---

THE MATTHEWS & WEBB FAMILIES OF BRINKWORTH AND BRISTOL, ENGLAND
 

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

Meaning Of The Names

Thomas MATTHEWS (1781-1851)

William MATTHEWS (1815-1897)

Edward MATTHEWS (1818-1898)

Richard MATTHEWS (1849-1932)

William MATTHEWS (1888-1957)

Reuben WEBB (1805-1883)

John Joseph WEBB (1827-1903)

Introduction

Despite being the family from which my own surname originates, I have as yet not undertaken a great deal of research into the MATTHEWS family of Brinkworth, largely because it is a daunting task - in the early 18th century one out of every eight baptisms in Brinkworth was for a child with the surname MATTHEWS. Piecing together my MATTHEWS roots in Brinkworth has therefore proved somewhat challenging! However, I feel obliged to include some details about the family on my website, and I have done my best to piece together the evidence I have ...

This webpage would not have been possible without CLIVE HENLY's transcriptions of the Brinkworth Parish Registers. I am also grateful to MIRIAM SAUNDERS, GRAHAM PRICE and EVELINE BUNCE for providing information about Eleanor, Elizabeth and Ada MATTHEWS and JOHN BURROWS and MARGARET BISSETT for providing details about the family of Robert MATTHEWS and Fanny NORTH. I would also like to thank PAT BULLEY for her Brinkworth burial transcriptions as well as PAUL VIVASH, STAN MAPSTONE, JIM FISHER and ANN PARFITT for providing extracts from various sources with regard to the derivation of the names "MATTHEWS" and "WEBB". I am also grateful to the members of the Wessex Genealogy Mailing List, as well as the Bristol, Chippenham and Swindon Register Offices. The photographs on this page come from my own family album with the exception of the photo of George Albert MATTHEWS which was kindly donated by my cousin Sue HANMORE. 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.

MATTHEWS is derived from "son of Matthew".  This biblical name means "gift of God" and was introduced into England by the Normans.  Early examples are:  MATHIU and MATHEUS found in the Domesday Book of 1086 and Alan MATHEW (Assize Rolls, Cambridgeshire 1260).

The surnames WEBB and WEBBER both originate from the Old English "webba" or "webbe" meaning "weaver". The cognate WEBSTER was originally a feminine name. Early examples include Alger se WEBBA (Devonshire, c. 1100-30), Jernagon, Osbert and Wigor WEBBE (Suffolk, 1221), Elyas le WEBBE (Oxfordshire, 1255), and Alice la WEBBE (Court Rolls of the Borough of Colchester, 1337). The name is common in the Midlands as well as Wiltshire and Somerset.

This information comes from "The Oxford Dictionary of Surnames" by P.H. REANEY, "The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames" by Dr BASIL COTTLE and "A Dictionary of Surnames" by PATRICK HANKS & FLAVIA HODGES.

Thomas MATTHEWS was baptised on 28th January 1781 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire. He may have been the son of Thomas MATTHEWS and Mary LAWRANCE, who married on 15th November 1769 in Brinkworth. Thomas worked as an agricultural labourer and he married a lady called Elizabeth. Elizabeth was born in Lyneham, Wiltshire in about 1781. Thomas and Elizabeth appear to have had at least eleven children together, all baptised in Brinkworth - Charles, baptised 28th March 1802; James, baptised 16th June 1804; Margaret, baptised 23rd March 1806; George, baptised 20th December 1807; Stephen, baptised 11th February 1810; Mary, baptised 19th January 1812; Thomas, baptised 22nd August 1813; William, baptised 15th October 1815; Edward, baptised 29th March 1818; Isaac, baptised 10th November 1822, and Susanna, baptised 10th November 1822. This is how Thomas and Elizabeth appear in the 1841 and 1851 censuses:

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1841)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 60 Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Betty MATTHEWS aged 60 born Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS aged 25 born Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS aged 20 born Wiltshire
Isaac MATTHEWS aged 20 born Wiltshire

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 74 Pauper Former Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Betty MATTHEWS wife 70 Pauper born Lyneham, Wiltshire

Thomas MATTHEWS died in Brinkworth on 2nd December 1851 and was buried four days later.

