CONTENTS
Alfred William MATTHEWS (1830-1885)
One of the most unexpected discoveries I made during the early days of my genealogical research was that I am actually descended from two different MATTHEWS families. My main MATTHEWS line, the one from which I get my surname, originated in Brinkworth, Wiltshire. My other MATTHEWS ancestors came from Foxham, Wiltshire and the surrounding area. There seems to have been a very high mortality rate in this part of the country during the 19th century, and this has made it quite difficult to unravel my MATTHEWS and HEAD ancestors due to individuals remarrying after the loss of a spouse. However, I have done my best to piece together the evidence I have, and this is the result ...
This webpage would not have been possible without the assistance of TONY WOODWARD, who kindly provided me with a great deal of information about Foxham and the surrounding area. The majority of the census extracts found on this page come from Tony's own research. I am also indebted to PETER EDWARDS, my fifth cousin once removed, who provided me with transcriptions from the Bremhill parish registers as well as extensive information about his own HEAD ancestors, and to JAMES TURNER for carrying out research on my behalf at the Wiltshire Records Office. I am also grateful to my cousins BOB REEVES and BRIAN SYMS for providing me with information about the family of Harriet MATTHEWS and William REEVES, as well as various other records relating to the MATTHEWS family, and MARK RUMMINGS for providing details about the family of Hannah MATTHEWS and John RUMMING. I would also like to thank NICK BERRYMAN for providing me with the scan of Bremhill Parish Church taken from the "Parochial History of Bremhill" and PAUL VIVASH and MAGGIE PERKINS for providing extracts from various sources with regard to the derivation of the names "MATTHEWS" and "HEAD". I am also grateful to the members of the Wessex Genealogy Mailing List, as well as the Bristol and the Chippenham Register Offices. 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 the "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland", MATTHEWS is a variant of the name MATTHEW with a genitival (i.e. possessive) or superfluous "-s". The surname MATTHEW is a relationship name (i.e. derived from a relative, typically the father) from the Middle English personal name MATHEW which in turn comes the Hebrew MATTATHIAH meaning "gift of Jehovah". The name was introduced into England by the Normans and early examples include MATHIU and MATHEUS which both appear in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The modern English word "head" comes from the Old English "heafod" meaning "upper end", and the surname HEAD may have originally derived from a nickname for someone with some peculiarity of the head. Examples of this derivation are: Ralph HEUED (Pipe Rolls, Norfolk 1166) and Thomas HEDE (The Calverley Charters, Yorkshire 1246). However "heafod" also implied "a dweller by the hill or promontory" or alternatively "a dweller by the source of a stream". Early examples of this alternative derivation are: Thomas del HEVED (Rotuli Hundredorum, Nottinghamshire 1275) and Roger BYHEVED (Assize Rolls, Cheshire 1285). This is also from the "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland" by PATRICK HANKS, RICHARD COATES and PETER McCLURE.
Bremhill
Parish Church
(click
image to enlarge)
William MATTHEWS was born in Calne in Wiltshire in about 1792. He may have been the William Ford MATTHEWS baptised in Calne on 28th October 1792, illegitimate son of Elizabeth MATTHEWS. This William's father was reputed to have been one William FORD. William married Elizabeth SMITH on 18th May 1818 in Bremhill, Wiltshire. She was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire in about 1796 and was the daughter of George SMITH and Elizabeth SILVESTER. William and Elizabeth had at least ten children - Harriet, baptised 13th March 1819 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire; Worthy, baptised 18th November 1821 in Christian Malford; Sarah, baptised 6th June 1824 in Christian Malford; Caroline, baptised 1st January 1826 in Bremhill; Henry Silvester, baptised 13th April 1828 in Bremhill; Alfred William, baptised 6th June 1830 in Bremhill; Elizabeth, baptised 15th July 1832 in Bremhill; George, born 16th August 1834 in Bremhill; Edwin, baptised 25th December 1836 in Bremhill, and Emma Jane, baptised 17th March 1839 in Bremhill. William worked as an agricultural labourer, as seen here in the 1841 and 1851 censuses:
Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire (1841)
William MATTHEWS aged
45 Labourer born Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS wife 40 born
Wiltshire
Caroline MATTHEWS daughter 14
born Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS son 12 born
Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS son 10 born
Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 8
born Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 6 born
Wiltshire
Edwin MATTHEWS son 4 born
Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS daughter 2 born
Wiltshire
Village of Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire (1851):
William MATTHEWS aged
58 Agricultural Labourer born Calne, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS wife 53 born
Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS son 23
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 18
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Edward MATTHEWS son 14
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS daughter 12
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS died in Foxham on 12th August 1856 aged 63. His widow Elizabeth continued to live in Foxham, as seen here in the 1861 census:
Foxham, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS aged
64 Agricultural Labourer's widow born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emma J. MATTHEWS daughter aged
22 Servant born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS (nee SMITH) died in Christian Malford on 9th August 1865 aged 70 and was buried in Foxham on 15th August of that year.
