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THE LAVER FAMILY OF NORTH CADBURY AND BRISTOL, ENGLAND
 

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

Meaning Of The Name

Jacob LAVER (1772-1848)

William Eastment LAVER (1801-1835)

William LAVER (1825-1881)

James LAVER (1828-1884)

Sam LAVER (1857-1937)

Introduction

My experience with my LAVER ancestors proves that no matter how impenetrable the brick wall on your family tree research appears to be, you should never give up. After making virtually no progress with this branch of my family for over five years, I finally made a breakthrough in the summer of 2005 when one of my contacts found the record of my great-grandfather's birth in the civil registration index. And it wasn't surprising that I hadn't been able to find him previously because he was listed as a LEAVER rather than a LAVER. After that I made rapid progress and was soon back to the 18th century, and along the way I made some interesting discoveries about the LAVER family of North Cadbury ...

This webpage would not have been possible without the assistance of JOAN MOHR, whose LAVER ancestors also came from North Cadbury, and HOWARD & DAWN LAVER of the LAVER One Name Study. I would also like to thank GORDON OSMOND for providing extracts from "The Parson's Quarter Companion" by SAM MILLER; BRYAN OLDHAM and MARY REDMAN for information about Randolph and Amy SATCHELL; LARRY HORSFIELD for details about George and Susan MANVELL; WALTER STONE for information about Charles and Eliza LAVER; DENISE FRASER, LYN LIMBRICK and SHEILA BLACK for details about William and Jessie HARNOTT; KATHLEEN BELL for details about Henry and Ethel WEIGHT, and PAUL VIVASH and JIM FISHER for providing possible origins of the name "LAVER". The story of the HERMAN family's experiences about Titanic is based on MICHAEL A. FINDLAY's article on the Encyclopedia Titanica website. I am also indebted to the members of the Bristol & Somerset Genealogy Mailing List and the General Register Office. 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.

According to P.H. REANEY in "The Oxford Dictionary of Surnames", the word LAVER derives from the Old English "laefer" meaning a bulrush or wild iris. While the surname could therefore imply a dweller by such a plant, the word also gave rise to the names of three adjoining parishes in Essex - High, Little and Magdalen Laver - and these are more likely to have been the basis of the surname. The earliest example cited by REANEY is Eustace de LAGEFARA from the Essex Pipe Rolls 1190, while John LAVER appears in the Subsidy Rolls for the adjoining county of Cambridgeshire in 1327, supporting the idea that the name originated from the Laver villages of Essex.

PATRICK HANKS & FLAVIA HODGES in "A Dictionary of Surnames" suggest that LAVER might be an occupational name for a washerman from the French "laver" meaning "to wash", or a French nickname for a rich man from "avoir" meaning "to have".

Jacob LAVER was baptised on 16th August 1772 in North Cadbury, Somerset and was the son of John and Mary LAVER. He married Ann EASTMENT on 6th April 1801 in North Cadbury. Ann was born in about 1778. Jacob and Ann had at least seven children together, all baptised in North Cadbury - William Eastment, baptised 20th April 1801; Samuel, baptised 18th October 1803; Elizabeth, baptised 2nd March 1806; Ann, baptised 9th January 1808; John, baptised 31 December 1813; James, baptised 10th August 1817, and Charles, baptised 17th June 1821.

Ann LAVER (nee EASTMENT) died in 1826 and was buried on 27th March in North Cadbury. Jacob subsequently married Ann CHAMBERLAIN, the widow of John CHAMBERLAIN, on 28th May 1827 in North Cadbury. Ann was born in Stoke Trister, Somerset in about 1783. This is how John and Ann appear in the 1841 census:

North Cadbury, Somerset

Jacob LAVER aged 65 Labourer Born in County
Ann LAVER wife 50 Born in County

According to "The Parson's Quarter Companion", Jacob was forced to join the local militia. In 1825 Jacob was on three weeks' permanent duty with the militia and his wife Ann received nine shillings for her and her two children. Jacob died of influenza on 21st January 1848 in North Cadbury and was buried on the 27th January. His widow Ann ran a laundry at the end of Cutty Lane in North Cadbury where she employed four other women. This is how she appears in the 1851 and 1861 censuses:

North Cadbury, Somerset (1851)

Ann LAVER widow aged 67 Laundress born Stoke Trister, Somerset
John CHAMBERLAIN son 43 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset

North Cadbury, Somerset (1861)

Ann LAVER widow aged 78 Laundress born North Cadbury
John CHAMBERLAIN son 52 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury
Jane LAVER niece 36 Laundress born North Cadbury

Ann died in 1867.

William Eastment LAVER (1801-1835)

William Eastment LAVER was baptised in North Cadbury, Somerset on 20th April 1801 and was the eldest son of Jacob LAVER and Ann EASTMENT. William married Susannah GOULD in North Cadbury on 28th January 1822. Susannah was born in about 1801 and was the daughter of Joseph GOULD. William and Susannah had at least seven children together, all baptised in North Cadbury - Jane, baptised 9th January 1823; Frances, baptised 18th April 1824; William, baptised 14th May 1826; James, baptised 13th January 1828; Edwin, baptised 16th May 1830; Charles, baptised 25th December 1832, and Ann, baptised 17th May 1835, buried 19th February 1837.