James MATTHEWS (b. 1804) married Charlotte GREENWOOD on 12th April 1841 in Brinkworth. She was born in Purton, Wiltshire in about 1816. James and Charlotte had at least four children together, all born in Brinkworth - Matilda Emma, born c. 1844; Urania Martha, born c. 1846; Julia Sarah, born c. 1849, and  Samuel, born c. 1854 in Brinkworth. This is how the family appears in the 1841, 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses:

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1841)

James MATTHEWS aged 35 Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Charlotte MATTHEWS aged 25 born Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS aged 7 born Wiltshire

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

James MATTHEWS aged 46 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Charlotte MATTHEWS wife 34 born Purton, Wiltshire
Matilda Emma MATTHEWS daughter 7 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Urania Martha MATTHEWS daughter 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Julia Sarah MATTHEWS daughter 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
William GREENWOOD nephew 14 Errand Boy born Laycock , Wiltshire
Sarah HUNT visitor widow 63 Former Laundress born Horsley, Gloucestershire

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

James MATTHEWS aged 56 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Charlotte MATTHEWS wife 44 Agricultural Labourer's Wife born Purton, Wiltshire
Urania MATTHEWS daughter 14 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Julia MATTHEWS daughter 11 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Samuel MATTHEWS son 7 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

James MATTHEWS aged 66 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Charlotte MATTHEWS wife 55 Labourer's Wife born Purton, Wiltshire
Samuel MATTHEWS son 17 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Robert MATTHEWS nephew 22 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Pitts Lands Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

George MATTHEWS aged 30 Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Susanna MATTHEWS aged 18 born Wiltshire
Jane MATTHEWS aged 3 born Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS aged 9 months born Wiltshire
Henry BREADMORE aged 8 born Wiltshire

George subsequently married Mary BATH in 1844. Mary was born in Brinkworth in about 1807 and was the daughter of William and Hannah BATH. George and Mary had at least four children together, all born in Brinkworth - Nehemiah, born 22nd February 1845, Hezekiah, born 30th May 1847; Hannah Maria, born 4th November 1849, and James, born 26th June 1852. This is how the family appears in the 1851 and 1871 censuses:

Dovey's, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

George MATTHEWS aged 43 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 43 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS son 11 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Nehemiah MATTHEWS son 6 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hezekiah MATTHEWS son 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS daughter 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

George MATTHEWS aged 63 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 63 Labourer's Wife born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Nehemiah MATTHEWS son 26 Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Thomas MATTHEWS (b. 1813) married Winifred SELLWOOD on 11th May 1837 in Brinkworth. Winifred was born in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire in about 1818. Thomas and Winifred had at least five children together, all born in Brinkworth - James, born c. 1838; Silas, born c. 1841, Eli, born 15th February 1845, Stephen, born c. 1852 and Edwin, born c. 1858. This is how the family appears in the 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1841)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 25 Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Winifred MATTHEWS aged 22 born Wiltshire
James MATTHEWS aged 3 born Wiltshire
Silas MATTHEWS aged 1 born Wiltshire
Simon CLEVERLY aged 25 Railway Labourer born Wiltshire
Stephen BISHOP aged 25 Railway Labourer born Wiltshire

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 36 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Winifred MATTHEWS wife 33 born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
James MATTHEWS son 13 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Silas MATTHEWS son 10 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Eli MATTHEWS son 6 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 47 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Winifred MATTHEWS wife 42 born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Eli MATTHEWS son 16 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Stephen MATTHEWS son 9 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS son 3 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mary SELLWOOD relative 78 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 58 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Winifred MATTHEWS wife 56 Labourer's Wife born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Stephen MATTHEWS son 19 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS son 13 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

Thomas MATTHEWS aged 67 Farm Labourer born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Winifred MATTHEWS wife 64 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS son 23 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Thomas MATTHEWS (b. 1813) died in 1894 and was buried in Brinkworth on 12th December of the same year.

