Return to Contents Page


THE BODDY, PONTING & WILLIAMS FAMILIES OF CREDITON
AND
 BRISTOL, ENGLAND

   designed & written by Mike Matthews © 2000-2011
No material contained in these pages may be used elsewhere without prior permission.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

Meaning Of The Name

Samuel BODDY (1795-1882)

Emma BODDY (1822-1908)

James BODDY (1824-1859)

James Samuel BODDY (1857-1919)

Mary Ann BODDY (1878-1957)

John PONTING (1767-1824)

John PONTING (1805-1860)

George WILLIAMS (1834-1902)

George WILLIAMS (1855-1889)

William WILLIAMS (b. 1873)

Introduction

The BODDY family of Crediton and Bristol was the first of my ancestral lines about which I found out any substantial information, and this was entirely due to my half-cousin VERONICA SOLOMONS, who had already undertaken a considerable amount of research into this family. They were a family of woolcombers and boot-makers who moved to Bristol in the mid 19th century, and this is their story  ...

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

While I have been able to dig up a few titbits of information about the BODDYs, notably extracts from the various censuses, the vast majority of research into this family was carried out by my half-1st-cousin once removed VERONICA "RONI" SOLOMONS, and this website would not have been possible without her assistance.  I would also like to thank my cousins LESLEY HAWORTH, GILL CLARKE, ROY CROSIER and LINDA BIGG for their information about the BODDY and WILLIAMS families, and MICHAEL DIAPER for providing details about Henry BODDY and Mary FORD. I am also grateful to PAUL VIVASH, MAGGIE PERKINS, SANDIE FRANCHI and DEBORAH O'BRIEN for providing me with extracts from various sources with regard to the derivation of the name "BODDY". I am also indebted to the members of the Gloucester, Bristol & Somerset and Devon Genealogy Mailing Lists. The photos on this page come from my own family album, with the exception of the picture of Crediton Parish Church, which was kindly donated by RICHARD and GORDON DERRICK. Much of the information on this page has no primary source and while I believe that it is accurate, I cannot take responsibility for any errors or omissions. I will be updating this page regularly as new information comes to light.

Meaning Of The Name

PATRICK HANKS, RICHARD COATES and PETER McCLURE in "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland" and Dr BASIL COTTLE in "The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames" agree that BODDY is from the Old English "bodig" meaning "trunk", "chest" or "frame" and originally implied someone with a large or striking physique. Early examples include Hugh BODY (Assize Rolls, Yorkshire 1219), Richard BODY (Feet of Fines, Essex 1277) and Roger BODY (Assize Rolls, Staffordshire 1340).  However, JAMES PENNETHORNE HUGHES in "Is Thy Name Wart?" disputes the notion that BODY derives from a nickname and adds that it is instead a diminutive of the once extremely popular personal name "Baldwin". This idea is supported by C.W. BARDSLEY in "The Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames" who says that BODY derives from "Baud" or "Bodd" meaning "son of Baldwin". HUGHES adds that BODY appears most commonly as a suffix, in such names as FREEBODY, GOODBODY and PRETTYBODY. In all these "body" just means "person". HANKS, COATES and McCLURE state that BODY was also a variant of BODE, an occupational name for a herald or messenger from the Middle English "bode", with the spelling altered to preserve a disyllabic pronunciation.

According to the "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland", WILLIAMS is a variant of the WILLIAM with a genitival (i.e. possessive) or superfluous "-s". The surname WILLIAM is a relationship name (i.e. derived from a relative, typically the father) from the Middle English personal name WILLIAM which in turn is a form of the Continental Germanic "Willihelm", composed of the elements "wil" meaning "will" or "desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection". Early examples include Thomas WILLAMES (Assize Rolls, Staffordshire, 1307), Robert WILLIAMES (Assize Rolls, 1309), Thomas WILLIAM (Subsidy Rolls, Suffolk, 1237) and Philip WILLIAMES (Feet of Fines, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, 1391).


Crediton Parish Church
(click image to enlarge)

Samuel BODDY (1795-1882)

Samuel BODDY was baptised in Crediton, Devon on 30th January 1795 and was the eldest son of James BODDY and Mary SQUIRE. On 31st January 1819 he married Mary PARK in Crediton. She was baptised in Crediton on 20th May 1798 and was the daughter of John PARK and Martha ARNELL. Samuel and Mary had ten children together, all born in Crediton - Thirza, born c. 1819; William, born c. 1820; Emma, born c. 1822; James, born c. 1824; Samuel, born c. 1827; John, born c. 1830; Mary Ann, born c. 1833; George, born c. 1835; Henry, born c. 1838 and Edwin, born c. 1841. Samuel was a woolcomber and his wife Mary was serge weaver. Woolcombing was a skilled trade that usually required a seven-year apprenticeship. It involved drawing tresses of tangled wool through heated combs to lay the fibres into parallel strands so they could be more easily drawn out for spinning. Samuel and Mary lived in St Lawrence Green, Crediton, as seen here in the 1841, 1851 and 1871 censuses:

St Lawrence Green, Crediton, Devon (1841)

Samuel BODDY aged 45 Woolcomber born Devon
Mary BODDY aged 40 Serge Weaver born Devon
Thirza BODDY aged 20 Serge Weaver born Devon
William BODDY aged 20 Woolcomber born Devon
James BODDY aged 15 Shoemaker's Apprentice born Devon
Samuel BODDY aged 13 Shoemaker's Apprentice born Devon
John BODDY aged 11 born Devon
Mary BODDY aged 7 born Devon
George BODDY aged 5 born Devon
Henry BODDY aged 3 born Devon

St Lawrence Green, Crediton, Devon (1851)

Samuel BODDY aged 56 Woolcarder born Crediton, Devon
Mary BODDY wife 52 Serge Weaver born Crediton, Devon

George BODDY son 15 Cordwainer born Crediton, Devon

Henry BODDY son 12 Woolcarder born Crediton, Devon
Ellen HORN visitor 6 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

St Lawrence Green, Crediton, Devon (1871)

Samuel BODDY aged 77 Former Wool Comber born Crediton, Devon
Mary BODDY wife 73 Former Serge Weaver born Crediton, Devon
William BODDY lodger 21 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon

Mary BODDY (nee PARK) died on 13th March 1879 in Crediton. In 1881 Samuel BODDY was living in Kiddicott, Crediton with his grandson Edwin:

Kiddicott, Crediton, Devon

Samuel BODDY widower aged 86 Late Wool Comber born Crediton, Devon
Edwin BODDY grandson 13 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

Samuel BODDY died on 7th January 1882 in Crediton. The Crediton Chronicle declared that: "The death of Mr. Samuel Boddy at the age of 89 removes the last link of the once prosperous wool trade of Crediton" while the Western Times said that Samuel was "the last of the representatives of the industry, now decayed, and which at the opening of the century the village was so famous."

William BODDY (b. 1820) married Eliza UPRIGHT on 25th December 1842 in Crediton. She was born on 6th January 1822 in Crediton. William and Eliza had at least five children together - William Henry, born 1849 in Crediton; Emma, born 1852 in North Tawton, Devon; Edwin, born 1st December 1855 in North Tawton; Eliza, born 1861 in North Tawton and Elizabeth Ann, born 1865 in Crediton. Like his father, William BODDY was a woolcomber, while his wife Eliza was a dressmaker. They lived in Okehampton Street, North Tawton, as seen here in the 1851 census:

Okehampton Street, North Tawton, Devon

William BODDY aged 30 Woolcomber born Crediton, Devon
Eliza BODDY wife 29 Dressmaker born Crediton, Devon
William H. BODDY son 2 born Crediton, Devon

William BODDY died on 4th July 1866 in Crediton. In 1881 his widow Eliza was living in Mill Street, Crediton, as seen here in the census for that year:

Mill Street, Crediton, Devon

Eliza BODDY widow aged 60 Dressmaker born Crediton, Devon
Edwin BODDY son 25 Stone Mason born North Tawton, Devon
Eliza BODDY daughter 20 Dressmaker born North Tawton, Devon
Elizabeth Ann BODDY daughter 16 born Crediton, Devon

Samuel BODDY (b. 1827) married Louisa BARRY on 2nd September 1849 in Crediton. She was born in Bow, Devon in about 1829 and was the daughter of William BARRY. Samuel and Louisa had at least ten children together, all born in Crediton - William, born c. 1849; Mary Ann, born c. 1850; Emma, born c. 1853; Esther, born c. 1855; Henry, born c. 1858; Elizabeth, born c. 1860; Bertha, born c. 1863; Lucy, born c. 1866; Edwin, born c. 1868, and Louisa, born c. 1873. This is how the family appears in the 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

High Street, Crediton, Devon (1851)

Samuel BODDY aged 24 Cordwainer born Crediton, Devon
Louisa BODDY wife 24 Laundress born Bow, Devon

M.A. BODDY daughter 1 born Crediton, Devon

St Lawrence Green, Crediton, Devon (1861)

Samuel BODDY aged 34 Cordwainer born Crediton, Devon
Louisa BODDY wife 31 Laundress born Bow, Devon
William BODDY son 12 Boot Closer born Crediton, Devon
Mary Ann BODDY daughter 10 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Emma BODDY daughter 8 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Esther BODDY daugnter 6 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Henry BODDY son 3 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Elizabeth BODDY daughter 11 months born Crediton, Devon

Paradise, Crediton, Devon (1871)

Samuel BODDY aged 43 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
Louisa BODDY wife 43 Laundress born Bow, Devon
Emma BODDY daughter 19 Domestic Servant (Cook) born Crediton, Devon
Henry BODDY son 13 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Elizabeth BODDY daughter 10 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Bertha BODDY daughter 8 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Lucy BODDY daughter 5 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Edwin BODDY son 3 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

Paradise, Crediton, Devon (1881)

Samuel BODDY aged 52 Bill Poster born Crediton, Devon
Louisa BODDY wife 52 Laundress born Bow, Devon
Harry BODDY son 23 Shoe Clicker born Crediton, Devon
Louisa BODDY daughter 8 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

Louisa BODDY (nee BARRY) died in about 1892. In 1901 Samuel was still in living at Paradise, Crediton, with his daughter Bertha:

Paradise, Crediton, Devon

Samuel BODDY widow aged 72 Bill Poster born Crediton, Devon
Bertha HOOPER daughter 38 Laundress born Crediton, Devon
Hetty HOOPER granddaughter 15 Factory Hand/Sweet Maker born Crediton, Devon
Arthur HOOPER grandson 5 born Crediton, Devon

Samuel died on 12th April 1917 and his death was reported in the Western Times on the 14th April: "News of the death of Mr. Samuel Boddy, which occurred at the residence of his daughter, 'Paradise', Crediton, on Thursday, will be learnt with regret by numerous friends in the town and district. Mr. Boddy, who was just over 90 years of age, up to the time he was taken ill last November, was seen daily out for a walk to pay his visit to the Liberal Club, of which he was an enthusiastic supporter. In his younger day he took an active part in Liberalism. He was a local newspaper correspondent for a great number of years. It will be particularly remembered that on the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd George and Miss Lloyd George to Crediton to open the new Liberal Club, Mr. Boddy, being one of the oldest among the number, presented the present Premier with a letter press of Devonshire polished granite as a token of gratitude from the old-age pensioners of the town."