William died in 1835 and was buried in North Cadbury on 28th June. Susannah LAVER (nee GOULD) subsequently married William's younger brother, Samuel, on 16th October 1837 in Marston, Somerset. Samuel and Susannah had a further four children together, again all baptised in North Cadbury - Keziah, baptised 27th May 1838; Anne, baptised 23rd February 1841, buried 30th May 1841; Thirsa, baptised 5th March 1843, and Ellen, born 12th July 1845, baptised 3rd April 1847. This is how the family appears in the 1841 and 1851 censuses:

North Cadbury, Somerset (1841)

Samuel LAVER aged 35 Mason Born in County
Susan LAVER wife 40 Laundress Born in County
William LAVER son 15 Labourer Born in County
Jane LAVER daughter 15 Born in County
Frances LAVER daughter 15 Born in County
James LAVER son 13 Labourer Born in County
Edwin LAVER son 12 Born in County
Charles LAVER son 8 Born in County
Keziah LAVER daughter 3 Born in County

Yarlington, Somerset (1851)

Samuel LAVER aged 47 Mason born North Cadbury
Susan LAVER wife 48 born North Cadbury
Kezia LAVER daughter 13 born North Cadbury
Ellen LAVER daughter 3 born North Cadbury

Samuel LAVER died in 1856 and was buried on 6th January. In 1861 Susannah was living in Woolston, a hamlet in the parish of North Cadbury, with two of her children:

Woolston, North Cadbury, Somerset

Susan LAVER widow aged 60 Laundress born North Cadbury
Edwin LAVER son 31 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury
Ellen LAVER daughter 15 Laundress born North Cadbury

In 1881 Susannah was living with her daughter Jane:

Cutty Lane, North Cadbury, Somerset

Susan LAVER widow aged 80 Mason's Widow born North Cadbury
Jane LAVER daughter 57 Mason's Daughter born North Cadbury

Susannah LAVER (nee GOULD) died in Woolston on 29th November 1885.

Edwin LAVER (b. 1830) married Elizabeth KING in 1861. She was born in Yarlington, Somerset in about 1835 and was the daughter of James and Ruth KING. Edwin and Elizabeth had at least five children together - Charles James, born c. 1862 in Ilchester, Somerset; John Alfred, born c. 1864 in North Cadbury; Eva Jane, born c. 1872 in Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset; Edwin, born c. 1875 in South Cadbury, and Emma Kate, born c. 1877 in South Cadbury. In 1871 Edwin, Elizabeth and their children were living in Compton Pauncefoot with Elizabeth's illegitimate son Harry:

Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset

Edwin LAVER aged 40 Gardener born North Cadbury, Somerset
Elizabeth LAVER wife 35 Laundress born Yarlington, Somerset
Harry LAVER son 11 Scholar born Yarlington, Somerset
James LAVER son 9 Scholar born Ilchester, Somerset
John LAVER son 7 Scholar born North Cadbury, Somersetdbury, Somerset, England   

Edwin LAVER died in 1876 and Elizabeth subsequently married Job CADDY in South Cadbury on 30th September 1880. Job was born in Buckhorn Weston, Dorset in about 1836 and was the son of Barnet CADDY and Grace HATCHER. This is how Job and Elizabeth appear in 1881 and 1891:

South Cadbury, Somerset (1881)

Job CADDY aged 44 Agricultural Labourer born Woolston, North Cadbury
Elizabeth CADDY wife 43 born Woolston, North Cadbury
Eva LAVER daughter 8 Scholar born Compton Pauncefoot
Edwin LAVER son 5 born South Cadbury
Emma LAVER daughter 3 born South Cadbury

Sutton Montis, Somerset (1891)

Job CADDY aged 54 Agricultural Labourer born Buckhorn Weston, Dorset
Elizabeth CADDY wife 55 Laundress born Woolston, Somerset
Harry KING son-in-law 32 Coachman (Domestic Servant) born Woolston, Somerset
Hubert E. LAVER son 15 General Labourer born South Cadbury, Somerset

Elizabeth CADDY (nee KING) died in 1900 and her husband Job died in 1903.