Harriet MATTHEWS (b. 1819) married William REEVES on 8th May 1843 in Christian Malford. William was the son of John REEVES and Sarah THRUSH and was born in Christian Malford in about 1819. William and Harriet had at least eleven children together - Matilda, baptised 1st September 1844 in Foxham, Wiltshire; Caroline, born c. 1846 in Foxham; Sarah Anne, baptised 7th February 1847 in Bremhill; Elizabeth, baptised 24th December 1848 in Bremhill; Jesse, baptised 12th May 1850 in Foxham; David, baptised 2nd November 1851 in Foxham; Jane, baptised 6th February 1853 in Foxham; Emma, baptised 2nd July 1855 in Foxham; Maria, baptised 1st February 1857 in Foxham; John, baptised 2nd August 1860 in Foxham, and Anna Sophia, baptised 31st May 1863 in Foxham. This is how the family appears in the 1851, 1861 and 1881 censuses:
Bremhill, Wiltshire (1851)
William REEVES aged 32
Sawyer born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Harriet REEVES wife 31 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Matilda REEVES daughter 7 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Caroline REEVES daughter 5 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Jesse REEVES son 11 months
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Foxham, Bremhill,
Wiltshire (1861)
William REEVES aged 41 Sawyer born Bremhill
Harriet REEVES wife 42 Sawyer's Wife born Bremhill
Matilda REEEVES daughter 16 Servant born Bremhill
Caroline REEVES daughter 15 Servant born Bremhill
Jesse REEVES daughter 11 Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill
David REEVES son 9 Scholar born Bremhill
Emma REEVES daughter 5 Scholar born Bremhill
Maria REEVES daughter 4 born Bremhill
John REEVES son 9 months born Bremhill
Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire (1881)
William REEVES aged 61
Agricultural Labourer & Sawyer born Bremhill,
Wiltshire
Harriet REEVES wife 62 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
John REEVES son 20 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Harriet REEVES (nee MATTHEWS) died in 1888 and was buried in Bremhill on the 11th March of that year. Her widowed husband William died in 1904 and was buried in Bremhill on 18th February.
Caroline MATTHEWS (b. 1826) married Jesse OLIVER on 2nd November 1848 in Bremhill. Jesse was born in Calstone Wellington, Wiltshire in 1826 and was the son of John and Mary OLIVER. Jesse and Caroline had at least five children together, all born in Calstone Wellington - William, born 1849; John, born 1851; Elizabeth, born 1853; Sarah, born 1855 and Joseph, born 1857. In 1851 the family was living in Blackland, Wiltshire where Jesse was working as a sawyer, as seen here in the census for that year:
Blackland, Wiltshire
Jesse OLIVER aged 25
Sawyer born Calne, Wiltshire
Caroline OLIVER wife 25 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
William OLIVER son 1 born Calne,
Wiltshire
John OLIVER son 1 month born
Calstone, Wiltshire
Kitty OLIVER sister 23 born
Calne, Wiltshire
John OLIVER son 3 born Calne,
Wiltshire
Henry Silvester MATTHEWS (b. 1827) married Mary Anne EYLES on 4th May 1854 in Bremhill. She was baptised on 5th October 1828 in Bremhill and was the daughter of Thomas and Susanna EYLES. Henry and Mary had at least nine children together, all born in Bremhill - Elizabeth Ann, born 1855; Louisa, born 1856; William Silvester, born 1859; Thomas, born 1860; Henry, born 1862; Enock, born 1864; Sophia, born 1865; Elijah, born 1867; Isaac, born 1868; Joseph, born 1870 and Mary, born 1873. Henry MATTHEWS worked as an agricultural labourer while Mary was a shopkeeper, as seen here in the 1861 and 1871 censuses:
Foxham, Wiltshire (1861)
Henry MATTHEWS aged 33
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 32 Shopkeeper
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 5
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Louisa MATTHEWS daughter 4 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
William S. MATTHEWS son 2 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 1 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Foxham, Wiltshire (1871)
Henry S. MATTHEWS aged
43 Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary Anne MATTHEWS wife 42 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Louisa MATTHEWS daughter 14
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
William S. MATTHEWS son 12
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 11 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS son 9 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Enoch MATTHEWS son 7 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Sophia MATTHEWS daughter 6
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elijah MATTHEWS son 4 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Isaac MATTHEWS son 3 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Joseph MATTHEWS son 5 months
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry was still an agricultural labourer in 1881, although by this time he was also working as a grocer:
Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS aged 53
Grocer & Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary A. MATTHEWS wife 52 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 25
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 22
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 21
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Enock MATTHEWS son 17
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elijah MATTHEWS son 14
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Isaac MATTHEWS son 13
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Joseph MATTHEWS son 10 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary A. MATTHEWS daughter 8
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry MATTHEWS died on 18th April 1884 aged 55. His widow Mary Ann died on 17th April 1898. They were both buried in the graveyard of St John the Baptist, Foxham.
Edwin MATTHEWS (b. 1835) married Susanna COLE on 4th May 1858 in Christian Malford. She was born in Christian Malford, Wiltshire in about 1834 and was the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth COLE. Edwin and Susanna has at least seven children together, all born in Bremhill - Thomas, born 1859; Henry James, born 1861; George, born 1864; Anne, born 1866; Elizabeth, born 1869; William, born 1872 and Emma Jane, born 1875. Edwin also worked as an agricultural labourer, as seen here in the 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses:
Foxham, Wiltshire (1861)
Edwin MATTHEWS aged 23
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Susan MATTHEWS wife 26 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 2 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
James H. MATTHEWS son 1 month
born Bremill, Wiltshire
Foxham, Wiltshire (1871)
Edwin MATTHEWS aged 36
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Susanna MATTHEWS wife 38 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 12
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry J. MATTHEWS son 10 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 7 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Ann MATTHEWS daughter 5 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 2
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire (1881)
Edwin MATTHEWS aged 45
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Susan MATTHEWS wife 46 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Thomas MATTHEWS son 22