John BODDY (b. 1830) was visiting the ELLIS family in Lapford, Devon in 1851, as seen here in the census for that year:

Malisters Winston, Lapford, Devon

Richard ELLIS aged 36 Innkeeper Butcher & Farmer born Lapford, Devon
Charlotte ELLIS wife 25 born Chawleigh, Devon
John ELLIS son 6 Scholar born Lapford, Devon
Elizabeth ELLIS daughter 4 Scholar born Lapford, Devon
Michael ELLIS son 2 Scholar born Lapford, Devon
Maria ELLIS daughter 1 month born Lapford, Devon
John BODDY visitor 21 Cordwainder born Crediton, Devon
Henry BORN servant 16 House Servant born Winkleigh, Devon
Mary KNOTT servant 15 House Servant born Chawleigh, Devon

John married Hester BUCKINGHAM in Crediton in 1853. She was born in Crediton in about 1831. John and Hester had at least three children together, all born in Crediton - Laura, born 1862; Albert, born 1863 and Charles, born 1872. In 1881 the family was living in Kiddicott, Crediton, where John worked as a boot and shoemaker, as seen here in the census for that year:

Kiddicott, Crediton, Devon

John BODDY aged 50 Boot & Shoe Maker Emp 1 Man & 2 Boys born Crediton, Devon
Hester BODDY wife 49 Laundress born Crediton, Devon
Laura A. BODDY daughter 19 Laundress born Crediton, Devon
Albert E. BODDY son 18 Boot Maker born Crediton, Devon
Charles H. BODDY son 9 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

John BODDY died in Crediton in 1883.

George BODDY (b. 1835) married Ellen BEER in 1857. She was born in Upton Helions, Devon in about 1836 and was the daughter of William and Mary BEER. George and Ellen had at least eight children together, all born in Crediton - Lucy, born c. 1858; Hannah, born c. 1860; James, born c. 1862; Emma Jane, born c. 1864; William, born c. 1866; George, born c. 1868; Charles, born c. 1872 and Ellen, born c. 1876. This is how the family appears in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

High Street, Crediton, Devon (1861)

George BODDY aged 26 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
Ellen BODDY wife 26 born Upton Helions, Devon
Lucy BODDY daughter 3
born Crediton, Devon
Hannah BODDY daughter 5 months born Crediton, Devon

Park Street, Crediton, Devon (1871)

George BODDY aged 36 Cordwainer born Crediton, Devon
Ellen BODDY wife 36 born Sandford, Devon
Lucy BODDY daughter 13 General Servant born Crediton, Devon
Hannah BODDY daughter 10 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
James BODDY son 9
Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Emma BODDY daughter 6 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
William BODDY son 4 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
George BODDY son 3 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

Park Street, Crediton, Devon (1881)

George BODDY aged 46 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
Ellen BODDY wife 46 Formerly Servant born Sandford, Devon
James BODDY son 19 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
William BODDY son 15 Boot Cutter born Crediton, Devon
George BODDY son 14 Boot Finisher born Crediton, Devon
Charles BODDY son 8 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Ellen BODDY daughter 4 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

George BODDY died in Crediton in about 1882. This is how his widow Ellen appears in the 1891 census:

Cherry Gardon, Crediton, Devon

Ellen BODDY widow 55 born Crediton, Devon
James BODDY son 29 born Crediton, Devon (Paralysed)
Charles BODDY 18 Boot Finisher born Crediton, Devon
Ellen BODDY daughter 14 Boot Machinist born Crediton, Devon

Ellen BODDY (nee BEER) died in Crediton in 1920.

Henry BODDY (b. 1838) married Mary FORD on 22nd May 1891 in The Register Office, Bristol. Mary was born in Bedminster, Bristol in about 1839 and was the daughter of George FORD, a shipwright. Prior to their marriage, Henry and Mary had at least nine children together - Albert, born c. 1858 in St Paul, Bristol; Sidney, born c. 1861 in Bedminster, Bristol; Alice Jane, born c. 1864 in Bristol; Laura Ellen, born 27th October 1865 at 20 Charlotte Street, Bedminster; Lavinia, born c. 1868 in Bristol; Florence Elizabeth, born c. 1869 in Crediton; Henry, born c. 1872 in Crediton; Rosetta, born c. 1875 in Crediton, and Ada Louise, born c. 1878 in Crediton. This is how Henry and Mary appear in the 1881 and 1911 censuses:

Kiddicott, Crediton, Devon (1881)

Henry BODDY aged 42 Shoe Maker born Crediton, Devon
Mary BODDY wife 41 Formerly Tailoress born Bristol, Gloucester
Alice BODDY daughter 17 Boot Machinist born Bristol, Gloucester
Laura E. BODDY daughter 15 Boot Machinist born Bristol, Gloucester
Lavinia BODDY daughter 13 Boot Machinist born Bristol, Gloucester
Florence BODDY daughter 11 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Harry BODDY son 9 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Rosetta BODDY daughter 6 Scholar born Crediton, Devon
Ada BODDY daughter 3 Scholar born Crediton, Devon

8 Kiddicott, Crediton, Devon (1911)

Henry BODDY aged 73 Retired Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
Mary BODDY wife 72 born Bedminster, Bristol
Harry BODDY son 39 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon

Emma BODDY (1822-1908)

Emma BODDY was baptised in Crediton on 10th Novemeber 1822 and was the daughter of Samuel BODDY and Mary PARK. She married Thomas GRIBBLE on 11th July 1847 in the Register Office, Crediton. Thomas was born on 15th August 1827 in Crediton and was the son of Thomas GRIBBLE and Ann RICCARD. Thomas and Emma had at least four children together - John, born c. 1848 in Crediton; George, born 20th December 1849 in Preston Street, St Sidwell, Exeter; Edwin, born c. 1861 in St Pancras, Middlesex; and Mary, born c. 1867 in St Pancras. In 1851 the family was living in Preston Street, Exeter where Thomas worked as a smith, as seen here in the census for that year:

Preston Street, Stone Court, St Mary, Exeter, Devon

Thomas GRIBBLE aged 24 Smith born Crediton
Emma GRIBBLE wife 27 Bootbinder born Crediton
John GRIBBLE son 3 Scholar born Crediton
George GRIBBLE son 1 born Exeter

By 1881 the family had moved to London:

16 Henry St, London, Middlesex

Thomas GRIBBLE aged 52 Smith born Crediton, Devon
Emma GRIBBLE wife 56 born Crediton, Devon
Edwin GRIBBLE son 20 Smith born St Pancras, Middlesex
Mary GRIBBLE daughter 14 Scholar born St Pancras, Middlesex

Thomas GRIBBLE died in 1902 and his widow Emma died on 13th October 1908 at St Pancras Infirmary South, London.

George GRIBBLE (b. 1849) married Margaret BOLTON. Margaret was born in about 1850 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. George and Margaret had at least seven children together - Lilian, Violet, George, born c. 1871 in St Pancras, Middlesex; Jessie Maria, born 30th April 1873 in Somerstown, St Pancras; Emma Maria, born c. 1876 in St Pancras; Thomas, born c. 1879 in St Pancras, and Annie, born c. 1881 in St Pancras. In 1881 the family was living in London, as seen here in the census for that year:

1 Brook Place, London, Middlesex

George GRIBBLE aged 31 Bedstead Smith In Factory born Exeter, Devon
Margaret GRIBBLE wife 31 born St Nicholas, Newcastle On Tyne
George GRIBBLE son 9 Scholar born St Pancras, Middlesex
Jessie Maria GRIBBLE daughter 8 Scholar born St Pancras, Middlesex
Emma M. GRIBBLE daughter 4 born St Pancras, Middlesex
Thos. Wm. GRIBBLE son 1 born St Pancras, Middlesex

Edwin GRIBBLE (b. 1861) married Mary Anne HISCOCK in 1882 in St Pancras. Mary was born in St Pancras in about 1864. Edwin and Mary had ten children together, all born in St Pancras - Thomas Edwin, born c. 1884; Annie Lilian, born 10th April 1885; Florence, born c. 1886; Rosina, born c. 1888; Gertrude May, born c. 1892; William Henry, born c. 1893; George Ernest, born c. 1899; Joseph Arthur, born 14th November 1904; Edith, born 24th April 1906, and Dorothy Violet, born c. 1908. Edwin worked as a bedstead smith.

James BODDY (1824-1859)

James BODDY was baptised in Crediton on 24th October 1824 and was the son of Samuel BODDY and Mary PARK. He moved to Bristol in the mid 19th century and on 31st January 1848 he married Mary Jane THOMAS in St James, Bristol. Mary was born in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol in about 1825 and was the daughter of John and Sarah LEWIS and the widow of William THOMAS, with whom she had at least two children, Sarah Maria, born 1st November 1844 at 2 Water Street, St Paul, Bristol, and Cornelius John, baptised 4th October 1846 in St Philip & Jacob, died c. 1847.