Ellen LAVER (b. 1845) married James FOOT in North Cadbury on 6th April 1865. James was born in Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset in about 1842 and was the son of Daniel and Eliza FOOT. James and Ellen had at least eight children together - Susan, born 19th November 1866 in Woolston, North Cadbury; Francis James, born c. 1869 in Compton Pauncefoot; Thirza Ann, born c. 1871 in Compton Pauncefoot; Marcus Sam, born c. 1874 in Compton Pauncefoot; Henrietta Jane, born c. 1876 in Compton Pauncefoot; Lilian, born c. 1878 in Compton Pauncefoot; Frances Florence, born c. 1883 in South Cadbury, Somerset, and Ellen Kate, born c. 1884 in North Cadbury. This is how the family appears in the 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses:

Compton Pauncefoot, Somerset (1871)

William LAVER (1825-1881)

William LAVER was baptised in North Cadbury, Somerset on 14th May 1826 and was the eldest son of William Eastment LAVER and Susannah GOULD. In 1851 William was living with Kezia LANCASHIRE in Woolston, as seen here in the census for that year:

Woolston, North Cadbury, Somerset

Kezia LANCASHIRE widow aged 25 Labourer's Widow born Sparkford, Somerset
Mary LANCASHIRE daughter 5 born North Cadbury, Somerset
Emily LANCASHIRE daughter 10 months born North Cadbury, Somerset
Caleb DENMAN lodger 30 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset.
William LAVER lodger 25 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Ann ANDREWS lodger 24 Glover born Yarlington, Somerset

William married Kezia LANCASHIRE in North Cadbury on 29th December 1853. Kezia was born in Sherborne, Dorset in about 1826 and was the daughter of William RUSSELL. She was the widow of Edward LANCASHIRE with whom she had had at least two children, both born in North Cadbury - Mary, born c. 1846, and Emily, born c. 1850. William and Kezia had at least nine children together, all born in Woolston - Charles James, baptised 15th March 1854, buried 28th May 1854; Amy, baptised 3rd June 1855; Sam, born 15th September 1857; William Edwin, baptised 14th August 1858; Susan Jane, baptised 13th April 1861; Charles, baptised 15th March 1863; Frances, baptised 9th June 1866; Jessie Agnes, born 29th January 1868, and Frank, born 1st February 1873. William worked as an agricultural labourer. This is how the family appears in the 1861 and 1871 censuses:

Woolston, North Cadbury (1861):

William LAVER aged 36 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Keziah LAVER wife 34 born Sherborne, Dorset
Emily LANCASHIRE daughter-in-law 10 Scholar born Woolston, Somerset
Amy LAVER daughter 6 Scholar born Woolston, Somerset
Sam LAVER son 3 born Woolston, Somerset
William Edwin LAVER son 1 born Woolston, Somerset
Susan Jane LAVER daughter 2 weeks born Woolston, Somerset

Woolston, North Cadbury, Somerset (1871):

William LAVER aged 47 Agricultural Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Kezia LAVER wife 44 Agricultural Labourer's Wife born Sherborne, Dorset
Amy LAVER daughter 15 Grocer born Woolston, Somerset
Samuel LAVER son 13 Agricultural Labourer born Woolston, Somerset
Willam LAVER son 10 born Woolston, Somerset
Susan LAVER daughter 8 born Woolston, Somerset
Charles LAVER son 7 born Woolston, Somerset
Fanny LAVER daughter 4 born Woolston, Somerset
Jessie LAVER daughter 2 born Woolston, Somerset

Kezia LAVER (nee RUSSELL) died of phthisis on 25th September 1876 in Woolston. In 1881 William was still living in Woolston with five of his children:

Lower Woolston, North Cadbury, Somerset

William LAVER widow aged 52 Ag Lab born North Cadbury, Somerset
Samuel LAVER son 22 Ag Lab born Woolston, Somerset
Charles LAVER son 17 Ag Lab born Woolston, Somerset
Fanny LAVER daughter 15 Housekeeper To Father born Woolston, Somerset
Jessie LAVER daughter 13 Scholar born Woolston, Somerset
Frank LAVER son 8 Scholar born Woolston, Somerset

William LAVER died on 13th May 1881 in Woolston.

Amy LAVER (b. 1855) married Randolph SATCHELL in London in 1885. Randolph was born in Rugby, Warwickshire in about 1864 and was the son of Francis SATCHELL and Mary OLDHAM. Amy and Randolph had at least one child together - William Randolph Everard, born c. 1885 in Pimlico, London. This is how the family appears in 1891 and 1901:

25 Hanover Street, St George Hanover Square, London (1891)

Randolph SATCHELL aged 24 Gentleman Servant born Rugby, Warwickshire
Amy SATCHELL wife 30 born Woolston, Somerset
William SATCHELL son 5 born Pimlico, London

Guinness Trust Buildings, Block H, No 279, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London (1901)

Randolph SATCHELL aged 36 Night Porter born Rugby, Warwickshire
Amy SATCHELL wife 44 born Woolston, Somerset
William E. R. SATCHELL son 15 Office Boy born Pimlico, London

William Edwin LAVER (b. 1858) married Mary Jane WHITE in Weymouth, Dorset in 1886. She was born in Blackford, Somerset in about 1864. William and Mary had at least two children together - Ida May, born c. 1888 in Stanton, Wiltshire, and Albert Edward, born c. 1890 in Freeland, Oxfordshire.