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Henry J. MATTHEWS son 20
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 17
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 12
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 9 Scholar
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Emma J. MATTHEWS daughter 5
Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Foxham, Bremhill,
Wiltshire (1891)
Edwin MATHEWS aged 55 Groom born Foxham, Wiltshire
Susannah MATHEWS wife 56 born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Henry J. MATHEWS son 30 Dealer Shop born Foxham Wiltshire
William MATHEWS son 19 Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma J. MATHEWS daughter 16 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Great Somerford,
Wiltshire (1901)
Edwin MATTHEWS aged 64 Farmer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Susan MATTHEWS wife 66 born Chippenham, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 29 Farm Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Arthur HANCOCK grandson 5 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma Jane MATTHEWS (b. 1838) married Jonathan COLE on 2nd May 1861 in Christian Malford. Jonathan was born in about 1839 and was the younger brother of Susanna COLE, the wife of Edwin MATTHEWS. Emma and Jonathan lived in Lydiard Millicent as seen here in the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses:
Home Wood Farm, Wood Lane, Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire (1881)
Jonathon COLE aged 42
Farmer Of 70 Acres born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Emma J. COLE wife 42 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
John COLE brother 33 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Home Farm, Wood Lane,
Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire (1891)
Jonathan COLE aged 52 Farmer born Malford, Wiltshire
Emma Jane COLE wife 53 Farmer's Wife born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Arthur William MATTHEWS nephew 16 Farmer's Assistant born Bremhill,
Wiltshire
Echo Lodge, Wood Lane,
Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire (1901)
Jonathan COLE aged 62 Farmer born Christian Malford,
Wiltshire
Emma COLE wife 62 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred William MATTHEWS was baptised in Bremhill, Wiltshire on 6th June 1830. He was the son of William MATTHEWS and Elizabeth SMITH. In 1851 he was working as a labourer on the HAYWARD family farm at Stockham Marsh near Bremhill:
Village of Stockham Marsh, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Charles HAYWARD aged 40
Farmer of 160 Acres born Stanton
Elizabeth HAYWARD wife 31 born
Clack
Charles J. V. HAYWARD son 1
month born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Rebecca KING servant 26 born
Bremill, Wiltshire
Harriot KANE servant 28 born
Dauntsey, Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS servant 19 Farm
Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred married Elizabeth FELL on 19th November 1854 in Bremhill Church, Wiltshire. The witnesses to the marriage were Alfred's brother and sister-in-law, George and Harriet MATTHEWS. Elizabeth was born in about 1828 and was the daughter of William FELL and Elizabeth REEVES. Alfred and Elizabeth had at least three children together, all born in Christian Malford - Alfred William, born 11 June 1856; Henry Charles, born 8th November 1858, and John, born 10th March 1860. Henry Charles died in c. 1859, John died in c. 1861 and Alfred William (b. 1856) died on 26th July 1864. The Swindon Advertiser reported on the circumstances surrounding Alfred's death on 1st August 1864: "Inquest on Alfred William Matthews. An inquest was held on Wednesday at Foxham, near Bremhill, on the body of Alfred William Matthews, between eight and nine years of age. On the previous evening deceased did not return home from a corn field, where he had been bird-keeping during the day, when his father made a search for him, and at last he found him in the Wilts and Berks canal by a swing-bridge which leads into the field where he was employed. It appeared that deceased had been in the water four or five hours; that whilst standing of the towing path he over-balanced himself, and fell in the canal.Verdict - Accidentally drowned."
Elizabeth MATTHEWS (nee FELL) died on 10th March 1860 in Christian Malford aged just 31. She was buried in Foxham on 13th March. In 1861, Alfred was working on the FRY family farm in Foxham, as seen here in the census for that year:
Foxham, Bremhill, Wiltshire
William H FRY aged 27
Farmer of 160 Acres born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Eliza FRY mother-in-law widow 46
Farmer's Widow born Chippenham, Wiltshire
Ellen J FRY sister 19 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary FRY sister 16 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Rachel WILKINSON visitor 17 born
Yorkshire
Eliza VIZARD 20 Dairy Servant
born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred MATTHEWS widower 32
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred married his second wife, Mary HEAD, on 30th April 1862 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire. George and Harriet MATTHEWS were once again witnesses to the marriage. Mary was born on 5th October 1835 in Bremhill and was the daughter of Matthew HEAD and Rebecca CLEVERLY. Alfred and Mary appear to have had at least eight children together, all born in Christian Malford - Elizabeth, born 3rd June 1863; Alfred William, born 7th April 1865; Alice, born 20th May 1867; Matthew Joseph, born 12th January 1869; Emily Mary, born 5th September 1871; Ellen Kate, born 17th February 1873; Arthur William, born 27th January 1875 and Harriet Matilda, born 2nd May 1878. Alfred William (b. 1865) died on 6th July 1866 in Foxham, Matthew Joseph (b. 1869) died of marasmus on 13th October 1869 in Christian Malford, Emily Mary died in April 1873, and Harriet Matilda died in June 1879 aged 1. This is how the family appears in the 1871 and 1881 censuses:
Foxham, Christian Malford, Wiltshire (1871)
Alfred W. MATTHEWS aged
42 Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 37 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 7 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Alice MATTHEWS daughter 3 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Near Foxham Chapel, Christian Malford, Wiltshire (1881)
Alfred W. MATTHEWS aged
51 Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary MATTHEWS wife 48 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alice MATTHEWS daughter 13
Domestic Servant born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Ellen K. MATTHEWS daughter 8
Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Arthur MATTHEWS son 6 Scholar
born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Alfred William MATTHEWS died of pleuropneumonia on 1st May 1885 in Foxham, aged 54.
Alice
MATTHEWS
(click
image to enlarge)
40 Guinea Street,
Redcliffe, Bristol
Alice MATTHEWS aged 33 Small General Shopkeeper born Foxham, Wiltshire
The Bristol street directories show that Alice continued to run the off licence until at least 1907. She then appears to have immigrated to Western Australia in around 1910 and died in Perth on 1st August 1922.
The Old Arm Chair, Guinea Street
(click
image to enlarge)
Ellen Kate MATTHEWS (b. 1873) appears not to have married and died in 1903 aged just 30.