James and Mary had five children together, all born in St Paul, Bristol - Emma Jane, born c. 1848; Mary Ann, born c. 1850; William Henry, born c. 1853; James Samuel, born 7th April 1857, and Henrietta Thirza, born c. 1859. In 1851 the family was living in Newfoundland Street, St Paul, where James worked as a shoemaker, as seen here in the census for that year:

Newfoundland Street, St Paul, Bristol

James BODDY aged 26 Shoemaker born Crediton, Devon
Mary Jane BODDY wife 25 born Bristol
Emma BODDY daughter 2 born Bristol
Mary Ann BODDY daughter 6 months born Bristol

James BODDY died of typhus and pneumonia on 10th January 1859 in Dale Street, St Paul, Bristol. In 1861 the widowed Mary Jane BODDY was still living in Dale Street with her children:

25 Dale Street, St Paul, Bristol

Mary Jane BODDY widow aged 34 Sempstress born St Paul, Bristol
Sarah Maria THOMAS daughter 16 Servant born St Paul, Bristol
Emma Jane BODDY daughter 12 Scholar born St Paul, Bristol
Mary Ann BODDY daughter 10 Scholar born St Paul, Bristol
William Henry BODDY son 8 Scholar born St Paul, Bristol
James Samuel BODDY son 4 Scholar born St Paul, Bristol
Henrietta Thirsa BODDY daughter 2 born St Paul, Bristol
Sarah LEWIS mother 66 born Wales
Jemima JONES lodger 48 Laundress born St Philips, Bristol

In 1867 Mary had a child by William GILES, a tailor - Frederick William, born 7th May in Eugene Street, Bristol. On the birth certificate Mary called herself Mary Jane GILES, but there is no indication that she married William, and subsequent censuses show her still with the surname BODDY, all of which suggests that Frederick was illegitimate. Frederick later went by the name Frederick Giles BODDY. This is how Mary and her children appear in the 1871 census:

46 Eugene Street, St James, Bristol

Mary BODDY widow 45 Tailoress born St Paul, Bristol
Emma BODDY daughter 22 Tailoress born Bristol
Mary BODDY daughter 20 Tailoress born Bristol
William BODDY son 18 Shoemaker born Bristol
James BODDY son 14 Grocers Errand Boy born Bristol
Thirsa BODDY daughter 12 Scholar born Bristol
Fredk BODDY son 3 born St James, Bristol

By 1881 Mary had moved to the St Werburgh area of Bristol:

3 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol

Mary BODY widow aged 55 Tailoress born Bristol, Gloucester
William BODY son 28 Boot Maker born Bristol, Gloucester
Frederick BODY son 14 Errand Boy born Bristol, Gloucester

Mary Jane BODDY (nee LEWIS) died of apoplexy on 8th November 1887 at 32 York Street, Mina Road, Bristol.

William Henry BODDY (b. 1852) married Jane HALL in Bristol in 1885. Jane was born in Devizes, Wiltshire in about 1843 and was the widow of Charles OXLEY. This is how William and Jane appear in the 1891 census (the children listed were all born to Jane and her first husband):

72 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol

William BODDY aged 40 Boot Finisher born St Paul, Bristol
Jane BODDY wife 48 Laundress born Devizes, Wiltshire
Edith BODDY daughter 24 Laundress born Wells, Somerset
Thomas BODDY son 17 General Labourer born St Simon, Bristol
Selina BODDY daughter 15 Laundress born St Nicholas, Bristol
Frank BODDY son 13 Errand Boy born Castle Precincts, Bristol

Jane BODDY (nee HALL) died in Bristol in about 1895. William BODDY died in Bristol on 13th March 1898.

Henrietta Thirza BODDY (b. 1859) married William Henry MAGGS on 14th June 1880 in St Paul Parish Church, Bristol. William was born in Portland Square, Bristol in about 1856 and was the son of John Francis MAGGS and Ann WHITE. Henrietta and William had at least seven children together, all born in Bristol - Gracina, born 6th July 1880; John Francis, born c. 1881, died 21st December 1883; William Henry, born 29th March 1884; George Leopold, baptised 6th October 1886 in St Werburgh;  Lilian, baptised 15th May 1889 in St Werburgh; Rosina, born 5th April 1892, and Walter James, baptised 13th May 1896. This is how the family appear in the 1881-1911 censuses (the 1901 census incorrectly shows Gracina as Georgina, and the 1911 census shows that she became deaf at the age of 27):

7a James Street, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1881)

William MAGGS aged 24 Wood Carver born Bristol, Gloucester
Thirza MAGGS wife 22 born Bristol, Gloucester
Gracina MAGGS daughter 9 months born Bristol, Gloucester

12 Albert Terrace, Mina Road, St Werburgh, Bristol (1891)

William MAGGS aged 34 Wood Carver born St Paul, Bristol
Thirza MAGGS wife 32 born St Paul, Bristol
William MAGGS son 7 Scholar born St Werburgh, Bristol
George MAGGS son 4
born St Werburgh, Bristol
Lillian MAGGS daughter 1 born St Werburgh, Bristol

2 Park View, Mina Road, St Werburgh, Bristol (1901)

William MAGGS aged 43 Wood Carver born Bristol
Theresa MAGGS wife 43 bornBristol
Georgina MAGGS daughter 20 Packer at Cocoa Factory born Bristol
William MAGGS son 17 Wood Carver born Bristol
Leopold MAGGS son 14
Printer born Bristol
Lilian MAGGS daughter 11 Scholar born Bristol
Rose MAGGS daughter 8 Scholar
born Bristol
Walter MAGGS son 4 Scholar born Bristol

70 Mina Road, St Paul, Bristol (1911)

William Henry MAGGS aged 55 Wood Carver born Bristol
Theresa MAGGS wife 53 born St Paul, Bristol
Gracina MAGGS daughter 30 Fancy Chocolate Packer born St Paul, Bristol
William Henry MAGGS son 27 Wood Carver born St Paul, Bristol
Lillian MAGGS daughter 21 Fancy Chocolate Packer born St Paul, Bristol
Rosina MAGGS daughter 18 Feather Dresser
born St Paul, Bristol

William Henry MAGGS died on 29th May 1912 aged 56 and was buried on 5th June at Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol. His widow Henrietta Thirza outlived him by more than 30 years. The 1939 Register shows her living at 293 Newfoundland Road, Bristol with her unmarried children William and Rosina and grandson George, who appears to have been an illegitimate son of one of Henrietta's daughters. Henrietta died on 6th October 1943 and was buried on 11th October at Greenbank.

James Samuel BODDY (1857-1919)

James Samuel BODDY was born on 7th April 1857 in 8 Dale Street, St Paul, Bristol. He was the son of James BODDY and Mary Jane LEWIS. He married Mary Ann WILLIAMS on 24th April 1878 in The Register Office, Bristol. She was born on 17th July 1859 in the Paddock, Bedminster, Bristol and was the daughter of George WILLIAMS and Mary Ann PONTING.

James and Mary had nine children together, all born in Bristol - Mary Ann, born 16th June 1878 at 2 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob; William Giles, born c. 1879; James Samuel, born 10th July 1880 at 3 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road; Theresa, born 24th September 1882 at 2 Pearce's Place, Holton Street, Ashley; William Henry, born 4th July 1884 at 32 James Street, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol; Emma Jane, born 26th January 1886 at 32 James Street, died 8th August 1887; Rosina, born 14th February 1888; Sarah, born 30th July 1890, and Flora, born 4th May 1892. In 1881 the family was living at 3 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road, Bristol, where James worked as a bootmaker, as seen here in the census for that year:

3 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol

James S. BODDY aged 23 Boot Maker born Bristol, Gloucester
Mary A. BODDY wife 23 born Bristol, Gloucester
Mary A. BODDY daughter 2 born Bristol, Gloucester
James S. BODDY son 8 months born Bristol, Gloucester

The family later moved to James Street, as seen here in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses:

46 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol (1891)

James S. BODDY aged 37 Boot Finisher born St Paul, Bristol
Mary BODDY wife 35 born Bedminster, Bristol
Mary BODDY daughter 12 Scholar born James St, Bristol
James BODDY son 10 Scholar born James St, Bristol
Theresa BODDY daughter 7 Scholar born St Paul, Bristol
William BODDY son 6 Scholar born James St, Bristol
Rosina BODDY daughter 3 born James St, Bristol
Sarah BODDY daughter 7 months born James St, Bristol

46 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol (1901)

James BODDY aged 44 Boot Finisher born Bristol
Mary BODDY wife 43 born Bristol
James BODDY son 20 General Haulier born Bristol
William BODDY son 16 Confectioners Assistant born Bristol
Rosina BODDY daughter 13 born Bristol
Sarah BODDY daughter 10 born Bristol
Flora BODDY daughter 8 born Bristol

46 James Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1911)

James BODDY aged 54 Boot Finisher born Bristol
Mary Ann BODDY wife 52 born Bristol
James BODDY son 30 Haulier born Bristol
William BODDY son 26 Confectioner born Bristol
Flora BODDY daughter 18 General Servant (Domestic) born Bristol

James Samuel BODDY died on 30th March 1919 in the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This is how his widow Mary Ann appears in the 1921 census:

46 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol

Mary Ann BODDY widow aged 65 years Home Duties & Charwoman (Mrs Downs, 50 Logan Road) born Bristol
Rosina BODDY daughter 33 years 3 months Pottery Hand (Unemployed) born Bristol
Sarah BODDY daughter 30 years 11 months Home Duties born Bristol
James Samuel BODDY son 40 years 10 months Horse Driver (Messrs. Harris & Co Metal Merchants, Farrs Lane, Narrow Quay) born Bristol

Mary Ann BODDY (nee Williams) died on 12th July 1940 at 46 James Street.