Susan Jane LAVER (b. 1861) married George MANVELL on 20th September 1886 in St John the Evangelist, St Pancras, London. George was born in Brighton, Sussex in about 1853 and was the son of George MANVELL and Ann ETHERIDGE. This is how George and Susan appear in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

20F Peabody Buildings, St John the Evangelist, Westminster, London (1891)

George MANVELL aged 37 Barman born Horsham, Sussex
Susan MANVELL wife 29 born Woolston, Somerset

Hambrook, St John the Baptist, Frenchay, Gloucestershire (1901)

George MANVELL aged 48 Haulier born Brighton, Sussex
Susan MANVELL wife 38 born Woolston, Somerset
Ivy LAVER niece 6 born St George, Gloucestershire
Ann BENNETT boarder widow 82 born Downend, Gloucestershire

George died in 1908 aged 54 and was buried at St John the Baptist, Frenchay, Gloucestershire.

Charles LAVER (b. 1863) married Eliza Jane STACEY on 3rd March 1891 in St Matthew, St George Hanover Square, Westminster, London. Eliza was born in Pen Selwood, Somerset in about 1865 and was the daughter of Richard STACEY and Alice WHITMARSH. Charles and Eliza had at least eight children together - William Charles, born 1st July 1893 at Peabody Buildings, Old Pye Street, Westminster, London; Ivy Gertrude Emma Beatrice, born 30th November 1894 in St George, Bristol; Jessie Agnes, born c. 1898 in St George; Beatrice May, born c. 1899 in St George; Reginald Hubert, born c. 1900 in St George; Clifford Randolph, born 12th February 1902 in St George; Wilfred Henry Albert, born 26th December 1903 at 4 Magpie Bottom Lane, St George, and Lily, born c. 1905 in St George. This is how they appear in 1891, 1901 and 1911:

26F Peabody Buildings, St John the Evangelist, Westminster, London (1891)

Charles LAVER aged 28 Kitchen Porter born Woolston, Somerset
Eliza LAVER wife 26 born Pen, Somerset

Magpie Top, St Michael, Two Mile Hill, Bristol (1901)

Charles LEVER aged 37 Gardener Labourer born Woolston, Somerset
Eliza LEVER wife 36 born Penn, Somerset
Charles LEVER son 7 School Boy born Westminster, London
Jessie LEVER daughter 2 born St George, Bristol
Beatrice LEVER daughter 1 born St George, Bristol
Hubert LEVER son 6 months born St George, Bristol

Magpie Top, St George, Bristol (1911)

Charles LAVER aged 42 Farm Labourer born Castle Cary, Somerset
Eliza LAVER wife 43 born Bourton, Dorset
William Charles LAVER son 17 Rounders Assistant born St George, Gloucestershire
Jessie LAVER daughter 12 born St George, Gloucestershire
Beatrice LAVER daughter 10 born St George, Gloucestershire
Reginald LAVER son 9 born St George, Gloucestershire
Clifford LAVER son 9 born St George, Gloucestershire
Wilfred LAVER son 7 born St George, Gloucestershire
Lily LAVER daughter 6 born St George, Gloucestershire

Charles LAVER died in 1938 at 4 Magpie Bottom Lane, St George. His widow Eliza died in 1944 at the same address.

Jessie Agnes LAVER (b. 1868) was living with the HARNOTT family in Islington, London in 1891:

45 Richmond Road, St Andrew, Islington, London

William S. HARNOTT aged 54 Assistant Music Publisher born Southwark, London
Sarah HARNOTT wife 52 born Foston, Derbyshire
William HARNOTT son 26 Printer’s Clerk born Camden, London
Annie HARNOTT daughter 24 Music Teacher born Vauxhall, Surrey
Luce FRANCIS boarder 26 Music Publisher born Marylebone, London
Jessie LAVER visitor 23 Bookkeeper born Woolston, Somerset
Emily SMITH servant 17 Domestic Servant born Islington, London
James H. NEW boarder 24 Warehouseman Publishers born Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire
Herbert HILL boarder 22 Warehouseman Publishers born Southampton, Hampshire

Jessie married William HARNOTT on 14th February 1892 in Islington, London. William was born in Camden Town, London on 4th November 1864 and was the son of William Smailes HARNOTT and Sarah Mary FRANCIS. William and Jessie had two children together - William Latimer, born 19th July 1901 in London, and Christina Rose, born 15th April 1903. This is how William and Jessie appear in the 1901 census:

377 Camden Road, Islington, London

William HARNOTT aged 35 Clerk Commercial born Camden Town, London
Jessie A. HARNOTT wife 26 born Woolston, Somerset

Frank LAVER (b. 1873) married Juan DOWLE on 5th April 1910 in The Register Office, Bristol. She was born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales in about 1888 and was the daughter of James DOWLE and Eleanor MORGAN. The witnesses to the marriage were Frank's sister and brother-in-law Jessie and William HARNOTT.