Arthur William MATTHEWS (b. 1875) married Sarah Jane "Ginny" MATTHEWS on 19th November 1894 in Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire. Sarah was born in Brinkworth on 27th July 1877 and was the daughter of Richard MATTHEWSand Emma WEBB. Arthur and Ginny had at least thirteen children together - Emma Elizabeth, born c. 1895 in Lydiard Millicent; Eleanor Mary, born c. 1897, died 17th January 1898; Alfred Harry, born c. 1898, in Lydiard Millicent; Ellen Annie, born c. 1900 in Lydiard Millicent; Alice May, born 10th November 1902 in Lydiard Millicent; William Frank, born 6th June 1904 in Lydiard Millicent; Ada Mary, born 6th October 1906 in Brinkworth; Matilda Jane, born 15th March 1908 in Brinkworth; Emily Grace, born 4th January 1911 in Brinkworth; Arthur George, born c. 1913 in Brinkworth; Sidney John, born c. 1915 in Winterbourne Bassett, Wiltshire; Ruby Mavis Kate, born 8th February 1918, in Wroughton, Wiltshire, and Richard, born 23rd April 1921 in Hannington, Wiltshire. This is how the family appears in the 1901, 1911 and 1921 censuses:
Wood Lane, Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire (1901)
Arthur MATTHEWS aged 26
General Labourer (Farm) born Bremhill, Wilts
Sarah J. MATTHEWS wife 23 born
Brinkworth, Wilts
Emma MATTHEWS daughter 5 born
Lydiard Millicent, Wilts
Alfred MATTHEWS son 2 born
Lydiard Millicent, Wilts
Ellen M. MATTHEWS daughter 5
months born Lydiard Millicent, Wilts
The Common, Brinkworth,
Wiltshire (1911)
Arthur MATTHEWS aged 36 General Labourer born Christian Malford,
Wiltshire
Sarah Jane MATTHEWS wife 33 born Callow Hill, Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Alfred Harry MATTHEWS son 12 Scholar born Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire
Ellen Annie MATTHEWS daughter 10 Scholar born Lydiard Millicent,
Wiltshire
Alice May MATTHEWS daughter 8 Scholar born Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire
William Frank MATTHEWS son 6 born Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire
Ada Mary MATTHEWS daughter 4 born Common, Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Matilda Jane MATTHEWS daughter 3 born Common, Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emily Grace MATTHEWS daughter 2 months born Common, Brinkworth,
Wiltshire
Red Row, Hannington, Wiltshire (1921)
Arthur MATTHEWS aged 46 years 5 months General Labourer (J.W. Russell, Manor Farm, Hannington) born Foxham,
Wiltshire
Sarah Jane MATTHEWS wife 43 years 11 months Household Duties born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
William Frank MATTHEWS son 17 years General Labourer (J.W. Russell, Manor Farm, Hannington) born Lydiard Millicent, Wiltshire
Ada Mary MATTHEWS daughter 14 years 8 months Infant Teacher (C. E.
County Council School, Hannington) born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Matilda Jane MATTHEWS daughter 13 years 3 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Emily Grace MATTHEWS daughter 10 years 6 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Brinkworth,
Wiltshire
Arthur George MATTHEWS son 8 years 6 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Sidney John MATTHEWS son 6 years 2 months born Scholar (Whole Time) Winterbourne Bassett, Wiltshire
Ruby Mavis Kate MATTHEWS daughter 3 years 4 months born Wroughton, Wiltshire
Richard MATTHEWS son 2 months born Hannington, Wiltshire
The 1939 Register shows Arthur and Sarah Jane living in the hamlet of Shaw near Lydiard Tregoze with Arthur's occupation recorded as 'council roadman'. Sarah Jane MATTHEWS died in 1957 and her husband Arthur died in St Margaret's Hospital, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon on 13th June 1967.
Ginny
& Arthur MATTHEWS
(click
image to enlarge)
George MATTHEWS was born on 16th August 1834 and baptised in Bremhill, Wiltshire on 16th November 1834. He was the son of William MATTHEWS and Elizabeth SMITH. He married Harriet COOK on 1st May 1856 in Bremhill, Wiltshire. Harriet was born in Lea, Wiltshire in about 1828 and was the daughter of Jacob COOK. George and Harriet had at least eight children together, all born in the Bremhill area - Sarah Jane, baptised 15th March 1857; John, baptised 29th May 1859; Er, born c. 1861; Hannah Maria, baptised 25th January 1863; Elizabeth, baptised 8th January 1865; Jacob, born 26th January 1867; George, baptised 17th January 1869, and Emma Julia, baptised 19th May 1872. The family lived at Foxham Lock where George worked as an agricultural labourer, as seen here in 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses:
Foxham Lock, Christian
Malford, Wiltshire (1861)
George MATTHEWS aged 27 Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Harriet MATTHEWS wife 32 born Lea, Wiltshire
Sarah J. MATTHEWS daughter 4 born Foxham, Wiltshire
John MATTHEWS son 2 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Er MATTHEWS son 3 months born Foxham, Wiltshire
Alfred W. MATTHEWS nephew 5 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Stockholm Marsh Cottage, Christian Malford, Wiltshire (1871)
George MATTHEWS aged 36
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Harriet MATTHEWS wife 44 born Lea, Wiltshire
Jane MATTHEWS daughter 14 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
John MATTHEWS son 11 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Er MATTHEWS son 10 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Hannah MATTHEWS daughter 8 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Jacob MATTHEWS son 4 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 2 Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Foxham Lock, Christian Malford, Wiltshire (1881)
George MATTHEWS aged 47
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Harriet MATTHEWS wife 53 born
Lea, Wiltshire
Jacob MATTHEWS son 14
Agricultural Labourer born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 12 Scholar
born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Emma J. MATTHEWS daughter 8
Scholar born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Foxham, Bremhill,
Wiltshire (1891)
George MATHEWS aged 56 Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Harriet MATHEWS wife 63 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma J. MATHEWS daughter 18 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Edith A. MATHEWS granddaughter 7 Scholar born Foxham, Wiltshire
Foxham Lock, Bremhill, Wiltshire (1901)
George MATTHEWS aged 66
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Harriet MATTHEWS wife 73 born
Lea, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS son 32 Ganger on
G.W. Railway born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
It seems that George may have been very close to his older brother Alfred as he and his wife witnessed both of Alfred's marriages as well as the marriage of Alfred's widow Mary to James PONTING in 1889. George died on 26th February 1902 and his widow Harriet died on 18th May 1913. They were both buried in the graveyard of St John the Baptist, Foxham.