William MATTHEWS was born on 25th February 1815 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth MATTHEWS. He married Hannah BREADMORE on 31st December 1843 in Brinkworth.  Hannah was born on 5th January 1823 in Brinkworth and was the daughter of William BREADMORE and Hannah MATTHEWS. She was the younger sister of Eliza BREADMORE, the first wife of George MATTHEWS. William and Hannah had at least ten children together, all born in Brinkworth - Eliza, born c. 1844; Jacob, born c. 1846; Robert, born 15th April 1849; Margaret, born c. 1853; Jane, born c. 1855; Mark, born c. 1859; Isaac, born 20th June 1861; Sarah, born c. 1864; Friend, born 29th December 1865, and Frank, born c. 1869. William also lived in Callow Hill Lane, as seen here in the 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses (the 'Frederick' who appears in the 1871 census is probably Friend):

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

William MATTHEWS aged 37 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS wife 27 Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Eliza MATTHEWS daughter 7 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jacob MATTHEWS 5 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Robert MATTHEWS son 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Henry BREADMORE nephew 18 Agricultural Labourer born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

William MATTHEWS aged 46 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS wife 38 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jacob MATTHEWS son 15 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret MATTHEWS daughter 8 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jane MATTHEWS daughter 5 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mark MATTHEWS son 2 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah BREADMORE mother-in-law widow 73 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire 

Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

William MATTHEWS aged 48 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth
Hannah MATTHEWS wife 42 Labourer's Wife born Brinkworth
Eliza MATTHEWS daughter 27 Labourer's Daughter born Brinkworth
Jacob MATTHEWS son 25 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth
Jane MATTHEWS daughter 17 Labourer's Daughter born Brinkworth
Isaac MATTHEWS son 11 Labourer's Son born Brinkworth
Sarah A. MATTHEWS daughter 7 Labourer's Daughter born Brinkworth
Frederick MATTHEWS son 5 Labourer's Son born Brinkworth
Frank MATTHEWS son 2 Labourer's Son born Brinkworth

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

William MATTHEWS aged 66 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS wife 56 Labourer's Wife born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jacob MATTHEWS son 35 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mark MATTHEWS son 22 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

William MATTHEWS aged 76 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth
Hannah MATTHEWS wife 68 born Brinkworth
Jacob MATTHEWS son 44 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth

William MATTHEWS died in 1897 and was buried in Brinkworth on the 8th March of the same year.

Robert MATTHEWS (b. 1849) immigrated to Western Australia, departing from Gravesend, Kent on 29th June 1880 on board the Charlotte Padbury and arriving in Fremantle on 30th September 1880. He had been nominated by Samuel Pole PHILLIPS of the Swan River colony who had visited England with the express mission of recruiting farm labourers. Robert married Fanny NORTH on 10th November 1880 in St George's Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia. Fanny was born in about 1855 in Derbyshire, England and was the daughter of Thomas NORTH. Fanny had also travelled to Western Australia aboard the Charlotte Padbury.

Robert and Fanny had ten children together - Hannah, born 13th August 1881 in Perth; Lucy Roberta, born 28th January 1883 in Perth; Robert William Thomas, born 23rd July 1884 in Crawley, Western Australia; Edward Hope, born 25th April 1886 in Perth; Friend, born 30th December 1887 in Perth; Frances Elizabeth, born 1889 in Perth; Ruby Helena, born 18th October 1890 in Perth; Ernest Charles, born 22nd December 1892 in Perth; James Irwin, born 1893 in Perth, and Albert Harold, born 8th October 1895 in Nedlands, Western Australia.

Robert MATTHEWS died on 29th September 1913 in Claremont, Western Australia and his wife Fanny died on 28th July 1926 in Western Australia. They were both buried in Karrakatta Cemetery, Western Australia.