James LAVER (1828-1884)

James LAVER was baptised in North Cadbury, Somerset on 13th January 1828 and was the second son of William Eastment LAVER and Susannah GOULD. He married Margaret SIMPSON who was born in Johnshaven in the parish of Benholm, Scotland in about 1831. According to "The Parson's Quarter Companion", James was a regular soldier, serving for some years in Burma and India. On one of his first trips abroad his eldest son died and was buried at sea. James and Margaret had at least seven other children - Susan, born c. 1861 in Burma; Jane, born c. 1863 in Madras; Ellen, born c. 1864 in Gosport, Hampshire; Louisa, born c. 1866 in St Helier, Jersey; Charles James, born c. 1868 in North Cadbury; Arthur, born c. 1871 in North Cadbury, and May, born c. 1876 in North Cadbury. James and Margaret settled in North Cadbury in the 1860s and spent their last married years together at Ridgway Cottages. This is how the family appears in the 1871 and 1881 censuses:

North Cadbury, Somerset (1871):

James LAVER aged 42 Pensioner & Farm Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Margaret LAVER wife 36 born Scotland
Susan LAVER daughter 10 Scholar born Burmah, East India
Jane LAVER daughter 9 Scholar born Madras, East India
Ellen LAVER daughter 7 Scholar born Gosport, Hampshire
Louise LAVER daughter 5 Scholar born St Helier, Guernsey
Charles James LAVER son 2 born North Cadbury, Somerset

West Be Lane, North Cadbury, Somerset (1881)

James LAVER aged 53 Pensioner From Army born North Cadbury
Margaret LAVER wife 49 Pensioner's Wife born Johnshaven, Scotland
Charles LAVER son 12 Ag Lab born North Cadbury
Arthur LAVER son 9 Scholar born North Cadbury
May LAVER daughter 4 Scholar born North Cadbury

James LAVER died in 1884. In 1891 his widow Margaret was still living in North Cadbury with one of her daughters:

West Lane, North Cadbury, Somerset

Margaret LAVER widow aged 59 Laundress born Benholm, Scotland
May LAVER daughter 14 born North Cadbury

Susan LAVER (b. 1861) was living in Bathwick, Somerset in 1881, as seen here in the census for that year:

28 Sydney Bldgs, Bathwick, Somerset

John S. HELLIER aged 42 Clerk in Holy Orders born Stadhampton, Oxford
Frances W.S. HELLIER wife 45 born Weston Bampfylde, Somerset
John S. HELLIER son 14 Scholar born Dudley, Worcester
Caroline A.S. HELLIER daughter 11 Scholar born Weston Bampfylde, Somerset
Camilla F.S. HELLIER daughter 8 Scholar born Weston Bampfylde, Somerset
Grace LEWIS servant 41 Cook Domestic Servant born Twerton, Somerset
Susan LAVER servant 19 Housemaid born Burmah, India

Jane LAVER (b. 1863) married Samuel HERMAN in Bristol in 1887. Samuel was born in the hamlet of Galhampton in the parish of North Cadbury in about 1862 and was the son of George HERMAN and Sarah BIGGIN. Samuel and Jane had two children together - Alice and Kate, both born in Galhampton on 6th December 1888. In 1891 and 1901 the family was living in Castle Cary:

4 Abbey Cottages, Castle Cary, Somerset (1891)

Samuel HERMAN aged 28 Butcher born Galhampton, Somerset
Jane HERMAN wife 28 born Madras, India
Kate HERMAN daughter 3 born Galhampton, Somerset
Alice HERMAN daughter 3 born Galhampton, Somerset 

4 Abbey Cottages, Castle Cary, Somerset (1901)

Samuel HERMAN aged 39 Butcher born Galhampton, North Cadbury
Jane HERMAN wife 38 born India
Kate HERMAN daughter 13 At School born Galhampton, North Cadbury
Alice HERMAN daughter 13 At School born Galhampton, North Cadbury

Samuel owned the Britannia Hotel in Castle Cary and employed George SWEET, a friend's son, to work with him in the kitchen. The family were very musical and both Alice and Kate learned to play the piano and viola. By 1912 business had began to slow. Jane's younger brother, Arthur, had already emigrated to the United States and had been writing to his family back in England about the opportunities to be found across the Atlantic. Samuel eventually decided to take his family to America. George SWEET would accompany them, having received permission from his family to do so.

Samuel booked Second Class accomodation for his family and George on the maiden voyage of RMS Titanic. On the night of Sunday 14th April 1912 Samuel was enjoying a stroll and a cigar on the boat deck. Jane had retired for the evening, while Alice and Kate were socialising with some young men whom they had befriended on the journey. At 11.40 p.m. Titanic struck an iceberg. Samuel, Alice and Kate returned immediately to their accomodation. Samuel told his daughters to remain with their mother while he went to investigate the situation, and upon his return he told them all to dress and led them up on deck. By this time the crew were already filling the lifeboats and Samuel handed Jane, Alice and Kate into one of the boats while he and George remained on deck. Titanic sank at 2.20 a.m. Over 1,500 people were lost in the tragedy, including Samuel and George.