Mary Ann BODDY (nee WILLIAMS)
(click image to view)

Theresa BODDY (b. 1883) was known as "Triss". She worked as a domestic servant for the INGRAM family in Redland, as seen here in the 1901 census:

86 Redland Road, St Saviour Woolcot Park, Bristol

George INGRAM aged 41 Secretary Brewing Company born Bristol
Mary A. INGRAM wife 39 born Bristol
George L. Y. INGRAM son 16 Student born Bristol
Dora M. INGRAM daughter 14 born Bristol
Audrey G. INGRAM daughter 11 born Bristol
Kathleen L. INGRAM daughter 9 born Bristol
Elsa M. INGRAM daughter 1 born Bristol
Theresa BODDY servant 18 General Domestic Servant born Bristol

Triss married Samuel John Woodman BISHOP on 23rd April 1908 in The Register Office, Bristol. Sam was born in Bedminster, Bristol on 18th March 1888 and was the son of Joseph BISHOP and Elizabeth Jane JOHNS. Triss and Sam had at least four children together - Henry James, born 7th May 1909 in Bristol; Samuel William, born c. 1912 in Bristol, died c. 1915; William Samuel, born 10th April 1917 in Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan, Wales, and Glyn, born 12th March 1920 in Ogmore Vale. This is how the family appears in the 1911 census:

21 Narroways Road, St Werburgh, Bristol

Samuel John Woodman BISHOP aged 23 Chocolate Maker born Ashton Gate, Bristol
Theresa BISHOP wife 28 Household Duty born St Werburgh, Bristol
Henry James BISHOP 1 year 11 months born St Werburgh, Bristol

Triss and Sam moved to Ogmore Vale in South Wales and this is where they were living in 1921 (the census shows Sam's last employer as Wyndham Colliery in Nantymoel which at the time was owned by Cory Bros & Co. Ltd.):

33 Wyndham Street, Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan, Wales

Samuel BISHOP aged 33 years 3 months Timberman Underground (Out of Work) born Ashton Gate, Bristol
Theresa BISHOP wife 39 years 9 months Household Duties born Eastville, Bristol
Henry James BISHOP son 12 years 1 month Scholar born Eastville, Bristol
William Samuel BISHOP son 4 years 2 months born Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan
Glyn BISHOP son 1 year 3 months born Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan

The 1939 Register shows Triss and Sam still living at 33 Wyndham Street with Sam's occupation recorded as 'assistant timberman (below)'. Theresa BISHOP (nee BODDY) died on 19th July 1946.

William Henry BODDY (b. 1885) worked for Packers Chocolate Factory in Carlyle Road, Greenbank, Bristol. He married Elizabeth LLOYD on 21st November 1915 in St Werburgh. Elizabeth was born on 28th July 1885 and was the daughter of Henry LLOYD. William and Elizabeth didn't have any children together. This is how William and Elizabeth appear in the 1921 census:

39 Treefield Road, St Werburgh, Bristol

William Henry BODDY aged 36 years 5 months Chocolate Drop Maker (H.J. Packer Chocolate Manufacturer, Greenbank) born Bristol
Elizabeth BODDY wife 35 years 5 month Home Duties born Bristol

The 1939 Register shows William and Elizabeth still living at 39 Treefield Road with William's occupation recorded as 'sugar confectionery manufacturer'. William died in Bristol in 1946.


Rosina CURTIS (nee BODDY)
(click image to view)

Rosina BODDY (b. 1888) was working for James HEWETT in Bishopston, Bristol in 1911:

31 Logan Road, Bishopston, Bristol

James HEWETT aged 61 Grocer born Boscastle, Cornwall
Emma HEWETT wife 64 born Bristol
Rosina BODDY servant 23 General Domestic Servant born Bristol

Rosina married William John CURTIS on 30th July 1921 in St Werburgh, Bristol. William was born on 8th April 1889 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol and was the son of Frederick CURTIS, a butcher. Rosina and William had one daughter together - Doreen Rosina, born 9th August 1922. Rosina died on 12th July 1979 in Southmead Hospital, Bristol.


William John CURTIS
(click image to view)

Sarah BODDY (b. 1890) was known as "Minnie". In 1911 she was working for the CLAYDEN family in Bishopston, Bristol:

45 Berkeley Road, Bishopston, Bristol

Robert William CLAYDEN aged 33 Shopfitter born Linton, Cambridgeshire
Christiana Sarah CLAYDEN wife 35 born Hastings, Sussex
Violet Christiana CLAYDEN daughter 10 born Whitstable, Kent
Robert Joseph William CLAYDEN son 6 born St Margarets, Middlesex
John Thomas CLAYDEN son 3 born Bristol
Sarah BODDY servant 20 General Domestic Servant born Bristol

Sarah married John ROBERTS in 1921. John was born on 30th November 1899. Sarah and John had one child together - Evis Hazel, born in Cardiff in 1926. Sarah died in Bristol in 1981.

Flora BODDY (b. 1892) was known as "Flo". She married Harry James BISHOP in Ogmore Vale in 1919. Harry was born on 9th February 1890 in Bedminster, Bristol and was the younger brother of Samuel BISHOP. Flo and Henry had at least one son together - Herbert James, born c. 1920 in Ogmore Vale. In 1921 Harry and Flo were living in the same house as Flo's sister and Harry's brother (Harry's last employer was also shown as Wyndham Colliery):

33 Wyndham Street, Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan, Wales

Harry BISHOP 31 years 4 months Miner Haulier (Out of Work) born Ashton Gate, Bristol
Flora BISHOP wife 29 years 1 month Household Duties born Eastville, Bristol
Herbert James BISHOP son 1 year 3 months born Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan

The 1939 Register shows Henry and Flo living at 23 Wyndham Street, Ogmore Vale with Henry's occupaton recorded as 'colliery haulier'. After her husband's death Flo returned to her parents' home at 46 James Street where she lived with her brother Bill. Flo died on 12th April 1960 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Mary Ann BODDY (1878-1957)

Mary Ann ("Maud") BODDY was born on 16th June 1878 at 2 Windsor Terrace, Mina Road, Bristol. She was the eldest child of James Samuel BODDY and Mary Ann WILLIAMS. Maud worked as a domestic servant for the LEWIS family in Cotham, as seen here in the 1901 census:

Upton Lodge, Cotham Grove, St Matthew Kingsdown, Bristol

Edwin J. LEWIS aged 67 Brewery Valuer born Bristol
Mary A. LEWIS wife 65 born Bristol
Julia K. LEWIS daughter 44 born Bristol
Florence L. LEWIS daughter 41 born Bristol
Emily LEWIS daughter 37 born Bristol
Frederick G. LEWIS son 30 Valuer's Clerk born Bristol
Clara A. LEWIS daughter 26 born Bristol
Mary A. BODDY servant 22 Domestic Servant born Bristol

It's interesting to note that Edwin and Mary Ann LEWIS had a daughter, also called Mary Ann, who married George INGRAM in 1883, and they were the George and Mary Ann INGRAM whom Maud BODDY's sister Theresa was working for as a domestic servant in 1901 (see above census extract).

Maud married James William MOSS, the son of John MOSS, a boiler maker, and Jane RICHARDS. James was born on 13th September 1866 in St George, Bristol and worked as a railway porter. James may have met Maud when delivering goods to Upton Lodge as he was also living in Kingsdown at the time. Maud and James had two children together, both born at 79 Downend Road, Horfield, Bristol - William Boddy, born 16th August 1906, and Mary Beatrice ("Trixie"), born 28th November 1910. This is how the family appears in the 1911 census:

79 Downend Road, Horfield, Bristol

James MOSS aged 44 Outdoor Porter born Bristol
Mary MOSS wife 33 born Bristol
William MOSS son 4 born Bristol
Beatrice MOSS daughter 4 months born Bristol
John MOSS widower father 71 Pensioner (Boiler Maker) born Bristol

James and Maud moved to 1 Pitt Road, Horfield in about 1915. The house was originally rented from Samuel Stockman HADDRELL who ran a grocery shop on the corner of Pitt Road and Gloucester Road. Several of the other houses in Pitt Road were occupied by members of the SMITH family. Frederick Joseph SMITH lived with his mother directly opposite James and Maud at 2 Pitt Road. Frederick and Maud married on 28th February 1920 in The Register Office, Bristol. Frederick was born on 25th April 1876 in Ashley Down, Horfield, Bristol and was the son of Christopher Sidney SMITH and Sarah PARSONS. Like several of his brothers, Frederick worked as a plasterer. Maud and Frederick had one child together - Winifred Ivy, born 23rd December 1920 in 1 Pitt Road, Horfield, Bristol.


Maud SMITH Gallery
(click image to view)

Frederick and Maud SMITH lived at No 1 Pitt Road, Horfield. Frederick died on 8th August 1928, aged just 52. He was interred at Canford Cemetery in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. His widow Maud continued to live at 1 Pitt Road until her death on 15th February 1957. She too was interred at Canford Cemetery.

William Boddy MOSS (b. 1906) joined the Royal Navy on 7th February 1922 and served continuously until 28th May 1936 when he purchased himself out, having reached the rank of Leading Seaman. He married Alice Maud COLLEY on 24th November 1929 in St Michael Parish Church, Bristol. Alice was born on 12th September 1901 in Bedminster, Bristol and was the daughter of Charles COLLEY and Eliza DAVEY. Alice died on 12th June 1975 in Southmead Hospital, Bristol. William died on 9th May 1982 at 30 Kelston Road, Horfield, Bristol.  They were both cremated at Canford Cemetery. William and Alice were the parents of my half-1st-cousin-once removed Veronica "Roni" SOLOMONS (nee MOSS).


William Boddy MOSS
(click image to enlarge)

Mary Beatrice ("Trixie") MOSS (b. 1910) was a domestic worker. She married Clifford Glyn BEAVAN on 12th April 1930. Cliff was born on 1st February 1907 and was a railway worker employed by Nott, Brodie & Co. He died on 31st July 1931 when he was crushed between two railway trucks. Witnesses to the accident suggested that Cliff may have slipped while the trucks were being shunted together. Beatrice subsequently married Arthur READ at The Register Office, Bristol in 1948. Trixie died on 3rd November 1991 at 1 Pitt Road, Horfield, Bristol.

Winifred Ivy SMITH (b. 1920) married Alfred William Hippesley MATTHEWS on 10th April 1939 in Horfield Parish Church. Alfred, better known as "Roy", was born on 15th July 1916 in Purton, Wiltshire and was the eldest child of William MATTHEWS and Amy Gwendoline "Gwennie" CURTIS.

Roy and Winifred MATTHEWS are my grandparents.


Alfred MATTHEWS and Winifred SMITH
(click image to enlarge)

John PONTING (1767-1824)

John PONTING was born in about 1767, though his exact date and place of birth is not yet known, and his parents have also not been identified. He married Margaret PHILLIPS on 29th October 1792 in St James, Bath. Margaret was born in about 1764, though as with John her exact date and place of birth is not known. The parish register shows that John was living in St James and Margaret was living in Lyncombe and Widcombe at the time of their marriage. John and Margaret's first child, Sarah, was baptised in St James, Bath on 6th July 1794. They then moved to Bristol where they had at least four more children together, all baptised in St Augustine the Less – George, baptised 31st December 1797; Mary, baptised 22nd June 1800; George, baptised 10th October 1802, and John, baptised 1st September 1805. The baptism records show that the family lived in Park Square, close to a rope walk on Canon's Marsh, and later records state that John was a twine-spinner; it is therefore reasonable to assume that he worked at the rope walk.