Mark MATTHEWS (b. 1859) married Emily Jane SPENCER in about 1883. She was born in about 1854 in Brinkworth. Mark and Emily had at least three children together, all born in Brinkworth - Frank, born c. 1887; William John, born c. 1889, and Florence, born c. 1892. This is how the family appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

Mark MATTHEWS aged 34 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth
Emily MATTHEWS wife 37 born Brinkworth
Frank MATTHEWS son 4 born Brinkworth
William MATTHEWS son 1 born Brinkworth

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1901)

Mark MATTHEWS aged 42 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth
Emily J. MATTHEWS wife 46 born Brinkworth
Frank MATTHEWS son 14 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth
William J. MATTHEWS son 11 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth
Florence MATTHEWS daughter 9 born Brinkworth

Mark MATTHEWS died in about 1927. His daughter Florence married Edward MATTHEWS on 23rd September 1909 in Malmesbury Register Office, Wiltshire. Edward was born in Brinkworth in about 1882 and was the son of Richard MATTHEWS and Emma WEBB. He was also Florence's second cousin.

Isaac MATTHEWS (b. 1861) married Annie Maria DIXON on 28 April 1888 in Malmesbury. Annie was born in Brinkworth in about 1866 and was the daughter of Moses and Elizabeth DIXON. Isaac and Annie had at least five children together, all born in Grittenham, Wiltshire - Alfred William, born c. 1888; Louisa Charlotte, born c. 1891; Edgar Thomas, born c. 1894; Elizabeth, born c. 1899, and Robert, born c. 1901. This is how the family appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

Nr School, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1901)

Isaac MATTHEWS died in 1941.

Friend MATTHES (b. 1865) married Ruth PINNELL on 26th February 1887 in The Register Office, Highworth, Wiltshire. Ruth was born in about 1865 in Brinkworth and was the daughter Thomas PINNELL and Rachel SELBY. Friend and Ruth had at least four children together, all born in Brinkworth - Victoria Lily, born c. 1888; Rose, born c. 1890; Beatrice May, born c. 1894, and William Thomas, born c. 1899. This is how the family appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Edward MATTHEWS was baptised on 29th March 1818 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth MATTHEWS. Edward married Martha MOULDER on 25th December 1845 in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. Martha was born in Brinkworth in about 1819 and was the daughter of John MOULDER. Edward and Martha had at least six children together, all born in Brinkworth - Louisa, born c. 1846; Charles, born c. 1848; Richard, born 5th May 1849; Henry, born c. 1851; Hannah, born c. 1853, and Alfred, born c. 1863. Edward MATTHEWS lived his whole life in Callow Hill in Brinkworth where he worked as either an agricultural or farm labourer, as seen here in the 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses:

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

Edward MATTHEWS Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Martha MATTHEWS wife 33 born Lydiard, Wiltshire
Louisa MATTHEWS daughter 5 born Lydiard, Wiltshire
Charles MATTHEWS son 3 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Richard MATTHEWS son 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Callow Hill Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

Edward MATHEWS aged 43 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Martha MATHEWS wife 42 born Lydiard, Wiltshire
Louisa MATHEWS daughter 15 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Charles MATHEWS son 13 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Richard MATHEWS son 11 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Henry MATHEWS son 9 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS daughter 7 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Cottage, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

Edward MATTHEWS aged 53 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Martha MATTHEWS wife 52 Labourer's Wife born Lydiard, Wiltshire
Louisa MATTHEWS daughter 25 Labourer's Daughter born Lydiard, Wiltshire
Richard MATTHEWS son 21 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS son 19 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS son 9 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

Edward MATTHEWS aged 63 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Martha MATTHEWS wife 62 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS son 18 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Annie TWINE granddaughter 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Cottage, Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Edward MATTHEWS aged 73 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Martha MATTHEWS wife 72 born Lydiard Tregoze, Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS son 28 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Edward MATTHEWS died on 25th April 1898 in Callow Hill, Brinkworth and was buried in Brinkworth on 2nd May of the same year. His wife Martha died on 27th October 1900 in the Workhouse, Brokenborough, Wiltshire and was buried in Brinkworth on 1st November of the same year.