Jane, Alice and Kate were among the 705 survivors collected by the Carpathia. They arrived in New York on 18th April 1912 and were met by Jane's brother Arthur and his friend William David CLELAND. Jane eventually found employment in America and was soon on the road to recovery. Alice married William CLELAND in 1912 with whom she had four children - Muriel, born 1915; John, born 1918; Norman, born 1919, and Basil, born 11th September 1920. Alice was well-liked by her friends and hosted many parties. She also continued to play the piano. Kate married Walter George PARSONS on 6th January 1914 and moved with him to Portland, Oregon where they had three children together - Hermoine, born 1915, and twin sons Herman and Norman, born 6th October 1917.

Jane returned to England in the 1920's to visit her family and friends. In the 1920 and 1930 US censuses she is shown living with her daughter and son-in-law in Somerset County, New Jersey:

Peapack Road, Bedminster Township, Somerset, New Jersey (1920)

Wm. CLEANAND aged 41 Farmer born England
Alice CLEANAND wife 26 born England
Muriel CLEANAND daughter 5 born New Jersey
Jack CLEANAND son 2 born New Jersey
Norman CLEANAND son 1 born New Jersey
Jane HERMAN mother-in-law 52 Housekeeper born England

Bedminster Township, Somerset, New Jersey (1930)

Wm. D. CLELAND aged 52 Proprietor of Boarding Stables born England
Alice CLELAND wife 41 born England
Muriel CLELAND daughter 16 born New Jersey
Jack CLELAND son 13 born New Jersey
Norman CLELAND son 11 born New Jersey
Basil CLELAND son 8 born New Jersey
Jane HERMAN mother-in-law 67 born England
Maurice RUTHERFORD boarder 28 Groom born Tennessee
Earl R. KIRBY boarder 25 Groom born Virginia
John D. DINKA boarder 18 Groom born New Jersey

Jane HERMAN (nee LAVER) died on 16th January 1937 aged 73 and was buried in St. Bernard's Churchyard in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Alice CLELAND (nee HERMAN) died on 23rd March 1947 in Somerset County, New Jersey aged only 59 and was buried near her mother in St Bernard's Churchyard. Kate PARSONS (nee HERMAN), one of the last survivors of the Titanic tragedy, died in Portland on 18th January 1983 at the age of 95.

Ellen LAVER (b. 1864) married George Henry NORRIS in 1887 in Sherborne, Dorset. George was born in Sherborne in about 1863 and was the daughter of William and Jane NORRIS. George and Ellen had at least five children together, all born in Sherborne - Ellen Louisa, born c. 1888; Emma Jane, born c. 1889; Margaret, born c. 1891; Beatrice May, born c. 1894, and Mary, born c. 1899. This is how George and Ellen appear in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Union Street, Sherborne, Dorset (1891)

George H. NORRIS aged 27 Carpenter born Sherborne, Dorset
Ellen NORRIS wife 26 born Gosport, Hants
Ellen L. NORRIS daughter 3 born Sherborne, Dorset
Emma J. NORRIS daughter 18 months born Sherborne, Dorset

51 Longfield Road, Sherborne, Dorset (1901)

George H. NORRIS aged 36 Carpenter born Sherborne, Dorset
Ellen NORRIS wife 35 born Gosport, Hants
Ellen L. NORRIS daughter 12 born Sherborne, Dorset
Emma J. NORRIS daughter 11 born Sherborne, Dorset
Margaret NORRIS daughter 9 born Sherborne, Dorset
Beatrice M. NORRIS daughter 7 born Sherborne, Dorset
Mary NORRIS daughter 1 born Sherborne, Dorset

Louisa LAVER (b. 1866) was working for the CLAPIN family in Sherborne in 1881:

Green Hill, Sherborne, Dorset

Alfred C. CLAPIN aged 54 Master Of Arts Clerk In Orders Without Care Of Souls born France
Katherine M.S. CLAPIN wife 48 born Guernsey, Channel Islands
Katherine L. CLAPIN daughter 13 Scholar born Sherborne, Dorset
Alfred C. CLAPIN son 11 Scholar born Sherborne, Dorset
Mary P. CLAPIN daughter 8 Scholar born Sherborne, Dorset
Augusta C.G. CLAPIN daughter 5 Scholar born Sherborne, Dorset
Euphemia C. SCOTT governess 20 Governess born London
Louisa LAVER servant 16 Domestic Servant Housemaid born Jersey, Channel Islands
Ellen MARTIN servant 16 Domestic Servant Cook born Trent, Somerset

Louisa married William Joseph NORRIS in Sherborne in 1890. William was born in Sherborne in about 1867 and was the younger brother of George Henry NORRIS. William and Louisa had at least two children together, both born in Bristol - William George, born c. 1894, and Gertrude May, born c. 1896. This is how William and Louisa appear in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

244 York Road, Bedminster, Bristol (1891)

William J. NORRIS aged 23 Cabinet Maker born Sherborne, Dorset
Louisa NORRIS wife 24 born Jersey

12 Heath Street, St Thomas the Apostle, Eastville, Bristol (1901)

William J. NORRIS aged 33 Cabinet Maker born Sherborne, Dorset
Louisa NORRIS wife 34 born Jersey
William G. NORRIS son 6 Scholar born Bristol
Gertrude M. NORRIS daughter 4 born Bristol