John PONTING died on 15th July 1824 and was buried on 20th July in St Augustine the Less. In his will he bequeated his "money, all my clothes, watch and plate goods and everything as I have got" to his widow, and that when she died "after her funeral what is left to be parted between my children Sarah Reed, George Ponting, Mary Ponting and John Ponting." Margaret PONTING (nee PHILLIPS) died on 25th August 1840 in Park Square, St Augustine, Bristol.

Sarah PONTING (b. 1794) married William REED on 11th September 1815 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. William was born in about 1791 and was a shoemaker, but nothing else is known about him. Sarah and William had at least six children together - William, baptised 23rd June 1816 in St Augustine the Less; Sarah, baptised 6th December 1818 in St Augustine the Less; Margaret, baptised 22nd August 1824 in St Augustine the Less; Jane, baptised 12th November 1826, Martha, baptised 31st May 1829 in St Augustine the Less, and Ellen Mary Ann, baptised 24th July 1833 in St George, Brandon Hill. This is how Sarah and William appear in the 1841 census:

Brandon Street, St Augustine, Bristol

William REED aged 50 Shoemaker Born in County
Sarah REED aged 45 Not Born in County
Jane REED aged 15 Born in County
Ellen REED aged 6 Born in County

No further trace has been found of their eldest child William, but their daughters Sarah and Martha appear to have both been working for an accountant in 1841:

College Street, St Augustine, Bristol

John SMITH aged 50 Accountant Born in County
Sarah REED aged 20 Female Servant Born in County
Martha REED aged 11 Female Servant Born in County

William REED died in the 1840s. This is how the widowed Sarah appears in the 1851 and 1861 census (in the latter she was living with her daughter Margaret):

Lamb Street, St Augustine, Bristol (1851)

Sarah REID widow aged 56 Washerwoman born Bristol
Martha REID daughter 21 Dress Maker born Bristol

5 Park Square, St Augustine, Bristol (1861)

Sarah REED mother widow aged 69 Charwoman born Bath
Margaret HAYMAN wife 37 Sempstress born Bristol
Sarah A. HAYMAN daughter 7 Scholar born Bristol
Martha HAYMAN daughter 5 Scholar born Bristol
Mary A. HAYMAN daughter 3 Scholar born Bristol
Ellen HAYMAN daughter 2 Scholar born Bristol

George PONTING (b. 1802) married Sarah Gilbert on 15th October 1827 in St Augustine the Less. Sarah was born on 4th May 1800 in Wells, Somerset and was the daughter of Joel and Susanna GILBERT. George and Sarah had at least six children together, all baptised in St Augustine the Less – Sarah Ann, baptised 2nd November 1828; Henry, baptised 30th December 1832; Mary Ann, baptised 13th December 1835, died c. 1845; Susanna, born c. 1839 and baptised 27th May 1849; Margaret, baptised 31st October 1841, died c. 1841, and Jane, baptised 22nd October 1843, died c. 1843. Of these children it appears that only Susanna survived into adulthood. This is how George and Sarah appear in the 1841 and 1851 censuses (the Margaret HAYMAN living with them in 1841 was probably George's niece, though it isn't yet known who Eliza, George and John HAYMAN were):

Brandon Street, St Augustine, Bristol (1841)

George PONTING aged 40 Rope Maker Born in County
Sarah PONTING aged 40 Born in County
Sarah PONTING aged 12 Born in County
Henry PONTING aged 10 Born in County
Mary Ann PONTING aged 6 Born in County
Susan PONTING aged 2 Born in County
Margaret HAYMAN aged 15 Born in County
Eliza HAYMAN aged 12 Born in County
George HAYMAN aged 8 Born in County
John HAYMAN aged 6 Born in County

5 Lower College Street, St Augustine the Less, Bristol (1851)

George PONTING aged 49 Rope Maker born Bristol
Sarah PONTING wife 51 Charwoman born Somerset
Susannah PONTING daughter 13 Sempstress born Bristol

George and Sarah have not yet been found in the 1861 census. George died on 26th July 1867 in tragic circumstances, as described here in the Bristol Times & Mirror on 27th July: "Determined suicide at Wapping. - Yesterday morning, shortly after 9 o'clock, the lifeless body of a man named George Ponting, about 65 years of age, was found, by a man named John Whitnell, suspended by the neck from one of the beams at the lower end of Messrs. Terrell's rope works. The poor fellow was at once cut down, but life was found to be extinct. In the afternoon, an inquest was held on the body, before Mr. H. S. Wasbrough, the deputy-coroner, at the Ship-on-Launch tavern, when, from the evidence of Thomas Hippett (who had been 57 years in the employ of Messrs. Terrell) and John Whitnell, it appeared that the deceased had been for upwards of 40 years in the employ of the Messrs. Terrell. For the last eight or nine months he had complained of a pain in his head, and he frequently placed his hands to the sides of his head. Yesterday morning, about half-past eight o'clock, he was met in the ropewalk by the witness Whitnell, who asked him how he was; deceased, in reply, said 'My head is very bad; I think I am going out of my mind.' Deceased was not seen again until he was found suspended by the piece of cord to the beam. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide during temporary insanity."

An article printed in the Western Daily Press on the same day added the following details: "From the evidence adduced it appeared that the deceased ... had been for many years at work as a hemp-dresser at Messrs Terrell's rope and twine factory. He had lately complained of a pain in his head and lowness of spirits, which had necessitated a partial cessation from work. Yesterday morning he was found on Messrs Terrell's premises, suspended to a beam by a girdle or waist belt, which was fastened loosely around his neck."

In 1871 George's widow Sarah was living with her daughter Susanna:

4 Salmon Court, St Michael, Bristol

Sarah PONTING widow 71 born Wells, Somerset
Susan PONTING daughter 32 Charwoman born Bristol

John PONTING (1805-1860)

John PONTING was baptised on 1st September 1805 in St Augustine the Less, Bristol and was the youngest child of John PONTING and Margaret PHILLIPS. He married Ann PITMAN on 22nd March 1830 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. Ann may have been the Ann PITMAN baptised on 26th September 1813 in St Philip & Jacob, illegitimate daughter of Ann, but at present this is speculation.  John and Ann had at least seven children together - John, born c. 1831 in Bristol; Mary Ann, born c. 1834 in Bristol; George, baptised 6th March 1836 in St Andrew, Clifton, buried 31st March 1836 in St Andrew; Elizabeth, born 6th August 1840 in Park Square, St Augustine; George, born 12th December 1843 in Stoke's Court off Stillhouse Lane, Bedminster; Sarah Ann, born 13th May 1846 in Allen's Court, Bedminster, died 12th February 1847 in the Poor Asylum, Stapleton, Bristol, and Sarah Ann, born 26th December 1847 in St Peter's Hospital, Bristol, died 23rd January 1848 in Osborne's Court, Redcliffe, Bristol. John followed in his father and brother's footsteps by working as a rope maker. This is how the family appears in the 1841 census:

Nelson's Gardens, St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol

John PONTING aged 36 Rope Maker Born in County
Ann PONTING aged 20 Born in County
John PONTING aged 10 Born in County
Mary Ann PONTING aged 3 Born in County
Elizabeth PONTING aged 1 Born in County

The family moved to Bedminster in the early 1840s. Ann PONTING (nee PITMAN) appears to have died on 15th January 1848 in St Peter's Hospital aged 36, though the death certificate shows her name as Mary Ann. This is how her widowed husband appears in the 1851 census:

Southey's Paddock, Bedminster, Bristol

John PONTING widower aged 45 Rope Maker born St Augustine, Bristol
Elizabeth PONTING daughter 9 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
George PONTING son 7 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol

John PONTING died of apoplexy on 20th April 1860 in St Peter's Workhouse, Bristol and was buried in Holy Trinity, Stapleton on 25th April.

John PONTING (b. 1831) married Sarah BISS on 16th October 1853 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. She was born in about 1831 in Bristol and was the daughter of Charles BISS. It doesn't appear that John and Sarah had any children. This is how they appear in the 1861 census:

Paul Street, Bedminster, Bristol

John PONTING aged 30 Leather Dresser (Journeyman) born Clifton, Bristol
Sarah PONTING wife 29 Staymaker born Bristol

John died in the late 1860s and was buried on 10th January 1869 in St John, Bedminster. His widow Sarah appears to have married Henry GREENWOOD on 29th December 1873 in Stepney, London, although the marriage certificate shows her father's name as Thomas rather than Charles. Henry was born in about 1834 in Limehouse, Middlesex.

Mary Ann PONTING (b. 1834) appears to have been lodging with James and Harriet MOORE in 1851:

Bright Bow, Bedminster, Bristol

James MOORE aged 36 Dealer in Marine Stores born Temple, Bristol
Harriet MOORE wife 35 Dealer in Marine Stores
born Temple, Bristol
Ann LIVINGS sister-in-law 18 Dealer in Marine Stores born Temple, Bristol
Catherine LIVINGS sister-in-law 16 Dealer in Marine Stores born Temple, Bristol
William HIGGINS lodger 34 Generla Labourer born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
Maria HIGGINS lodger 22 Char Woman
born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
Mary A. PONTING lodger 18 born Bedminster, Bristol
James PITMAN lodger 22 General Labourer
born Bedminster, Bristol
Thomas WOOD lodger 34 Writing Clerk
born Bedminster, Bristol
Richard BURGESS lodger 16 Labourer born Bedminster, Bristol
Catherine SMITH lodger 60 born Cork, Ireland

Mary Ann had a number of children with George WILLIAMS, although it appears that they never married. See below for further information.