Louisa MATTHEWS (b. 1846) married Job TWINE on 1st February 1873 in Brinkworth. Job was born in about 1846 in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth TWINE. Job and Louisa had at least four children together, all born in Brinkworth - Angelina Annie, born c. 1877; Brazillion Fitzroy, born c. 1879; Theodore, born c. 1881, and Edna, born c. 1885. This is how the family appears in the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses (note: it would appear from the above census extract that Angelina TWINE was actually living with her grandparents Edward and Martha MATTHEWS at the time of the 1881 census, but her parents also included her in their household):

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

Job TWINE aged 35 Sawyer born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Louisa TWINE wife 35 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Anne TWINE daughter 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Brazillion TWINE son 2 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Cottage, Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

Job TWINE aged 45 Sawyer born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Louisa TWINE wife 45 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Angelina TWINE daughter 14 Mother's Keep born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Fitzroy TWINE son 11 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Thiodore TWINE son 9 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edna TWINE daughter 6 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1901)

Job TWINE aged 55 Navvy born Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Louisa TWINE 55 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Anne TWINE 24 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Theodore TWINE 20 Navvy born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edna TWINE 16 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Charles MATTHEWS (b. 1848) married Elizabeth WALKER in 1870. Elizabeth was born in about 1851 in Purton, Wiltshire and was the daughter of Enoch WALKER and Sophia ILES. Charles and Elizabeth had at least five children together, all born in Brinkworth - Clara Martha, born c. 1871; Mildred Mary, born c. 1876; Enoch Edward, born c. 1879; Amy Ella, born c. 1882, and Arthur, born c. 1887. This is how Charles and Elizabeth appear in the 1871 and 1881 censuses:

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

Charles MATTHEWS aged 23 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS wife 19 Labourer's Wife born Purton, Wiltshire
Hezekiah MATTHEWS boarder 24 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Wood Side, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

Charles MATTHEWS aged 33 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS wife 29 born Purton, Wiltshire
Clara M. MATTHEWS daughter 9 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mildred M. MATTHEWS daughter 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Enoch E. MATTHEWS son 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Elizabeth MATTHEWS (nee WALKER) died in 1890. This is how Charles appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Wood Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

Charles MATTHEWS widower aged 43 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Clara MATTHEWS daughter 19 Housekeeper born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS son 11 Schlolar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Amy MATTHEWS daughter 8 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Arthur MATTHEWS son 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Woodside Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1901)

Charles MATTHEWS widower aged 53 Farmer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS son 21 Farmer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Amy MATTHEWS daughter 18 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Arthur MATTHEWS son 14 Farmer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Henry MATTHEWS (b. 1851) moved to London where he became a police constable, as seen here in the 1881 and 1891 censuses:

8 Mansfield Street, Shoreditch, London (1881)

Henry MATTHEWS aged 29 Police Constable born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Annie MATTHEWS wife 30 born Barton Abbots, Berkshire

68 Mansfield Street, Shoreditch, London (1891)

Henry MATTHEWS aged 39 Police Constable born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Annie MATTHEWS wife 40 born Black Bourton, Oxfordshire

By 1901 he had retired and was living in Brinkworth with his wife Annie, as seen here in the census for that year:

Woodside, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Henry MATTHEWS aged 49 Retired Police Constable born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Annie MATTHEWS wife 50 born Bourton Abbots, Berkshire

In 1901 Alfred MATTHEWS (b. 1863) was living in Callow Hill, Brinkworth with his wife Mary:

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Alfred MATTHEWS aged 38 Farmer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 29 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Richard MATTHEWS was born on 5th May 1849 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, and was the son of Edward MATTHEWS and Martha MOULDER. He married Emma WEBB on 16th June 1877 in Brinkworth. Emma was born on 19th May 1859 in Brinkworth and was the daughter of John Joseph WEBB and Margaret OVENS. Richard and Emma had seven children together, all born in Brinkworth - Sarah Jane, born c. 1877; Eleanor, born 6th January 1879; Elizabeth, born c. 1880; Edward, born c. 1882; John, born c. 1884; Ada, born c. 1886, and William, born 5th July 1888. The family lived at Callow Hill in Brinkworth where Richard worked as a farm labourer, as seen here in the 1881 and 1891 censuses:

Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

Richard MATTHEWS aged 31 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS wife 21 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jane MATTHEWS daughter 3 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Ellen MATTHEWS daughter 2 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS son 5 months born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Stephen MATTHEWS 76 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

36 Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

Richard MATTHEWS aged 41 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS wife 31 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sarah J. MATTHEWS daughter 13 Mother's Help (Domestic) born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 10 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS son 8 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
John MATTHEWS son 6 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Ada MATTHEWS daughter 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 2 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

It's possible that Richard may have spent some time Devizes Gaol in the early 1880s. His uncles George and William had sons called Hezekiah and Jacob, and on the night of 27th December 1883 three cousins from Callow Hill in Brinkworth decided to go hunting in Sir John NEALD's game preserve in Braydon Big Wood - they were Hezekiah, Jacob and Richard MATTHEWS. The three men were caught by the gamekeeper and his colleagues, and a fracas ensued during which Hezekiah was struck on the head with a bludgeon by Henry John REEVES. The cousins were eventually secured but as their captors were collecting their weapons Henry's younger brother Thomas accidentally fired a shotgun, hitting his brother in the arm and his father in the face. Hezekiah, Jacob and Richard were taken to Cricklade Police Station, arriving there early on the morning of the 28th. Hezekiah was examined by Dr. LANGLEY who immediately sent him to Purton Cottage Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Henry John REEVES was subsequently charged with manslaughter while Jacob and Richard MATTHEWS were sent to Devizes Gaol for six weeks' hard labour. While there is no direct evidence that my great-great-grandfather was the Richard MATTHEWS involved in these unfortunate events, the fact that he had cousins called Hezekiah and Jacob make it seem very likely that he was.

Emma MATTHEWS (nee WEBB) died of pulmonary phthisis on 16th May 1891 in Brinkworth aged just 31 and was buried on 26th May of the same year. The widowed Richard was still living in Brinkworth in 1901, as seen here in the census for that year:

Under the Wood, Wood Lane, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Richard MATTHEWS widower aged 52 Allotment Farmer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS son 18 Farmer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
John MATTHEWS son 16 Farmer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 12 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Richard MATTHEWS died on 11th November 1932 in Callow Hill, Brinkworth aged 83.

Sarah Jane MATTHEWS (b. 1877) married Arthur William MATTHEWS on 19th November 1894 in Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire. Arthur was born on 27th January 1875 in Christian Malford and was the son of Alfred William MATTHEWS. Please see my MATTHEWS & HEAD Families of Bremhill and Bristol, England page for my more information about this family.

Eleanor MATTHEWS
(click image to view)

Eleanor MATTHEWS (b. 1879) married Sidney George BUNCE in 1898. Sidney was born in Purton, Wiltshire on 17th December 1873 and was the son of John BUNCE and Prudence SELWOOD. Eleanor died on 24th August 1905 aged 26 and Sidney subsequently married Eleanor's sister, Ada MATTHEWS (b. 1886), on 6th March 1908 in Cricklade, Wiltshire. Sidney died on 18th February 1966 and Ada died on 9th August 1970.

Elizabeth MATTHEWS (b. 1880) married Frank DODSON in 1901. Frank was born in Purton in about 1873 and was the son of John and Ann DODSON. Elizabeth died in 1959. Edward MATTHEWS (b. 1882) was the bandmaster of the Callow Hill band in which he played the cornet. He married Florence MATTHEWS on 23rd September 1909 in Malmesbury Register Office. Florence was born in Brinkworth in about 1892 and was the daughter of Mark MATTHEWS and Emily Jane SPENCER. She was also Edward's second cousin! Edward and Florence had at least six children together - Bella, Winifred, Frank, Leslie, Cecil and Olive. Edward worked for his cousin Frederick TUCK on Highgate Farm in Wootton Bassett. John MATTHEWS (b. 1884) married Mary Alice SMITH on 14th October 1905 in Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire. Mary was born in about 1877. John and Alice had at least one child - Nellie.