Charles James LAVER (b. 1868) went to London to 'seek his fortune' and joined the Metropolitan Police as a mounted constable. According to "The Parson's Quarter Companion" he was also very musical and played several instruments competently and wrote musical scores. When he returned to visit his sister and cousins in North Cadbury he always brought his cornet with him and played it up at Green Lane to a very appreciative audience - the local dairy herd! Charles married Ethel Ida BROUGHTON in Wandsworth, London in 1900. Ethel was born in Wandsworth in about 1878 and was the daughter of John and Sarah Ann BROUGHTON. This is how they appear in the 1901 census:

54 Merton Road, Wandsworth, London

Charles J. LAVER aged 32 Police Constable born North Cadbury, Somerset
Ethel I. LAVER wife 22 born Wandsworth, Surrey

Arthur LAVER (b. 1871) emigrated to America in the 1890s and married a French lady called Celestine. Arthur and Celestine had at least one child together - Louise, born in New York in about 1902. Arthur worked as a steward at Somerset Hills Country Club in Bernardsville, New Jersey. This is how he appears in the 1910 and 1920 US censuses:

Four Hills Village, Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey (1910)

Arthur LAVER aged 38 Steward born England
Celestine LAVER wife 46 born France
Louise LAVER daughter 8 born New York

Bernardsville, Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey (1920)

Arthur LAVER aged 49 Steward born England
Celestine LAVER wife 52 born Alsace
Louise LAVER daughter 18 born New York

Sam LAVER (1857-1937)

Sam LAVER was born in Sunnyhill Cottages, Woolston on 15th September 1857. He was the son of William LAVER and Kezia RUSSELL. He was registered as 'Sam' when he was born and was also baptised as 'Sam', but he appears as 'Samuel' on all other records and when he witnessed the marriage of his daughter Ethel May he signed his name 'Samuel Laver'. Sam married Emma Jane STACEY in North Cadbury on 28th July 1881. Emma was born in Pen Selwood, Somerset on 13th July 1862 and was the daughter of Richard STACEY and Alice WHITMARSH. She was the older sister of Sam's sister-in-law Eliza Jane STACEY. Sam and Emma had at least ten children together - William Henry, born 2nd December 1882 in Minchington, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset; Ethel May, born 17th April 1884 in Woolston; Herbert Leslie, born 31st May 1886 in Woolston; Jessie Agnes Kezia, born 1st April 1888 in Woolston; Frank John, born 25th October 1889 in Woolston; Ethel May, born 23rd January 1892 in Woolston; Susie Kezia Russell, born 31st March 1894 in Hambrook, Gloucestershire; Amy, born 20th November 1896 in Hambrook; Frances Ellen, born 22nd July 1899 in Hambrook, and Cyril Albert Edward, born 3rd April 1902 in Hambrook. In 1891 the family was living in Woolston:

Woolston, North Cadbury, Somerset

Samuel LAVER aged 32 Farm Labourer born Woolston, Somerset
Emma LAVER wife 29 born Bourton, Dorset
William LAVER son 7 Scholar born Cashmoor, Dorset
Herbert LAVER son 4 born Woolston, Somerset
Jessey LAVER daughter 2 born Woolston, Somerset
Frank LAVER son 1 born Woolston, Somerset
Frank LAVER brother 18 Farm Labourer born Woolston, Somerset

In the early 1890s the family moved to Hambrook, a hamlet in the parish of St John the Baptist, Frenchay, Gloucestershire. The children that were born here were all registered with the surname LEVER or LEAVER, and the family are shown with the surname LEAVER in the 1901 census. It's possible that they may have changed their name for some reason, though it seems more likely that Sam and Emma spoke with thick West Country accents and their name was simply misspelt by local officials. This latter explanation is supported by the fact that all of these children married as LAVERs. The eldest son, William Henry, was also registered with the surname LEAVER when he was born, but unlike his siblings he would continue to use this name throughout his life. This is how the family appears in the 1901 and 1911 censuses:

Hambrook, St John the Baptist, Frenchay, Gloucestershire (1901)

Samuel LEAVER aged 46 Carter on Farm born Woolston, Somerset
Emma LEAVER wife 40 born Pen, Dorset
William LEAVER son 18 Railway Goods Porter born Sixpenny Handley, Wiltshire
Herbert LEAVER son 14 Gardener Domestic born Woolston, Somerset
Jessie LEAVER daughter 12 born Woolston, Somerset
Frank LEAVER son 11 born Woolston, Somerset
May LEAVER daughter 9 born Woolston, Somerset
Susan LEAVER daughter 7 born Hambrook, Gloucestershire
Amy LEAVER daughter 5 born Hambrook, Gloucestershire
Frances LEAVER daughter 2 born Hambrook, Gloucestershire

Hambrook, Bristol (1911)

