CONTENTS
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 ...
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.
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).
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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, BristolThe 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 ("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.
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)
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)