William MATTHEWS was born on 5th July 1888 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire, and was the youngest son of Richard MATTHEWS and Emma WEBB. William married Amy Gwendoline "Gwennie" CURTIS on 23rd June 1915 in St Paul, Bristol. Gwennie was born on 29th January 1892 at 97 Clarence Road, Bedminster, Bristol, and was the daughter of Frank CURTIS and Elizabeth MATTHEWS.

Gwennie and William had five children together - Alfred William Hippesley, born 15th July 1916 in High Street, Purton, Wiltshire; Elizabeth Eleanor Mary, born 21st October 1917 in Stapleton, Bristol; Eleanor Elizabeth, born 13th February 1920; Mary Olive, born 3rd February 1922 at 46 Martin Street, St Paul, Bristol, and George Albert, born 11th April 1928 in Bristol. Sadly, born Elizabeth Eleanor Mary MATTHEWS and Eleanor Elizabeth MATTHEWS died in childhood - Elizabeth died of yellow jaundice on 15th October 1918, two days short of her first birthday, while Eleanor died of meningitis on 12th August 1922, aged 2. They were both interred at Greenbank Cemetery.

Apart from serving in World War One, William MATTHEWS worked as a domestic gardener and later as a warehouseman. He was also an A.R.P. Warden in World War Two. He died on 23rd January 1957 in Ham Green Hospital. Gwennie MATTHEWS worked as a domestic servant in Clifton, Bristol and died on 11th March 1959 at her home at 46 Martin Street, St Paul.

Alfred William Hippesley MATTHEWS (b. 1916) was known to all as "Roy". He met Winifred Ivy SMITH in January 1935 while working at Fred Phillips, a drapers at 217 Gloucester Road, Bishopston. Roy made the fixtures for the shop while Win worked as a shop assistant. Win was born on 23rd December 1920 and is the daughter of Frederick Joseph SMITH and Mary Ann BODDY. Roy and Win married on 10th April 1939 in Horfield Parish Church, Bristol. During World War Two Roy worked for the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Rodney Works, Filton. After the war he became a lorry driver and then worked as a panel beater at Henlys Ltd, an Austin/British Motor Corporation garage and dealership on the corner of Cheltenham Road and Bath Buildings, and Tuckers Radiator Services at 329 Gloucester Road. He then became a coach builder at Davies & Sons Funeral Directors before joining Rolls-Royce in about 1959 where he worked until his retirement in 1981. Alfred MATTHEWS died on 12th October 2002.

Mary Olive MATTHEWS (b. 1922) married James Colin PIKE on 19th July 1941 in St Paul Parish Church, Bristol. He was born in 1918 and was the son of James Cornelius PIKE.

George Albert MATTHEWS (b. 1928) married Audrey Rosina HOBBS on 11th March 1952 in Bristol Register Office. Audrey was born on 18th June 1926 and was the daughter of Henry George BRYANT and the widow of William HOBBS.

Reuben WEBB was baptised on 23rd June 1805 in Brinkworth, Wiltshire. He was the son of Ruben WEBB and Martha DIXON, who married on 19th November 1798 in Brinkworth. Reuben married Margaret DIXON on 15th January 1827 in Brinkworth. Margaret was baptised on 13th June 1808 in Brinkworth and was the daughter of Abraham DIXON and Jane MATTHEWS. Reuben and Margaret had at least three children together, all born in Brinkworth - John Joseph, born c. 1827; Elizabeth, baptised 10th September 1830, and Reuben, baptised 10th March 1833. Reuben and Margaret lived at Sunday Hill in Brinkworth where Reuben worked as an agricultural labourer. This is how they appear in the 1841, 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses:

Sundays Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1841)

Rueben WEBB aged 35 Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB aged 30 born Wiltshire
John WEBB aged 14 born Wiltshire

Sunday Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

Reuben WEBB aged 45 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 42 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Sundays Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

Reuben WEBB aged 55 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 52 Labourer's Wife born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Reuben WEBB grandson 11 Labourer's Grandson born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Sundays Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

Reuben WEBB aged 65 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 62 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Margaret WEBB (nee DIXON) died on 26th June 1876 in Brinkworth and on 9th December of the same year the widowed Reuben married Anne HITCHINGS in Brinkworth. Anne was born in about 1812 in Brinkworth and was the daughter of Henry HITCHINGS. In 1881 Reuben and Anne were living at Wood Hill Farm in Brinkworth where Reuben was working as a farm labourer, as seen here in the census for that year:

Wood Hill Farm, Sunday Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Rueben WEBB aged 76 Farm Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Ann WEBB wife 69 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Reuben WEBB died on 29th July 1883 in Brinkworth and was buried on 22nd August of the same year.

