtue Chant was baptised on 1 Dec 1817 at Broad Chalke but ages given in most census documents indicate she was born a year or two earlier than this. In her very early twenties Virtue gave birth (out of wedlock) to Henry James Chant who was baptised at Broad Chalke on 4 Nov 1838. Although no father was listed, her choice of the middle name ‘James’ may be an indication that her future husband, James Scammel, was the father. In 1841 she was living at “The Marsh” Broad Chalke with her parents and her illegitimate child Henry James Chant 2.
 |
| Virtue Chant married James Scammel on 19 Jan 1843 at Broad Chalke |
Virtue married James Scammel (1816-1850) on 10 Jan 1843 at Broad Chalke.
A witness at the wedding was her brother James Chant. Virtue had three more
babies over the next seven years; Virtue Scammel 1843-1909, Mary Ann Scammel
1847-1881 and James Scammel 1850-1943. Tragically, Virtue’s husband James
Scammel 34 died in 1850 leaving his pregnant wife Virtue a widow with four
children under the age of thirteen.
 |
| 1851 Census: Virtue Chant, widow, living at The Marsh, with her 4 children |
 |
| In 1853 the widowed Virtue Scammel nee Chant married Henry Joy at Broad Chalke |
Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant and Henry Joy moved into the South St
home and by the time of the 1861 census the family had grown even bigger.
Living in the house were Virtue's husband Henry Joy 40, Virtue's children Henry
Chant 22, Virtue Scammel 18, Mary Ann Scammel 14, James Scammel 12 plough boy
and two children from Virtue’s marriage to Henry Joy; Harriett Joy 6 and
Elizabeth J Joy 3, but Virtue was absent! At the time of the 1861 census,
Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant 45 was living with the Loader family in North
St. (less than one mile away). This household consisted of William Loader 30 ag
lab, Maria Loader 25, Edward Loader 7, Frederick Loader 5, William Loader 3,
Henry Loader 11mth and Virtue Joy 45, nurse. As Virtue’s relationship to the
family was listed as “nurse’, she must have been there (probably temporarily)
to help care for their young baby who was only 11 months old.
NOTE: Although our Loader family for the most part resided in Dorset,
William Loader and his family may be related to them as Broad Chalke, Wiltshire
is only 15 miles from Moor Crichel in Dorset where most of our Loaders were
living at that time.
 |
| 1871 Census: Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant, Henry Joy & children and grandchild living in Bowerchalke |
 |
| 1881 Census: Henry & Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant & grand-daughter Ann Scammel |
Henry Joy died in 1888 leaving Virtue a widow by the time of the
1891 census. At that time she was 75 and living in Bowerchalke with her
grandson James Penny 19 ag lab, and gave her occupation as midwife. Virtue Joy
nee Scammel nee Chant survived to the new century and died in 1900 aged 83. Her
grandson James Penny was the son of her daughter Virtue Penny nee Scammel.
67.8c Mary Ann Scammel (1847-1875)
According to the EDI Mary Ann Scammel was born around Mar 1847 to James and Virtue Scammel nee Chant with her birth registered at Wilton (about 6 miles from Broad Chalke). Sadly her father James Scammel died in 1850 (registered at Wilton in Oct) at the age of 36. In 1851 Mary Ann was 3 years old and living at 'The Marsh', Broad Chalke with her widowed mother, Virtue Scammel 37, pauper, and her siblings Henry Chant 12 plough boy, Virtue Scammel 7 scholar and James Scammel 1. They were all born in Broad Chalke.
In 1861 Mary Ann Scammel 14 was living in her parent's home in South St, Broad Chalk. At the time of the census, the occupants of the house were her step father Henry Joy 40 ag lab and siblings and half siblings Henry Chant 22 ag lab, Virtue Scammel 18 ag lab, Mary Ann Scammel 14, James Scammel 12, Harriett Joy 6 and Elizabeth J Joy 3. Her mother Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant was temporarily absent working as a nurse (see above).
When she was 19 in early 1866, Mary Ann Scammel had a child named Ann Scammel out of wedlock at Bowerchalke. James Chalke was probably the father as he married Mary Ann later that year.