Elizabeth PONTING (b. 1840) had at least three illegitimate children, all born in Bedminster -
James, born 8th March 1860 in the Paddock, buried 13th January 1861 in St John, Bedminster; John, born 16th November 1862 in the Paddock, and Charles, born c. 1866, died 16th December 1867 in Bright Bow, Bedminster. Elizabeth then married Archibald Macdonald CLEVELY on 22nd March 1869 in Hebron Chapel, Back Lane, Bedminster. Archibald was born in about 1839 in Bedminster and was the son of Joseph Rogers CLEVELY and Caroline LUCAS. Elizabeth and Archibald had at least seven children together, all born in Bristol - James, born c. 1869; Henry, born 22nd May 1871; Mary Ann, born c. 1875; Emily, born 8th August 1877 in Bedminster; Charles Isaac, born c. 1880 in Bedminster; Elizabeth, born c. 1882, and Sarah Ann, born c. 1884. In 1871 the family was living in a lodging house run by Mary PEARCE (John CLEVELY was Elizabeth's illegitimate son John PONTING):

Bright Bow, Bedminster, Bristol

Archibald CLEVELY lodger 29 Shoemaker born Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY lodger 30 Firewood Vendor born Bristol
John CLEVELY lodger 9 Scholar
born Bristol
James CLEVELY lodger 1 born Bristol

This is how the family appears in the 1881 - 1911 censuses (their ages are not consistently recorded and Archibald's name was incorrect in 1881):

Stone's Buildings, Bedminster, Bristol (1881)

Herbert CLEVELY head 30 Boot Maker born Bedminster, Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY wife 40
born Bedminster, Bristol
John CLEVELY son 15 Coal Seller born Bedminster, Bristol
Henry CLEVELY son 8 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
Mary Ann CLEVELY daughter  6 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
Emily CLEVELY daughter 4 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
Charles CLEVELY son 2 born Bedminster, Bristol

20 St John's Buildings, Bedminster, Bristol (1891)

Archibald CLEVELY aged 43 Shoemaker
born Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY wife 53 Stick Chopper born Bristol
Mary Ann CLEVELY daughter 16 Stick Chopper born Bristol
Emily CLEVELY daughter 14 Stick Chopper born Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY daughter 8 Scholar born Bristol
Sarah A. CLEVELY daughter 6 Scholar born Bristol
Charles CLEVELY son 10 Scholar born Bristol
Henry CLEVELY son 18 Stick Dealer born Bristol

12 The Arcade, Bedminster, Bristol (1901)

Archibald CLEVELY aged 60 Boot Finisher
born Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY wife 66 born Bristol
Henry CLEVELY son 28 Corn Porter born Bristol
Sarah CLEVELY daughter 18 born Bristol

20 Whitehouse Place, Bedminster, Bristol (1911)

Archibald CLEVELY aged 69 Boot Finisher born Somerset Street, Bristol
Elizabeth CLEVELY wife 68 Wood Chopper born The Paddock, Bedminster, Bristol
Charles CLEVELY son 33 Dock Labourer born Mill Lane, Bedminster, Bristol
Eliza CLEVELY daughter-in-law 24 Assisting Home born Paul Street, Bedminster, Bristol

Elizabeth CLEVELY (nee PONTING) died in about 1916 in Bristol and her husband passed away in about 1922, also in Bristol. Their eldest son James was the father of Edward CLEVELY, who married Grace May TOY, daughter of Edwin Henry TOY, in 1930 in Bristol.

George PONTING (b. 1843) never married. In 1871 he appears to have been living in a lodging house on Salutation Row in Newport, Wales, but by 1881 he had returned to Bristol and was living with the BROOKS family in the same road as his sister Elizabeth:

Stone's Buildings, Bedminster, Bristol

Thomas BROOKS aged 33 Dustman born Bedminster, Bristol
Mary Ann BROOKS wife 30 Wood Seller
born Bedminster, Bristol
Eliza BROOKS daughter 8 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
George BROOKS son 3 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
Elizabeth BROOKS daughter 11 months born Bedminster, Bristol
George PONTING visitor 41 Wood Seller born Bedminster, Bristol

This is how George appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses (in the former he was living with his nephew John, the illegitimate son of Elizabeth):

4 Bedminster Place, Bedminster, Bristol (1891)

John PONTING aged 28 General Labourer
born Bedminster, Bristol
Dora PONTING wife 26 born Bedminster, Bristol
John PONTING son 7 born Bedminster, Bristol
Blanche PONTING daughter 5 born Bedminster, Bristol
Charles PONTING son 1 born Bedminster, Bristol
George PONTING uncle 47 General Labourer born Bedminster, Bristol

91 Whitehouse Street, Bedminster, Bristol (1901)

George PONTING aged 62 Labourer for General Dealer born Bedminster, Bristol

George PONTING died on 15th August 1909 in Stapleton Workhouse. His probate record describes him as a wood merchant.

George WILLIAMS (1834-1902)

George WILLIAMS was born in about 1834 although his exact place of birth isn't known. The 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses all suggest that he came from Hampshire, with the 1881 census specifically showing his birthplace as Lymington, however the 1901 census states that he was born in Canterbury, Kent! It also isn't known who his parents were. George had a number of children with Mary Ann PONTING, though it doesn't appear that they were ever married. Mary Ann was born in about 1834 and was probably the daughter of John PONTING and Ann PITMAN. Census records suggest that Mary Ann was born in Bedminster, but it seems that her family didn't move there until the 1840s, having previously lived in Hotwells and Redcliffe.

George and Mary Ann had at least eight children together - George, born 1st January 1855 in the Paddock, Bedminster; Henry, born 12th March 1857 in the Paddock; Mary Ann, born 17th July 1859 in the Paddock; John, born 30th January 1862 in the Paddock; Martha, born 4th March 1864 in the Paddock; Elizabeth, born 25th December 1869 in Butterfield Court, St Paul, Bristol, died 1st October 1871 at 3 Butterfield Court; William, born 8th January 1873 in Butterfield Court, and Elizabeth Rose, born 18th December 1875 in 7 York Buildings, St Paul, Bristol. George, Elizabeth, William and Elizabeth Rose were registered with the surname WILLIAMS when they were born, but Henry, Mary Ann, John and Martha were all registered as PONTINGs. George's occupation was recorded as 'mason' on his eldest's child's birth certificate, but was later shown as a 'lumper' or 'deal runner', which suggests that he carried planks of wood around the docks on his back, shoulder or head, 'deal' being a plank made of soft wood such as fir or pine.

George and Mary Ann appeared in court in 1860, as described here in the Western Daily Press on 11th September: "George Williams and Mary Ann Paunton [sic], described as living together as man and wife, the latter with a child in her arms, were brought up charged with being disorderly and making use of indecent language in East Street, Bedminster. - John Williams and John Trott were charged with being disorderly, and attempting to rescue the first-named prisoners after they had been taking into custody. - The offences were clearly proved against the whole of the prisoners, but the Bench discharged the woman, out of regard for the child she had at her breast. - The whole of the other prisoners were each fined 5s and costs, or, in default, 7 days' imprisonment."

George's whereabouts at the time of the 1861 census isn't known, but Mary Ann was living in Bedminster with her three oldest children (she was incorrectly shown as being a widow): 

13 South Paddock, Bedminster, Bristol

Mary Ann PONTING widow aged 24 Wood Dealer born Bristol
George PONTING son 7
born Bristol
Henry PONTING son 4 born Bristol
Mary Ann PONTING daughter 2 born Bristol

In July 1861 George appears to have had another brush with the law, though it isn't certain that he was the individual mentioned in this article from the Western Daily Press dated 23rd July: "George Williams and William Gosh were brought up charged with being disorderly and assaulting George Naish, of the Somerset beerhouse, East Street, Bedminster. - The complainant stated that the prisoners were in his house on Saturday night, and beginning to be disorderly he ordered them out, and whilst doing so he was struck by Gosh, but he didn't want to press the charge, another man not in custody being the worst offender. - The prisoners promised not to offend again, and the Bench discharged them."

George also appears to have been involved in an unfortunate incident with another lumper in June 1866, as described in the Western Daily Press on 27th June: "Inquests. - Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held at the General Elliot, East Street, Bedminster, before Mr H. S. Wasbrough, deputy-coroner, on the body of John Barwell, lumper, aged 47. On Monday week the deceased went into the Tanners' Arms beerhouse, and while there George Williams, another lumper, got up to leave the room, when the deceased put his hands on Williams's shoulders in order to prevent him leaving. They both fell, the deceased being undermost, and struck his head against the form, causing him to be insensible. He recovered in a short time and drank some more beer, showing no ill-feeling nor attaching blame to anyone. There was no dispute between Williams and the deceased. He afterwards went home, complained of acute pain in the head to his wife, and gradually grew worse until he had to be taken to the Infirmary, on Wednesday, where he died on Sunday. Dr. W. Harris, resident-physician at the Infirmary, attributed the deceased's death to effusion of blood on the brain, caused by a fall or blow. There was only a slight external wound, but there was a laceration of the brain on both sides of the head. The jury returned a veridct of 'Accidental death'."

By 1871 George and Mary Ann were living together and had moved to the St Paul area of Bristol (Elizabeth was recorded as 'Elbert', which may be because her name was written as 'El'beth' on the census form and was then mistranscribed by the enumerator):

11 Butterfield Court, St Paul, Bristol

George WILLIAMS age 37 Lumper born Hampshire
Mary Ann WILLIAMS wife 39 born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 17 Lumper born Bristol
Mary Ann WILLIAMS daughter 13 Scholar born Bristol
John WILLIAMS son 10 Scholar born Bristol
Martha WILLIAMS daughter 6 born Bristol
Elbert WILLIAMS daughter 1 born Bristol

The family subsequently moved to nearby Callowhill Street and this is where they were living when Mary Ann was the victim of an assault, as described in the Bristol Mercury on 29th March 1873: "Thomas Bamford, a rough-looking fellow, was charged with committing a violent assault upon a woman named Mary Ann Williams, who appeared in court with her head and face covered with bandages and her left arm broken. She narrated to the justices the details of an assault of the most savage and brutal character. On Saturday night she sent her little girl of 14 to get some flour, when the son of the prisoner (who was a neighbour living in Callow-hill-street, St. Paul's) attacked the girl. Prisoner urged his son to kick her, and witness was called to the spot by the neighbours to protect her daughter. She remonstrated with the prisoner, who then knocked her down and kicked her with his heavy boots furiously in her eyes, and broke her arm. Prisoner was also charged with assaulting Sarah Ashley, a respectable-looking woman, who said she remonstrated with the prisoner for kicking another woman - the person he was living with - when he struck her violently. Witness saw him kick the woman fully a dozen times, and she was so injured that she was now lying at her home very ill. Another witness gave corroborative evidence as to the prisoner's attack upon Mrs. Williams. His excuse was that he had had some beer, and the complainant had annoyed him. The magistrates thought it a most brutal assault, and they sentenced the prisoner to six months' hard labour."