Sarah Jane MATTHEWS (b. 1857) married Thomas BROWN on 26th February 1880 in St Mark, Old Street, London. Thomas was baptised on 17th August 1856 in Great Somerford, Wiltshire and was the son of John BROWN and Mary TANNER. Thomas and Sarah had eight children together - Emma Jane, born c. 1881 in Mile End, London; Harry, born c. 1883 in Exmouth Street, London; Albert George, born c. 1885 in Exmouth Street, London; Arthur Thomas, born c. 1887 in Exmouth Street, London; Edith Ella, born 23rd September 1887 in Bromley, London; Clarence John, born c. 1891 in Mile End, London; Alfred William, born c. 1894 in Mile End, London, and Harriett Elizabeth, born c. 1897 in Mile End, London. Thomas worked as a coachman for Watford & Taylor's Undertakers, Clapton. This is how the family appears in the 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses:
Steels Lane Stables, Mile End, Old Town, London (1881)
Thomas BROWN aged 24
Funeral Coachman born Great Somerford, Wiltshire
Sarah BROWN wife 24 born Foxham,
Wiltshire
E. MATTHEW brother-in-law 20
Coach Washer born Foxham, Wiltshire
44 Lincoln Street, Mile End, Old Town, London (1891)
Thomas BROWN aged 34
Coachman born Great Somerford, Wiltshire
Sarah BROWN wife 34 born Foxham,
Wiltshire
Emma BROWN daughter 9 born Mile
End, London
Harry BROWN son 8 born Mile End,
London
George BROWN son 6 born Mile
End, London
Tom BROWN son 5 born Mile End,
London
Edith BROWN daughter 3 born
Bromley, London
John BROWN son born Mile End,
London
5 Rushmore Crescent, All Saints, Clapton, Hackney, London (1901)
Thomas BROWN aged 44
Coachman born Somerford, Wiltshire
Sarah J. BROWN wife aged 44 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
Harry BROWN son 18 Painter's
Labourer born Exmouth Street, London
Albert G. BROWN son 16 Printer
born Exmouth Street, London
Arthur T. BROWN son 14 Printer
born Exmouth Street, London
Edith E. BROWN daughter 13 born
Bow, London
Clarence BROWN son 9 born Mile
End, London
Alfred W. BROWN son 7 born Mile
End, London
Harriett E. BROWN daughter 3
born Mile End, London
143 Rushmore Road,
Clapton, London (1911)
Thomas BROWN aged 54 Undertaker's Coachman born Great Somerford,
Wiltshire
Sarah Jane BROWN wife 54 born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma Jane BROWN daughter 29 Shirt & Collar Dresser born Mile
End, Middlesex
Albert George BROWN son 26 Tin Smith born Mile End, Middlesex
Arthur Tom BROWN son 24 Stationer born Mile End, Middlesex
Edith Ella BROWN daughter 23 House Work born Bow, Middlesex
Clarence BROWN son 19 Lift Attendant born Mile End, Middlesex
Alfred William BROWN son 17 Messenger born Mile End, Middlesex
Harriet Elizabeth BROWN daughter 13 Scholar born Mile End, Middlesex
John MATTHEWS (b. 1859) married Emily LANGLEY in 1879. Emily was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire in about 1859 and was the daughter of Francis LANGLEY and Mary Ann MATTHEWS. John and Emily had at least twelve children - Frederick George, born c. 1880 in Christian Malford; Francis Henry, baptised 11th September 1881 in Foxham; Agnes Harriet, baptised 6th December 1883 in Foxham; Fanny, baptised 17th December 1885 in Foxham; William, born c. 1888 in Foxham; Percy James, born c. 1889 in Foxham; Ada Bessie, born c. 1892 in Foxham; Florence Emily, born c. 1895 in Tytherton, Wiltshire; Arther Herbert, born c. 1897 in Tytherton; Beatrice Maud, born c. 1899 in Tytherton; Lilian May, born c. 1901 in Bremhill, and Elsie Jane, born c. 1904 in Bremill. This is how the family appears in the 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses:
Foxham Lock Cottages, Christian Malford, Wiltshire (1881)
John MATTHEWS aged 21
Labourer born Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Emily MATTHEWS wife 22 born
Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Frederick G. MATTHEWS son 1 born
Christian Malford, Wiltshire
Foxham, Wilsthire (1891)
John MATHEWS aged 32
Agrcultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emily MATHEWS wife 33 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Frederick MATHEWS son 11 Scholar born Foxham, Wiltshire
Frank MATHEWS son 10 Scholar
born Foxham, Wiltshire
Agnes MATHEWS daughter 7 Scholar born Foxham, Wiltshire
Fanny MATHEWS daughter 5 Scholar born Foxham, Wiltshire
William MATHEWS son 3
born Foxham, Wiltshire
Percy MATHEWS son 1
born Foxham, Wiltshire
John MATHEWS aged 42
Cattle Man On Farm born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emily MATHEWS wife 43 born
Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Fred MATHEWS son 21 Ordinary
Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Frank MATHEWS son 19 Cattle Man
On Farm born Foxham, Wiltshire
William MATHEWS son 13 Boy On
Farm born Foxham Wiltshire
Percy MATHEWS son 11 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
Bessie MATHEWS daughter 9 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
Florence MATHEWS daughter 7 born
Tytherton, Wiltshire
Burt MATHEWS son 3 born
Tytheron, Wiltshire
Beatrice MATHEWS daughter 2 born
Tytherton, Wiltshire
East Tytherton,
Chippenham, Wiltshire (1911)
John MATTHEWS aged 52 Farm Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Emily MATTHEWS wife 53 born Brinkworth, Wiltshire
Frederick MATTHEWS son 31 Farm Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Francis MATTHEWS son 29 Farm Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
William MATTHEWS son 23 Farm Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Percy MATTHEWS son 19 Farm Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Florence MATTHEWS daughter 16 Domestic Servant born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Herbert MATTHEWS son 14 Farm Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Beatrice MATTHEWS daughter 11 Scholar born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Lily MATTHEWS daughter 9 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elsie MATTHEWS daughter 7 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Er MATTHEWS (b. 1861) was probably named after the biblical Er, the eldest son of Judah. Er married Emma BROWN on 7th June 1883 in St Thomas, Stepney, London. Emma was born in about 1860 in Great Somerford, Wiltshire and was the younger sister of Thomas BROWN, husband of Er's sister Sarah Jane MATTHEWS. Er and Emma had eleven children together - Elizabeth Ella, born 17 April 1884 in Mile End, Stepney, London; Francis John, born 25th April 1885 in Mile End; Alfred, born 2nd July 1886 in Mile End; William, born 15th October 1887 in Bromley, London; Florence Mary, born c. 1889 in Mile End, died c. 1891; Elsa, born 25th June 1891 in Mile End; Beatrice Maud, born 24th May 1893, died c. 1895; Edwin George, born 27th January 1898 in Bow, London; Lilian Jane, born 18th October 1900 in Bow; Albert Harry, born 16th July 1903 in Bow, and Edward James, born 20th November 1905 in Bow.
