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THE TOY FAMILY OF WOLVERHAMPTON, DEVON AND
BRISTOL, ENGLAND
 
designed & written by Mike Matthews © 2000-2018
No material contained in these pages may be used elsewhere without prior permission.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

Meaning Of The Name

Foster Morris TOY (1777-1847)

John Morris TOY (1801-1863)

William TOY (1832-1890)

Henry TOY (1851-1930)

Edwin Henry TOY (1871-1938)

Introduction

My family history research has demonstrated that my roots are very much in the West Country of England. With the exception of a distant link with Bedfordshire, almost all of my ancestors came from Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Dorset. So it was a great surprise when by chance I found my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Foster TOY's baptism in the records of St Peter, Wolverhampton, especially since I'd previously found his marriage in Devon. So it seems that I have a bit of West Midlands blood in me as well! This also demonstrates how vital the internet has become to family history research, since I would never have found Foster's baptism if the parish records for St Peter hadn't been put online by Wolverhampton Archives.

While I have been largely responsible for compiling the information about the TOY family with the help of genealogists TONY POOLE and JANET HENWOOD, I would like to thank SUE RODRIGUEZ and her family for their recollections about the TOYs; NIKKI COOPER for providing me with information about Joseph TOY; ROBYN PIKE for telling me about Thomas TOY; CORINNE PARKINSON, SHARON PARKINSON and RUTH AULD for information about the family of Elizabeth TOY and Benjamin PARKINSON, and SANDIE REED for sharing information about Eliza TOY and Thomas OKEY. I am also grateful to MICHAEL J. McCORMICK, NORMAN FOSH, RITA RAINBIRD, JOHN HODGES and JOANNE HARRINGTON for providing me with extracts from various sources with regard to the derivation of the name "TOY". I am also indebted to the members of the Bristol & Somerset and Devon Genealogy Mailing Lists. 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.

The surname TOY has a number of possible origins. According to "The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland" it might be a nickname derived from the Middle English "toy" or "toi" meaning "a trifling thing" and might have been used for a light-hearted or frivolous person. The same source suggests that it could also be a nickname derived from the Old French "toie" meaning "sheath" and could have been used for a sheath maker. Dr BASIL COTTLE in "The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames" and LESLIE DUNKLING in "The Collins Dictionary of Surnames" suggest that it was used for someone who made "toys" - a "toy" being a northern English name for a close-fitting cap. The name could also be an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic "taidgh" meaning poet or philosopher, and it could also be a corruption of the French Huguenot surname TOYE.

Foster Morris TOY was baptised in St Peter, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire on 17th May 1777 and was the son of John TOY and Mary MORRIS, who married in the same church on 20th January 1766. As well as being named after his mother, Foster also appears to have been named after his maternal grandmother, as Mary MORRIS was probably the daughter of Richard MORRIS and Ann FOSTER, who married in St Peter on 19th September 1742.

For reasons as yet unknown Foster moved to South Devon and married Elizabeth HAMMETT on 26th April 1800 in St Luke & St Andrew, Stoke Damerel. Elizabeth was born in about 1777 in Kingsbridge, Devon and was the daughter of Samuel HAMMETT and Elizabeth EFFORD. Foster and Elizabeth had at least one child while they were living in Devon - John Morris, baptised 1st November 1801 in Dodbrooke, Devon.

Foster was a private in the 1st (East) Devon Militia from February 1800. He was promoted to drummer in the 9th Company under Captain Lane on 1st September 1801. He was still in Captain Lane's Regiment in April 1802 but had left by April 1803, possibly because by this time he, his wife and eldest child had moved from Devon to Bristol. Foster and Elizabeth had at least six more children together - William and Betsy, both baptised 25th December 1806 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol; Joseph, baptised 14th June 1812 in St Philip & Jacob; Thomas, born c. 1817 and baptised 16th January 1820 in St Philip & Jacob; James, baptised 10 June 1821 in St Philip & Jacob, and Edwin, born c. 1825 in St Philips, Bristol.

In October 1837 Foster TOY stood trial where he confessed to "feloniously stealing the goods of George TAYLOR, his master" and was "sentenced to be imprisoned in the common gaol for the term of one year and to be kept at hard labour therein". Foster would have been imprisoned in the New Gaol on Cumberland Road.