This is how the family appear in the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses:

8 Callowhill Street, St Paul, Bristol (1881)

George WILLIAMS aged 48 General Labourer born Lymington, Hampshire
Mary A. WILLIAMS wife 48
born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 29 Painter born Bristol
Jane WILLIAMS son's wife 27 born Bristol
John WILLIAMS son 19 General Labourer born Bristol
Martha WILLIAMS daughter 17 born Bristol
William WILLIAMS son 9 born Bristol
Rose WILLIAMS daughter 6 born Bristol
Henry WILLIAMS son 25 General Labourer born Bristol
Jane WALLIS niece 6 born Bristol

16 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol (1891)

George WILLIAMS aged 54 Labourer born Hampshire
Mary WILLIAMS wife 53 born Bedminster, Bristol
Henry WILLIAMS son 36 Labourer born Bedminster, Bristol
William WILLIAMS son 18 Labourer born St Matthias, Bristol
Rose WILLIAMS daughter 16 born St Matthias, Bristol

16 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol (1901)


George WILLIAMS aged 67 General Labourer born Canterbury, Kent

Mary A. WILLIAMS wife 66 born Bristol
Rose DRAPER niece 8 
born Bristol

George WILLIAMS died on 3rd February 1902 at 16 Callowhill Street. His widow Mary Ann's death record has not yet been traced, however she does not appear in the 1911 census so presumably died before then.

Henry WILLIAMS (b. 1857) enlisted in the 2nd Somerset Militia in early 1875. His attestation records show that he was an unemployed labourer and was 5 foot 3 and a half inches, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He agreed to serve for a term of six years but nothing further is known about his military career. The 1881 and 1891 censuses show him as a single man living with his parents, but he hasn't yet been traced in any later records.

Mary Ann WILLIAMS (b. 1859) married James Samuel BODDY on 24th April 1878 in The Register Officer, Bristol. James was born on 7th April 1857 in 8 Dale Street, St Paul, Bristol and was the son of James BODDY and Mary Jane LEWIS. See above for more information about James and Mary Ann.

Martha WILLIAMS (b. 1864) had a number of children with George WALLIS, but no marriage record has been found for them. George was born on 11th June 1861 in Dalton Place, Dalton Court, Bristol and was the son of Josiah Vaughan WALLIS and Elizabeth Wingett EDMONDS. His older sister married Martha's brother George. Martha and George had at least seven children together, all born in Bristol - George Charles, born 6th October 1885; Martha Ann, born 27th June 1887, died c. 1887; Alfred, born 26th October 1888 at 1 Jarman's Court, Horsefair, St James; Henry, born 1st November 1891; Elizabeth, born 24th August 1894; Mary Jane, born 20 October 1897 at 1 Jarman's Court, and Joseph, born 22nd April 1901 at 9 The Horsefair, St James. This is how the family appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

9 Horsefair, St James, Bristol (1891)

George WALLIS aged 28 born Bristol
Martha WALLIS wife 27
born Bristol
George WALLIS son 7 Scholar born Bristol
Alfred WALLIS son 3 Scholar born Bristol
Annie EAGER servant 18 General Servant born Bristol

9 Horsefair, St James, Bristol (1901)

George WALLIS aged 38 Firewood Chopper born St James, Bristol
Martha WALLIS wife 37
 born St James, Bristol
George WALLIS son 17 News Vendor (Hawker) born St James, Bristol
Alfred WALLIS son 14 News Vendor (Hawker) born St James, Bristol
Henry WALLIS son 10 born St James, Bristol
Elizabeth WALLIS daughter 7 born St James, Bristol
Mary J. WALLIS daughter 4 born St James, Bristol

Martha WALLIS (nee WILLIAMS) died of pulmonary consumption on 2nd July 1906 at 7 Harford Street, St James, Bristol. This is how her widowed husband appears in the 1911 census:

3 Deep Street, Bristol

George WALLIS widower aged 44 General Labourer born Bristol
Henry WALLIS son 19
General Labourer born Bristol
Joseph WALLIS son 9 Scholar born Bristol
Jack WILLIAMS nephew 21
General Dealer born Bristol

George WALLIS died on 7th January 1929 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary

Elizabeth Rose WILLIAMS (b. 1875) was shown as Rose or Rosina on all records apart from her birth certificate. She married Frederick DRAPER on 12th September 1892 in St Jude, Bristol. Frederick was born in about 1874 in Bristol and was the son of John and Jane DRAPER. Rose and Frederick had at least eleven children together, all born in Bristol - Rosina, born 13th March 1893; Elizabeth, born 10th October 1894, died c. 1894; Frederick, born 12th January 1896; Sidney, born 10th July 1897, died c. 1897; Eliza Jane, born 18th October 1898, died c. 1899; Lily, born 30th November 1899; Mary Ann, born 17th September 1902; Jane, born 14th June 1905; Violet, born 1st July 1907; Sidney, born 28th September 1909, and William Walter, born 20th April 1912, died c. 1912. This is how the family appears in the 1901 census:

18 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol

Frederick DRAPER aged 28 Scale Maker born Bristol
Rose DRAPER wife 25
born Bristol
Frederick DRAPER son 5 born Bristol
Lilly DRAPER daughter 1 born Bristol

Frederick suffered a serious accident while attending a Bristol City football match in 1910, as described here in the Western Daily Press on 18th April: "Soon after the City game started on Saturday afternoon at Ashton Gate, a man, named Frederick Draper, aged 35, who lives at 16 Callowhill Street, St. Paul's, met with a serious accident. He was running down one of the banks on the ground when he stepped on a piece of plate, and falling fractured his right leg. The St. John Ambulance were called, and the man conveyed to the General Hospital, where he was detained." This is how Frederick and Rose appear in the 1911 census:

16 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol

Frederick DRAPER aged 37 Scale Maker born Bristol
Rose DRAPER wife 36
born Bristol
Frederick DRAPER son 15 Scale Maker born Bristol
Rose DRAPER daughter 18
born Bristol
Lilly DRAPER daughter 11 born Bristol
Mary DRAPER daughter 8
born Bristol
Jane DRAPER daughter 6 born Bristol
Violet DRAPER daughter 3 born Bristol

Rose DRAPER (nee WILLIAMS) died of heart failure on 12th May 1912 in 16 Callowhill Street. Her widowed husband Frederick outlived her by only a few months, passing away on 5th August 1912 in Eastville Workhouse, 100 Fishponds Road, Stapleton, Bristol.

George WILLIAMS (1855-1889)

George WILLIAMS was born in about 1854 in Bedminster, Bristol and was the oldest son of George WILLIAMS and Mary Ann PONTING. He married Mary Jane WILLS on 27th May 1878 in The Register Office, Bristol. Mary was born in about 1854 in Bristol and was the daughter of Josiah Vaughan WALLIS and Elizabeth Wingett EDMONDS, and the widow of Henry WILLS. She was the older sister of George WALLIS who had a number of children with George's sister Martha. The 1881 census shows George and Mary Jane living with George's parents at 8 Callowhill Street, St Paul; Mary was listed as Jane, and also living in the household was a 6 year old girl called Jane WALLIS, who was probably Mary Jane WILLS, Mary's daughter with her first husband. George and Mary Jane had at least four childen together, all born in Bristol - George, born 11th June 1881 and baptised in St Matthias, Bristol on 6th June 1882; William George, born 23rd March 1884 and baptised in St Matthias on 6th April 1884; Henry, born 6th March 1886, and John, born c. 1888.

George WILLIAMS died of cardiac disease on 6th February 1889 at 4 Leek Lane, Bristol. This is how his widow appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

4 Leek Lane, St Clement, Bristol (1891)

Mary J. WILLIAMS widow aged 33 Clothes Dealer born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 9 Scholar
born Bristol
Henry WILLIAMS son 4 born Bristol
John WILLIAMS son 2 born Bristol
Emily L. CHARD servant 17 Domestic Servant born St Philips, Gloucestershire

Lodging House, 26 & 28 Brick Street, Holy Trinity, Bristol (1901)

Mary WILLIAMS widow aged 40 Charwoman born Bristol
Henry WILLIAMS son 14 French Polisher born Bristol
John WILLIAMS son 11 born Bristol

It isn't yet known what became of Mary WILLIAMS (nee WALLIS) after 1901.

George WILLIAMS (b. 1881) was living with his uncle William WILLIAMS in 1901 (see below census extract). He married Mary Ann JONES on 6th May 1902 in The Register Office, Bristol. Mary was born on 7th October 1881 in Bristol and was the daughter of Henry and Margaret JONES. George and Mary Ann had at least ten children together, all born in Bristol - George, born c. 1902; Henry, born 1st May 1904; Mary Ann, born 23rd June 1906; Florence, born 16th April 1910, died c. 1912 in Bristol; Dorothea, born 16th July 1912; John William, born 10th August 1914; Lilian Beatrice, born 28th March 1917; William, born c. 1919; Edna May, born 17th September 1921, and Ronald Cyril, born 12th August 1924. This is how George and Mary Ann appear in the 1911 and 1921 censuses:

21 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol (1911)

George WILLIAMS aged 30 Hawker born St Paul, Bristol
Mary Ann WILLIAMS wife 30
born St Paul, Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 8 born St Paul, Bristol
Henry WILLIAMS son 6 born St Paul, Bristol
Mary Ann WILLIAMS daughter 4 born St Paul, Bristol
Florence WILLIAMS daughters 11 months born St Paul, Bristol

28 Callowhill Street, Bristol (1921)

Henry JONES aged 63 years 7 months Dock Labourer (Out of Employment) born Bristol
Margaret JONES wife 71 years 9 months Home Duties born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son-in-law 39 years 11 months Fish & Fruit Salesman (Out of Work) born Bristol
Mary Ann WILLIAMS daughter 39 years 10 months Home Duties
born Bristol
John WILLIAMS grandson 6 years 9 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Dorothea WILLIAMS granddaughter 8 years 11 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Lilian WILLIAMS granddaughter 4 years 3 months born Bristol
William WILLIAMS grandson 1 year 9 months born Bristol
Mary WILLIAMS granddaughter 14 years 5 months born Bristol
George WILLIAMS grandson 18 years Out of Work born Bristol

Henry WILLIAMS grandson 17 years News Lad (Press & Evening News Office, Baldwin Street) born Bristol

The 1939 Register shows George and Mary Ann living at 44 Brigstocke Road in St Paul, Bristol with George's occupation listed as 'fruit hawker'.