Samuel LAVER aged 52 General Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Emma LAVER wife 50 born Bourton, Dorset
Frank LAVER son 21 General Labourer born North Cadbury, Somerset
Frances LAVER daughter 12 Scholar born Hambrook, Gloucestershire
Albert LAVER son 10 Scholar born Hambrook, Gloucestershire

Sam and Emma moved to 18 Belmont Street, Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol in around 1920. Emma LAVER (nee STACEY) died at this address on 18th November 1933. Her husband Sam died on 18th July 1937 at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

William Henry LEAVER (b. 1882) married Eliza Ann ROACH on 11th July 1903 in St John The Baptist, Frenchay. Eliza was born in Winterbourne, Gloucestershire in about 1883 and was the daughter of John ROACH. Eliza died on 8th January 1949 and William later married Carrie ROACH on 22nd October 1949 in  St John The Baptist, Frenchay. William died in 1957.

Ethel May LEAVER (b. 1884) died of whooping cough on 10th January 1890 in Woolston aged 5. Although registered as Ethel May LEAVER when she was born, she was baptised as Ethel Mary LAVER and this is also how her name was recorded on her death certificate.

Herbert Leslie LAVER (b. 1886) married Florence CROSS on 22nd January 1910 in Christ Church, Downend, Gloucestershire. Florence was born in Downend in about 1888 and was the daughter of George Brown and Sarah CROSS. Herbert died on 21st July 1911 in the Bristol Royal Infirmary aged just 24.  An inquest was held into the circumstances surrounding his death and was reported in the Bristol Times & Mirror on 25th July:

"Death under anaesthetic.  An inquest was held by the Bristol deputy coroner (Mr. F. Richardson), at the Central Mortuary Court, Merchant Street, yesterday, on the body of Herbert Leslie Laver, aged 24 years, late of The Hollies, Hambrook.  Medical evidence was given that deceased was admitted to the Royal Infirmary suffering from acute appendicitis and consequent peritonitis.  An operation was performed, but he got worse, and, as a desperate resort, a further operation was decided on.  He was too weak to take either chloroform or ether, so gas was administered.  At first he took it well, but after about five minutes his heart stopped suddenly.  Death was inevitable had not the operation been performed, but it might have been a very little accelerated by the anaesthetic in his weak condition.  Every care was taken in the administration of the gas.  The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence."

Herbert was buried in Frenchay on 26th July 1911. Two of his nephews - Mervyn Herbert Leslie LEAVER and Cyril Herbert Leslie LAVER, my grandfather, were named after him.

Frank John LAVER (b. 1889) worked as a hotel porter in London and married Annie Louisa WATTS on 28th November 1924 in the Register Office, St Marylebone, London. Annie was born in about 1888 and was the daughter of James SHARMAN and the widow of George William WATTS. Frank died of tuberculosis on 12th March 1928 at 9 Howard House, Cleveland Street, Marylebone, London aged only 38.

Ethel May LAVER (b. 1892) married Robert STIDDARD on 17th November 1923 in All Hallows, Easton, Bristol. Robert was born in about 1882 and was the son of James STIDDARD and Emma HARWOOD. Robert died in 1948 and Ethel subsequently married Henry George WEIGHT on 24th March 1951 in St John, Fishponds, Bristol. Henry was born in Bristol on 25th November 1888 and was the son of Walter Samuel WEIGHT and Esther Adelaide GOLDING. Henry died in 1974 at 38 Thicket Avenue, Fishponds. Ethel died at the same address on 30th April 1976 in a fire caused by her smoking a cigarette in bed.

Susie Kezia Russell LEVER (b. 1894) was diagnosed with diphtheria on 25th October 1906 while at Hambrook School and was sent to the isolation hospital in Chipping Sodbury four days later. She married Ernest Henry VAGUE on 8th September 1926 in the Register Office, Bristol. Ernest was born in about 1887 in Plymouth, Devon and was the son of Edmund Charles VAGUE and Elizabeth Lavinia AUSTIN, although the marriage certificate shows Ernest's father as Edward rather than Edmund. Ernest previously married Rhoda Jane PINCH in 1910 but their marriage ended in divorce. Ernest died in 1928 and Susie later married Edward Henry HILLIER on 21st January 1931 in the Register Office, Bristol. Edward was born in Bristol in about 1903 and was the son of Frederick William HILLIER. Susie HILLER died in 1976.

Amy LEVER (b. 1896) married Albert Edward BAKER on 26th January 1924 in St Mark, Easton, Bristol. Albert was born in about 1893 and was the son of Thomas BAKER. Amy died in Bristol in 1971.

Frances Ellen LEVER (b. 1899) married Frederick William JENKINS on 14th August 1926 in St Mark, Easton. Frederick was born in about 1899 and was the son of Frederick William JENKINS.

Cyril Herbert Leslie LAVER (b. 1921) married Dorothy Irene WILLIAMS on 17th April 1943 in St Werburgh, Bristol. She was born on 17th April 1924 in Bristol and is the daughter of Herbert Edgar WILLIAMS and Ada Emily NECK. Cyril and Dorothy are my grandparents.

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