On 22 Sep 1866 Mary Ann Scammel 20 married James Chalke 21 at Broad Chalke. Witnesses were brother Henry James Chant and James' sister Mary Jane Chalke. Only the witnesses signed their names. Sadly James Chalke died in early 1868 at the age of 23 with the death registered at nearby Wilton. By 1871, Mary Ann Chalke nee Scammel was back living with her family, who had moved 2 miles to Quidham St. Bowerchalke. The family consisted of Henry Joy 51 ag lab and carter, Virtue Joy 54, Harriet Joy 16 farm servant, Elizabeth Joy 13, Mary Ann Chalke nee Scammel 24, widow and Mary Ann’s daughter Ann Chalke 4.
Mary Ann Chalke nee Scammel remarried (not long after the census) on 15 Jul 1871. Her age was listed as 25. The wedding took place in Broad Chalke and her new husband was John West 23. One of the witnesses was half sister Harriet Joy. The fact that the fathers of the couple were listed as James Scammel and Thomas West confirms that it was Mary Ann Scammel b1847 who married James Chalke. It appears that Mary Ann West nee Chalke nee Scammel died in the 1875, and that her death was registered at Winton , Five years later (almost to the day since his earlier wedding) on 13 Jul 1876 John West 27 married Sarah Ann King at Broad Chalke. The fathers were listed as Thomas West and John King. John West died in 1913 with his death registered at Winton also.
NOTE: There was another Mary Ann Scammel (b1851 Broad Chalke) who was a cousin of the above Mary Ann and the records of these women can easily be confused. The other Mary Ann was the daughter of George Scammel and Emily Feltham and married James Selwood b1849. Her father (George Scammel b1829) was a brother of James Scammel b1816; the father of Mary Ann Scammel b1847. (For information about Mary Ann Scammel b1851 see 55.9)
In 1861 Mary Ann Scammel 14 was living in her parent's home in South St, Broad Chalk. At the time of the census, the occupants of the house were her step father Henry Joy 40 ag lab and siblings and half siblings Henry Chant 22 ag lab, Virtue Scammel 18 ag lab, Mary Ann Scammel 14, James Scammel 12, Harriett Joy 6 and Elizabeth J Joy 3. Her mother Virtue Joy nee Scammel nee Chant was temporarily absent working as a nurse (see above).
When she was 19 in early 1866, Mary Ann Scammel had a child named Ann Scammel out of wedlock at Bowerchalke. James Chalke was probably the father as he married Mary Ann later that year.
 |
| Mary Ann Scammel married James Chalke on 22 Sep 1866 at Broad Chalke |
 |
| Mary Ann Chalk nee Scammel married John West on 15 Jul 1871 at Broad Chalke. |
NOTE: There was another Mary Ann Scammel (b1851 Broad Chalke) who was a cousin of the above Mary Ann and the records of these women can easily be confused. The other Mary Ann was the daughter of George Scammel and Emily Feltham and married James Selwood b1849. Her father (George Scammel b1829) was a brother of James Scammel b1816; the father of Mary Ann Scammel b1847. (For information about Mary Ann Scammel b1851 see 55.9)
68.0 Chant Family to GGGGGGGGGGGGF John Chant b1590
The Chant family tree can be traced back into the 1500’s.
However, as there is much less information available and the ability to cross
check facts is limited, the chance of errors is greatly increased. The Chant famiy seem to have come from hamlets in Wiltshire including Broad Chalke, Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, Mere and Stowell in Somerset. Most of these locations are under 20 miles from each other.
68.1 GGGGGGGP John Chant (1713-?) & Mary Harvey
(1721-1776)
GGGGGGF John
Chant’s b1744 (see 60.0) baptism registration, listed his parents as GGGGGGGP John Chant b1713 and Mary (Harvey).