Henry WILLIAMS (b. 1886) married Eliza WILCOX in 1909 in Bristol. Eliza was born on 23rd August 1886 in Bristol and was the daughter of James William WILCOX and Eliza WHEELER. Henry and Eliza had at least eleven children together, all born in Bristol - Ada Florence, born c. 1909; Harry, born c. 1910; Mabel, born 9th November 1913; Gladys May, born 17th August 1914; Francis, born 17th September 1917; Stanley, born 16th September 1919; Nellie May, born c. 1921; George Henry, born c. 1923; John Henry, born c. 1925; Lilian Rose, born 8th November 1926, and Joan Elizabeth, born 7th March 1929. This is how Henry and Eliza appear in the 1911 census:

15 Cherry Lane, Bristol

Harry WILLIAMS aged 26 Hawker born Bristol
Eliza WILLIAMS wife 25
born Bristol
Ada WILLIAMS daughter 2 born Bristol
Harry WILLIAMS son 1 born Bristol

The 1939 Register shows Henry and Eliza living at 68 St John's Lane, Bedminster with Henry's occupation listed as 'general hawker'.

William WILLIAMS (b. 1873)

William WILLIAMS was born on 8th January 1873 in Butterfield Court, St Pauk, Bristol and was the youngest son of George WILLIAMS and Mary Ann PONTING. William married Priscilla SANDLE on 9th August 1893 in The Register Office, Bristol. Priscilla was born on 30th April 1873 in Bristol and was the daughter of Joseph and Lucy SANDLE. William and Priscilla had at least nine children together, all born in Bristol - William, born 17th February 1894; George William, born 29th March 1896; Henry John, born 14th June 1900; Priscilla, born 18th February 1902; Walter George, born 28th August 1904; Alfred Charles, born 4th April 1907; Frederick John, born 23rd August 1908; Albert Victor, born 27th May 1910, and Violet May, born c. 1914.

William's occupation was recorded as a labourer or haulier up until around 1910 when he started to be listed as a fish hawker or fishmonger. By the early 1920s he was working as a labourer at Avonmouth docks. This is how William and Priscilla appear in the 1901, 1911 and 1921 censuses:

15 Callowhill Street, St Matthias, Bristol (1901)

William WILLIAMS aged 27 General Labourer born Bristol
Priscilla WILLIAMS wife 28
born Bristol
William WILLIAMS son 7 born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 5 born Bristol
Harry WILLIAMS son 9 months born Bristol
George WILLIAMS nephew 20 Cabinet Maker born Bristol

26 Callowhill Street,Bristol (1911)

William WILLIAMS aged 40 Fish Hawker born Bristol
Priscilla WILLIAMS wife 35
born Bristol
William WILLIAMS son 17 Haulier born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 15 Carter born Bristol
Harry WILLIAMS son 11 born Bristol
Walter WILLIAMS son 6 born Bristol
Freddie WILLIAMS son 3 born Bristol
Albert WILLIAMS son 12 months born Bristol
Priscilla WILLIAMS daughter 9 born Bristol

36 Callowhill Street, Bristol (1921)

William WILLIAMS aged 48 years 6 months Casual Worker (Avonmouth Docks) born Bristol
Priscilla WILLIAMS wife 48 years 3 months
Housewife born Bristol
George WILLIAMS son 25 years 2 months Carter (Russett & Co Hauliers, 116 Bath Road) born Bristol
Priscilla WILLIAMS daughter 19 years 4 months Unemployed born Bristol
Walter WILLIAMS son 17 years 10 months Carpenter (Twiggs & Co. Perambulation Works, Water Street) born Bristol
Frederick WILLIAMS son 12 years 10 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Albert WILLIAMS son 10 years 7 months
Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Violet WILLIAMS daughter 7 years 1 month
Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Elizabeth WILLIAMS daughter-in-law 25 years 2 months Home Duties born Bristol
Doris WILLIAMS granddaughter 6 years 2 months
Scholar (Whole Time) born Bristol
Minnie WILLIAMS daughter-in-law 20 years 2 months Home Duties born Yorkshire
Henry WILLIAMS grandson 1 year 2 months born Bristol

The 1939 Register shows William and Priscilla at 68 Ilminster Avenue, Knowle, Bristol with William's occupation listed as 'dock labourer'.

William WILLIAMS (b. 1894) married Ellen CURLEY on 10th July 1915 in St Matthias, Bristol. Ellen was born on 18th August 1894 in Bristol and was the daughter of Joseph CURLEY and Hester WESTLAKE. William and Ellen had at least four children together, all born in Bristol - Ronald William, born c. 1920; Ida May, born 31st July 1921; Leonard Victor, born 6th April 1924, and Walter Henry, born c. 1927. The 1939 Register shows William and Ellen living at 103 Ilminster Avenue, Knowle, Bristol with William's occupation listed as 'general labourer'.

George WILLIAMS (b. 1896) married Harriet Elizabeth OGBORNE on 17th January 1915 in St Matthias, Bristol. Harriet was born on 24th April 1896 and was the daughter of William OGBORNE and Mary Eliza HARRIS. George and Harriet had at least four children together, all born in Bristol - Doris May, born 24th May 1915; Evelyn Frances, born 1st April 1922; George William, born c. 1923, and Raymond Charles, born 25th August 1929. In 1921 George and Harriet (shown as Elizabeth) were living with George's parents in Callowhill Street (see above census extract). The 1939 Register shows George and Harriet living at 72 Ilminster Avenue, Knowle, Bristol with George's occupation listed as 'paintshop warehouse'.

Henry John WILLIAMS (b. 1900) joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 30th March 1916, serving aboard the training ship HMS Impregnable until 17th September when he transferred to HMS Temeraire, by which time he had become a Boy First Class. He became an Ordinary Seaman on 14th June 1918 and over the next twelve years he served aboard a number of vessels, as well as spending time at HMS Vivid and HMS Victory, the shore establishments at Devonport and Portsmouth respectively. Henry married Minnie INGLEDEW in 1920 in Lancashire. Both the 1939 Register and her death index entry show Minnie's birth date as 29th April 1901, however her birth was registered in the second quarter of 1902 which suggests she was actually born in April of that year. She was born in South Bank, Yorkshire and was the daughter of Joseph Leonard INGLEDEW and Elizabeth Ann WALKER. Henry and Minnie's first child, Henry John, was born in 1920 in Bristol. In 1921 Minnie and her son were living with her parents-in-law (see above census extract) while her husband was serving aboard HMS Thistle.

Henry married Lilian Dorothy May SAMPSON in Plymouth, Devon on 9th July 1929 while still married to his first wife Minnie. Lilian was born on 14th August 1906 in Plymouth and was the daughter of Frederick William Arthur CHAPLIN and Mary Elizabeth RADMORE, and the widow of Cyril Thomas SAMPSON. Henry's offence was soon discovered, as described here in the Western Morning News on 17th August 1929:

"Bigamy charge at Plymouth. Henry John Williams, aged 29, able seaman, H.M.S. Vivid, was charged at Plymouth yesterday with having on July 9 entered into a form of marriage with Lilian Dorothy Map Sampson, Minnie Williams, his wife, being then alive. Supt. Cooms gave evidence of arrest, and asked for an adjournment until next Friday. The Bench granted the application, and fixed the bail at £25 in his own recognizances. Supt. Cooms said accused came to the police station at Ker-street, confessed that he had committed the offence referred to, and said he wanted the matter cleared up. Detective-Constable W. J. Hutchings said at 7 p.m. on July 12 he saw accused at Ker-street, and said he understood he wished to give himself up. Accused replied that he did, and witness handed him over to the naval authorities in order that evidence might be obtained. The next morning he arrested him at the Royal Naval Barracks and charged him, and in reply accused said, 'I don't wish to say anything'. He will come before the Bench against next Friday."

Henry's punishment was detailed in the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette on 8th November 1929: "Plymouth Bigamy. Henry John Williams, 29, seaman, R.N., pleaded guilty to bigamy at Plymouth on July 9th. Mr. Anningstone said the man deceived the woman in various ways. He first told her he was a single man, then that he was going to get a divorce, and finally that he was a widower. He had treated her well. Sentence of five months in the second division was passed."

Henry was discharged from the Navy on 13th June 1930 and despite his misdemeanour he returned to his wife Minnie with whom he had second child - Violet Priscilla, born on 31st March 1931 in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. The 1939 Register shows Henry and Minnie living at 18 Upper Branch Street, South Bank, Yorkshire with Henry's occupation listed as 'labourer steel plant'. Henry John WILLIAMS died in 1984 in Bristol.

Priscilla WILLIAMS (b. 1929) married Gilbert Ernest LAMBERT on 24th October 1925 in St Matthias, Bristol. Gilbert was born on 19th May 1901 in Bristol and was the son of Gilbert LAMBERT and Charlotte Eliza PARRAN. Priscilla and Gilbert had one child together - Iris Priscilla, born 8th August 1926 in Bristol. The 1939 Register shows Priscilla and Gilbert living at 158 Leinster Avenue, Knowle Bristol with Gilbert's occupation listed as 'G.W.R. lorry driver'.

Walter George WILLIAMS (b. 1904) married Elsie Matilda HAYWARD on 20th May 1934 in St Matthias, Bristol. Elsie was born on 2nd May 1909 in St James, Bristol and was the daughter of Henry Louis HAYWARD and Lydia MERCHANT. The 1939 Register shows Walter and Elsie living at 59 Beverley Road, Horfield, Bristol with Walter's occupation listed as 'commissionaire (lift attendant)'.

Do you recognise any of the above names? Do you think you might be related to me through my BODDY or WILLIAMS ancestors? If so, Send Me An Email
Return to Contents Page