It appears that at some point after the baptism of Elizabeth Ella, Er decided to start calling himself 'James', as he appears as James MATTHEWS on all subsequent censuses and baptism records, with the exception of Lilian's baptism where her father's name is shown as 'Er'. This is how the family appears in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses (Emma's absence in 1901 is as yet unexplained):
44 Lincoln Street,
Trinity Stepney, Mile End, Old Town, London (1891)
James MATTHEWS aged 30 Coachman born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS wife 30 born Great Somerford, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 7 born Mile End, London
Frank MATTHEWS son 6 born Mile End, London
Alfred MATTHEWS son 5 born Mile End, London
William MATTHEWS son 3 born Bromley, London
Florence MATTHEWS daughter 2 born Mile End, London
5 Guerin Street,
St Mary Stratford Bow, London (1901)
James MATTHEWS aged 40 Coachman (Funeral) born Foxham, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 16 Leather Case Stitcher born Mile End,
London
Frank MATTHEWS son 15 Messenger born Mile End, London
Alfred MATTHEWS son 14 Printer (Envelope) born Mile End, London
William MATTHEWS son 13 born Bromley, London
Elsa MATTHEWS daughter 9 born Mile End, London
George MATTHEWS son 3 born Bow, London
5 Guerin Street,
Bow, London (1911)
James MATTHEWS aged 50 Coachman (Undertaker) born Foxham, Wiltshire
Emma MATTHEWS wife 50 born Great Somerford, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS daughter 26 Leather Case Stitcher born Mile End,
Stepney, London
Frank MATTHEWS son 25 House Decorator born Mile End, Stepney, London
Alfred MATTHEWS son 24 Printer's Cutter born Mile End, Stepney, London
William MATTHEWS son 23 Leather Case Maker born Bromley, Poplar, London
Elsa MATTHEWS daughter 19 born Mile End, Stepney, London
George MATTHEWS son 13 Scholar born Bow, Poplar, London
Lilian MATTHEWS daughter 10 Scholar born Bow, Poplar, London
Albert MATTHEWS son 7 Scholar born Bow, Poplar, London
Edward MATTHEWS son 5 Scholar born Bow, Poplar, London
Emma MATTHEWS (nee BROWN) died in 1918, and her husband died in 1938, with his name once again recorded as 'Er'.
Hannah Maria MATTHEWS (b. 1862) was working as a servant for the POOLE family in Great Somerford in 1881:
Dauntsey Road, Great Somerford, Wiltshire
John P. POOLE aged 75
Farmer of 195 Acres born Heddington
Sarah POOLE wife 67 born
Rodbourne, Wiltshire
Louisa POOLE granddaughter 17
born Ashampsted
Francis POOLE grandson 21 born
Ashampsted
Hannah MATTHEWS servant 18 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
Hannah may have been close to her cousin, Elizabeth MATTHEWS, as the following picture of her appears in the family photo album belonging to Elizabeth's daughter, Amy Gwendoline CURTIS:
Hannah
Maria MATTHEWS
(click
image to enlarge)
Hannah married John RUMMING on 29th October 1892 in St Luke, Bedminster, Bristol. John was born on 21st December 1867 in Wick, Bremhill and was the son of John RUMMINS and Eliza ROBERTS. John and Hannah had at least three children together, all born in Bristol - Alfred John, born 5th August 1893; George, born 15th June 1895, and Frank William, born 6th July 1900. This is how the family appears in the 1901 and 1911 censuses:
131 Oxford Street, Holy
Trinity, Knowle, Bristol (1901)
John RUMMINGS aged 33 Merchant's Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Hannah M. RUMMINGS wife 38 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred J. RUMMINGS son 7 born Bristol
George RUMMINGS son 5 born Bristol
Frank W. RUMMINGS son 8 months born Bristol
10 Green Street,
Totterdown, Bristol (1911)
John RUMMINGS aged 43 Wholesale Grocer's Warehouseman born Bremhill,
Wiltshire
Hannah Maria RUMMINGS wife 48 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Alfred John RUMMINGS son 17 Cocoa Making Assistant born Bedminster,
Bristol
George RUMMINGS son 15 Railway Telegraphist born Bedminster, Bristol
Frank William RUMMINGS son 10 Scholar born Bedminster, Bristol
John RUMMINGS died on 3rd August 1941 at 10 Green Street.
Jacob MATTHEWS (b. 1867) married Elizabeth Laura THORNE on 20th September 1884 in St Mary, Bradenstoke, Wiltshire. Elizabeth was born in about 1866 in South Martson, Wiltshire and was the daughter of James THORNE. Jacob and Elizabeth had at least two children together - Sidney Herbert, born 3rd April 1885 in Foxham Lock Cottages, and Ernest Cornelius, born c. 1887 in Foxham. In 1901 Elizabeth and her children were living at Foxham Lock, as seen here in the census for that year:
Foxham Lock, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Elizabeth MATTHEWS aged
34 born South Marston, Wiltshire
Sidney H. MATTHEWS aged 15
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
Ernest C. MATTHEWS aged 14
Ordinary Agricultural Labourer born Foxham, Wiltshire
George MATTHEWS (b. 1869) died on 6th October 1953 aged 84.