Father GGGGGGGP
John Chant was baptised on 3 Jan 1713 at St Martin with St Mary's, Salisbury (9m
from Broad Chalke). His mother Margaret came from Millford; a suburb of present day Salisbury.
 |
| John Chant was baptised 3 Jan 1713 by parents Benjamin & Margaret Chant (of Milford) |
 |
| John Chant married Mary Harvey 12 Oct 1741 at St Thomas, Salisbury |
John b1713 married GGGGGGGM
Mary Harvey on 12 Oct 1741 at St Thomas, Salisbury. Mary was probably born around 1721 in Wiltshire. The couple must have moved 8 miles to Broad Chalke early in their marriage because that is where their two known children were born; GGGGGGF John Chant baptised on
25 Mar 1744 and Mary Chaunt baptised on 23 Oct 1748. The date of GGGGGGGF John
Chant’s death is unknown but GGGGGGGM
Mary Harvey died on 20 Aug 1776 at Broad Chalke.
68.2 GGGGGGGGF Benjamin Chant (1687-1749) & Margaret Dove
The father of GGGGGGGF
John Chant b1713 was GGGGGGGGF
Benjamin Chant. He was born on 23 Dec 1687, in Fisherton Anger and
married Margaret or Mary Dove. Two possible children
are GGGGGGF John Chant
baptised in 1713 and Mary Chant baptised on 29 October 1718, at St Martin,
Salisbury. GGGGGGGGF Benjamin
died on 5 Feb 1749 at Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire at the age of 59.
68.3 GGGGGGGGGF Ambrose Chant (1661-1730) & Grace Goddard
(1661-?)
Ambrose
was born on 17 Mar 1661 at Fisherton De la Mere, Wiltshire. His first marriage took place about 1681 to Grace Goddard in Fisherton
Anger (now a suburb of Salisbury). There
were ten possible children out of this marriage:- Ann Chant born in 27 Feb
1683, Ambrose Chant, weaver b13 Dec 1685, Mary Chant b1686, GGGGGGGGF Benjamin Chant b23 Dec
1687, Mary Chant b21 Mar 1690, Elizabeth Chant b19 Jan 1693, Fame Chant b1693,
Grace Chant b24 Feb 1694, Isaac Chant b12 Mar 1697 and Joan Chant b17 Jul 1698.
All children were born in Fisherton Anger.
GGGGGGGGF Ambrose was buried on 27 Oct 1730 at Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire.
GGGGGGGGF Ambrose was buried on 27 Oct 1730 at Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire.
68.4 GGGGGGGGGGF Isaac Chant (1630-1662) & Ann Turner
(1627-?)
Isaac Chant
was baptised on 16 May 1630, in Stowell, Somerset (28m from Broad Chalke). He
married Ann Turner on 26
February 1654 in Mere, Wiltshire (20m from Broad Chalke). Their three children
were John Chant b1655, Hugh Chant b1658 and GGGGGGGGF Ambrose Chant b1661. All children were born in
Mere. Isaac died on 15
October 1662, aged about 32, and was buried on 15 October 1662 in Mere,
Wiltshire.
68.5 GGGGGGGGGGGF John Chant (1608-1645) & Edith Cuff
(1608-?)
John Chant
was born in 1608 in Wiltshire and married Edith
Cuff on 22 April 1629 at Milbourne Port (27m from Broad Chalke) and had
the following children: GGGGGGGGGGF
Isaac Chant b16 May 1630, Abraham Chant, John Chant b1634, Christopher
Chant b1636, Hannah Chant b1637, Robert Chant b2 Feb 1640, Anna Chant b16 Feb
1642 and Hannah Chant b1644. All children were born in Stowell. In 1645, John
was aged about 37 and his occupation was listed as joiner. GGGGGGGGGGGF John died in 1645,
aged about 37 and was buried on 25 June 1645 in Stowell, Somerset.
68.6 GGGGGGGGGGGGF John Chant (c1590-1641) & Unknown wife
John Chant
was born before 1590. The name of his wife is unknown. The only known child was
GGGGGGGGGGGF John Chant born
in 1608. GGGGGGGGGGGGF John Chant
c1590 died in 1641 and was buried on 13 December 1641 in Stowell, Somerset.
69.0 Reserved for Future use
No comments:
Post a Comment