John Joseph WEBB was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire in about 1827 and was the son of Reuben WEBB and Margaret DIXON. He married Margaret OVENS on 15th November 1849 in Brinkworth. Margaret was born in about 1827 in Brinkworth and was the daughter of John OVENS, a carpenter, and Charlotte HICKS. John and Margaret had at least twelve children together, all born in Brinkworth - Reuben, born c. 1849; Jane, born c. 1852; Henry, born c. 1854; Frederick, born c. 1857; Emma, born 19th May 1859; Arthur, born c. 1862; John, born c. 1864; Elizabeth, born c. 1866; Sarah Ann, born c. 1867; Jesse, born c. 1869; Tom, born c. 1871, and Sidney Josiah, born c. 1873. This is how the family appears in the various censuses:

Hulberts Green, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1851)

John WEBB aged 24 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 23 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Reuben WEBB son 1 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Sundays Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1861)

John WEBB aged 34 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margeret WEBB wife 34 Agricultural Labourer's Wife born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jane WEBB daughter 9 Agricultural Labourer's Daughter born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Henry WEBB son 7 Agricultural Labourer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Frederick WEBB son 4 Agricultural Labourer's Son born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma WEBB daughter 2 Agricultural Labourer's Daughter born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Sundays Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1871)

John J. WEBB aged 44 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 44 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Frederick WEBB son 14 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma WEBB daughter 11 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Arthur WEBB son 9 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
John J. WEBB son 7 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Elizabeth WEBB daughter 5 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sarah A. WEBB daughter 3 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jesse WEBB son 2 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Wood Hill Farm, Sunday Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1881)

John J. WEBB aged 54 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Margaret WEBB wife 54 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Arther WEBB son 19 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jesse WEBB son 12 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Tom WEBB son 9 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sidney J. WEBB son 8 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Margaret WEBB (nee OVENS) died of hepatitis on 4th July 1887 in Brinkworth and was buried on 26th July of the same year. This is how her widowed husband John appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

Sunday's Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1891)

John WEBB widower aged 64 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Jessie WEBB son 22 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sydney J. WEBB son 15 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sarah A. WEBB daughter 23 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Francis W. WEBB grandson 4 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Tom WEBB son 19 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Brinkworth, Wiltshire (1901)

John Joseph WEBB widower aged 74 Farmer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Tom WEBB son 29 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

John Joseph WEBB died on 13th August 1903 at Drill Farm, Braydon, Purton, Wiltshire and was buried in Brinkworth on 17th August of the same year.

Reuben WEBB (b. 1849) married Mary Jane HORSELL on 11th April 1868 in Brinkworth. Mary was born in about 1843 in Brinkworth. Reuben and Mary had at least three children together, all born in Brinkworth - Sarah, born c. 1867; Alice, born c. 1871, and Emma, born c. 1874. In 1881 the family was living in Stratton St. Margaret, Wiltshire where Reuben was working as an agricultural labourer, as seen here in the census for that year:

Private House, Stratton St. Margaret, Wiltshire

Reuben WEBB aged 32 Agricultural Labourer born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Mary J. WEBB wife 38 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sarah S. WEBB daughter 14 Nurse Girl born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Alice J. WEBB daughter 10 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma N. WEBB daughter 7 Scholar born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Thomas G. HORSELL boarder 17 Labourer In Iron Works born Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Emma WEBB (b. 1859) married Richard MATTHEWS on 16th June 1877 in Brinkworth. Richard was born on 5th May 1849 in Brinkworth and was the son of Edward MATTHEWS and Martha MOULDER. See above for further information about the children of Emma and Richard.

---