Emma Julia MATTHEWS (b. 1872) married William BRITTAIN on 31st March 1894 in Bremhill. William was born in Bremhill in about 1866. Emma and William had at least four children together, all born in Bremhill - Florence Elizabeth, born c. 1894; William George, born c. 1896; Walter John Cook, born c. 1897, and Elsa, born c. 1900. This is how the family appears in the 1901 census:
Foxham, Bremhill,
Wiltshire
William BRITTAIN aged 35 Houseman on Farm born Bremhill
Emma J. BRITTAIN wife 28 born Christian Malford
Florence E. BRITTAIN daughter 6 born Bremhill
William G. BRITTAIN son 4 born Bremhill
Walter C. BRITTAIN son 3 born Bremhill
Elsie BRITTAIN daughter 7 months born Bremhill
Elizabeth MATTHEWS was born on 3rd June 1863 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire. She was the eldest child of Alfred William MATTHEWS and Mary HEAD. By 1881 she had left home and was working as a servant for the RUMMINGS family in Bradford-on-Avon:
Trowle Farm, Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire
Thomas RUMMINGS aged 57
Farmer Of 187 Acres born Trowle, Wiltshire
Annie W. RUMMINGS wife 42 born
Muysory, Hindoostan
Mary E. RUMMINGS daughter 10
Scholar born Trowle, Wiltshire
Margaret A. RUMMINGS daughter 9
Scholar born Trowle, Wiltshire
Thomas S. RUMMINGS son 7 Scholar
born Trowle, Wiltshire
John S. RUMMINGS son 5 Scholar
born Trowle, Wiltshire
Marian HOLBEN 19 Governess born
Faversham, Kent
Elizabeth MATTHEWS 18 Domestic
Servant born Foxham, Wiltshire
By 1891 Elizabeth had moved to Bristol, and she was living at 62 Cotham Road, Kingsdown when she married Frank CURTIS on 1st January 1891 in Temple Parish Church, Bristol. Frank was born on 21st March 1864 in Litton, Somerset and was the son of Thomas CURTIS and Mary FLOWER. Shortly after their marriage Elizabeth and Frank moved to 50 Hudson Terrace, Bedminster, as seen here in the 1891 census:
50 Windsor Terrace, Holy Trinity, Bedminster, Bristol
George J. CURTIS aged
35 Driver of Tram Car born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Caroline A. CURTIS wife 30 born
London, Middlesex
Frank CURTIS aged 27 Waiter born
Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Elizabeth CURTIS wife 27 born
Foxham, Wiltshire
Elizabeth and Frank had three children together - Amy Gwendoline, born 29th January 1892 at 97 Clarence Road, Bedminster; Alfred, born 20th June 1895 at "Foxham", Lilymead Avenue, Bedminster, and Alexandra Elizabeth, born 13th July 1902 22 Orange Street, St Paul, Bristol. For more information about the children of Elizabeth and Frank CURTIS, please see my CURTIS Family of Chewton Mendip and Bristol, England page.
Elizabeth CURTIS (nee MATTHEWS) died on 11th July 1924 at 46 Martin Street, St Paul, Bristol and was interred at Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol. Her husband Frank died on 12th February 1938 and was also buried at Greenbank.
Frank
and Elizabeth CURTIS
(click
image to enlarge)
Anthony HEAD was born in about 1760. He married Elizabeth SYMKINS on 1st May 1783 in Bremhill, Wiltshire. Elizabeth was born in about 1758 in Bremhill and was the daughter of Isaac SIMKINS and Hannah LAMBERT. Anthony and Elizabeth had at least nine children together, all baptised in Bremhill - Thomas, baptised 7th March 1784; Hannah, baptised 1st January 1786; Henry, baptised 15th June 1788; Elizabeth, baptised 10th October 1790; Anthony, baptised 12th August 1792; Anna, baptised 1st March 1795; Catherine, baptised 23rd October 1796; Matthew, baptised 17th March 1799, and Isaac, baptised 10th May 1801.
Anthony HEAD worked as a labourer. He died in about 1838 and was buried in Bremhill on the 24th July in that year. His widow Elizabeth died five years later and was buried in Bremhill in 26th December 1843.
Thomas HEAD (b. 1784) married Patrience SPUNDLY on 26th December 1809 in Bremhill. Thomas and Patience had at least one daughter together - Sarah, baptised on 17th June 1810 in Bremhill
Henry HEAD (b. 1788) died in about 1804 and was buried in Bremhill on the 12th December of that year.
Elizabeth HEAD (b. 1790) had at least one child born out of wedlock - Henry, baptised 31st October 1813 in Bremhill.
Anthony HEAD (b. 1792) died in about 1847 and was buried on 9th May of that year in Bremhill.
Catherine HEAD (b. 1796) married John NIPE on 25th May 1820 in Bremhill. John was baptised on 25th August 1798 in Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire and was the son of Rebecca NIPE. Catherine and John had at least ten children - Mathew, baptised 29th July 1821 in Clyffe Pypard; Mathew, baptised 30th June 1822 in Clyffe Pypard; Mark, baptised 16th March 1823, Clyffe Pypard, buried 11th May 1827 in Clyffe Pypard; Luke, baptised 28th November 1824 in Clyffe Pypard; John, born about 1825 in Whitchurch, Wiltshire; Mary Ann, baptised 1st June 1827 in Clyffe Pypard; Henry Thomas, baptised 1st March 1829 in Clyffe Pypard; William, baptised 13th February 1831 in Clyffe Pypard; Ann, baptised 10th February 1833 in Clyffe Pypard, and Elizabeth, baptised 11th January 1835 in Clyffe Pypard. Catherine HEAD and John NIPE were the great-great-great-grandparents of my fifth cousin once removed Peter EDWARDS.
Isaac HEAD (b. 1801) died in about 1837 and was buried in Bremhill on 6th December of that year.
Matthew HEAD was born in about 1799 in Bremhill, Wiltshire and was the son of Anthony HEAD and Elizabeth SYMKINS. He married Rebeecca CLEVERLY on 4th May 1826 in Bremhill. She was born in about 1802 and was the daughter of Thomas CLEVERLY and Sarah BESSANT. Matthew and Rebecca had at least eight children together, all born in Bremhill - Henry Thomas, baptised 9th July 1826, buried 20th May 1827; Sarah, baptised 12th August 1827; Elizabeth, baptised 11th July 1830; Mark, baptised 11th December 1831, buried 19th February 1832; Mary, born 5th October 1835; Eliza, born 19th March 1838, died 19th March 1838; Mark, born 15th May 1840, died 6th November 1841, and another son Mark, born 2nd October 1842, buried 19th December 1849. The family lived in Low Bridge near Bremhill where Matthew worked as an agricultural labourer, as seen here in the 1841 census:
Low Bridge, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Matthew HEAD aged 40
Agricultural Labourer born Wiltshire
Rebecca HEAD wife 35 born
Wiltshire
Sarah HEAD daughter 14 born
Wiltshire
Elizabeth HEAD daughter 11 born
Wiltshire
Mary HEAD daughter 5 born
Wiltshire
Mark HEAD son aged 1 born
Wiltshire
Elizabeth HEAD mother widow 80
born Wiltshire
Rebecca HEAD (nee CLEVERLY) died of pleuropneumonia on 28th April 1850 in Low Bridge. In 1851 Matthew was still living in Low Bridge with his daughter Mary:
Low Bridge, Wiltshire
Matthew HEAD widower
aged 52 Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary HEAD daughter 15 born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Matthew married his second wife, Anne NORMAN, on 10th April 1851 in Bremhill Church. Anne was born in Heddington, Wiltshire in about 1811 and was the daughter of Daniel NORMAN and Catherine MAUNDRELL. Matthew and Anne had at least one child together - Abel, born in Bremhill in about 1853.
Matthew HEAD died on 28th July 1857 and was buried in Bremhill on 1st August of the same year having outlived only one of his eight children. In 1861 his widow Anne was living in Low Bridge with her son Abel and step-daughter Mary (see below). In 1871 Anne was still in Low Bridge, with her sister Eliza's daughter Sophia now living with her:
Low Bridge, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Ann HEAD widow 60
Dairy-maid born Heddington Wick, Wiltshire
Sophia HACKER niece 10 born Hillmarton, Wiltshire
Ann HEAD (nee NORMAN) died in about 1878.
Sarah HEAD (b. 1827) died in about 1847 aged 19 and was buried in Bremhill on 11th February of that year. Elizabeth HEAD (b. 1829) died in about 1848 aged 18 and was buried in Bremhill on 30th January of that year. Abel HEAD (b. 1853) died in about 1868 aged 15.
Mary HEAD was born on 5th October 1835 in Bremhill, Wiltshire and was the daughter of Matthew HEAD and Rebecca CLEVERLY. She married James PEGLER on 30th April 1857 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire. James was born in about 1834 and was the son of George PEGLER, a labourer, and Rebecca HACKER. Mary and James had one daughter together - Frances Ann, born on 14th February 1858. When Frances was baptised in St Andrew, Chippenham on 14th March 1858 her father's occupation was recorded as "labourer, now supposed to be a soldier", which perhaps suggests that he was no longer living with Mary. James died sometime before 1861 and he may have been the James PIGLER, aged 25, a private in the Bengal Light Cavalry, who died of dysentery aboard the Cospatrick on 21st January 1860. Sadly, Frances PEGLER died on 15th November 1860 aged just 2.
The 1861 census shows Mary as a widow visiting her step-mother Ann and half-brother Abel in Low Bridge, Wiltshire:
Low Bridge, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Ann HEAD widow aged 50
Retired Servant born Calne, Wiltshire
Abel HEAD son 8 Scholar born
Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary PEGLER visitor widow 27
Dairy Woman born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary married her second husband, Alfred William MATTHEWS, on 30th April 1862 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire. Alfred was born in about 1830 in Bremhill and was the son of William MATTHEWS and Elizabeth SMITH. See above for further information about the children of Mary and Alfred. After Alfred's death, Mary married for a third and final time. Her last husband was James PONTING, a farm labourer, whom she married on 2nd October 1889 in Bremhill. James was baptised in Bremhill on 29th April 1821 and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth PONTING. This is how James and Mary appear in the 1891 census:
Bremhill, Wiltshire
James PONTING aged 70
Agricultural Labourer born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary PONTING wife 55 born Bremhill, Wiltshire
Sadly James and Mary had less than nine years together - he died of bronchitis on 25th March 1898 at Dumb Post Hill, Bremhill. In 1901 Mary was still living at Dumb Post Hill, as seen here in the census for that year:
Dumb Post Hill, Bremhill, Wiltshire
Mary PONTING widow aged
66 Working on Farm born Calne, Wiltshire
Ellen MATTHEWS daughter 28
General Servant born Foxham, Wiltshire
Mary later moved to Bristol to live with her daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Frank CURTIS at the Pilgrim, the public house that Frank ran at 22 Orange Street, St Paul. In August 1909 her granddaughter Emma Elizabeth MATTHEWS, the eldest daughter of Arthur William MATTHEWS, sent her a postcard showing the School House in Brinkworth, Wiltshire. The message read: "Dear Granny. I was at Bristol four months ago at St Pauls. I did not see you any where. This is the place I am at service at. This is the snow storm last year and house I live in. Mother and all is quite well. Come up and bring Gwen to see me. Let me know her address. From your grandchild Bessie. Love to all."
The 1911 census shows Mary living with Frank and Elizabeth at 34 Wilson Street, St Paul. Mary died on 17th February 1918 at 46 Martin Street, and was interred at Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol.
Mary
PONTING (nee HEAD)
(click
image to enlarge)