In 1841 Foster and Elizabeth were living in Lawrence Hill with their son Edwin:

Lawrence Hill, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol

Foster TOY aged 60 Whitesmith Not born in County
Elizabeth TOY aged 60 Not born in County
Edwin TOY aged 15 Whitesmith Born in County

The occupation given for Foster in the 1841 census suggests that he might have been a tinker, someone who travelled around mending pots and kettles to earn a living. Foster died of liver disease on 14th June 1847 in Rope Walk, West Street, St Philip & Jacob. His occupation at the time of death was recorded as 'locksmith'. In 1851 Foster's widow Elizabeth was living in the Stapleton Poor Asylum, as seen here in the census for that year:

Asylum for the Poor of Bristol, Stapleton, Bristol

Elizabeth TOY widow aged 74 born Kingsbridge, Devon

Elizabeth TOY (nee HAMMETT) died in Bristol in about 1857.

Joseph TOY (b. 1812) married Sarah OTWAY on 13th June 1842 in St Leonard, Shoreditch, Middlesex. Sarah was born in Bethnal Green, Middlesex in about 1826 and was the daughter of Charles and Hannah OTWAY. Joseph and Sarah had four children together - Sarah Hannah, born 25th February 1844 at 12 Suffolk Street, Bethnal Green, died 14th March 1844 at 12 Suffolk Street; Betsy, born 7th August 1845 at 1 Cross Street, St Paul, St George in the East; Sarah, born 2nd November 1846 at 42 Lower Cornwall Street, St George in the East, and Hannah, born 23rd January 1849 at 37 Tarling Street, St Paul, St George in the East. Joseph died on 18th April 1850 in the Lunatic Asylum, Bow, Middlesex. The cause of death was recorded as 'general paralysis'. In 1851 the widowed Sarah was living in Cornwall Street with her three children:

23 Cornwall Street, St George in the East, London

Sarah TOY widow aged 24 Receiving Parish Relief born Walworth, Surrey
Betsy TOY daughter 5 born St George in the East
Sarah TOY daughter 4 born St George in the East
Hannah TOY daughter 2 born St George in the East

Sarah TOY (nee OTWAY) married Cornelius HULBERT on 2nd July 1855 in St Philip, Bethnal Green, Middlesex.

Like his father, Thomas TOY (b. 1817) appears to have also had a brush with the law. According to the Bristol Quarter Sessions docket books and Felix Farley's Bristol Journal, on 18th October 1831 Thomas TOY, aged 14, pleaded guilty to stealing a silk handkerchief from Thomas Hooper RIDDLE and was "imprisoned in the common gaol to hard labour for the term of three calendar months". On 4th April 1836 Thomas TOY was found guilty of picking the pocket of Elizabeth BEAMES and was "ordered to be transported for the term of seven years". Thomas spent seven months aboard the prison hulk HMS Euryalus at Chatham, Kent before being transferred to the prison hulk HMS Fortitude, also based at Chatham, on 28th November 1836. The records for these institutions describe his "character and connections" as "bad". Then, on 4th October 1837, Thomas TOY of Bristol, aged 21, set sail as a convict aboard the Waterloo from Sheerness, Kent and arrived in New South Wales, Australia on 8th February 1838. He was a convict in Australia for just over five years with his certificate of freedom being granted on 7th June 1843. These records might all relate to the same man, who could have been Foster Morris TOY's son Thomas. As an interesting footnote, a Thomas Hooper RIDDLE was Sheriff of Bristol in 1828.

If it was Foster's son Thomas who was transported to Australia, he appears to have married Elizabeth Henrietta LAWS on 15th March 1842 in St Matthew, Windsor, New South Wales. Thomas and Elizabeth had five children together, all born in New South Wales - Elizabeth Henrietta, born 21st September 1842 in Penrith; Janes, born c. 1844; Thomas, born c. 1847 in Campbelltown; Caroline Lavinia, born c. 1849 in Campbelltown, and Eleanor Louise, born c. 1853 in Abercrombie. Thomas worked as a coach driver for Cobb & Co.

It seems that Thomas and Elizabeth separated shortly after Eleanor's birth as Elizabeth went on to have six more children with another man, all born in New South Wales -Alfred, born c. 1857 in Hill End; Emma, born c. 1859 in Bathurst; James, born c. 1862 in Bathurst; Frances, born c. 1864 in Bathurst; Alice, born c. 1866 in Bathurst, and Louisa, born c. 1869 in Bathurst. Alfred was registered with the surname TOY when he was born but when he drowned in the Manning River, Taree, New South Wales in 1889 his surname was recorded as SEELIE, suggesting that Thomas and Elizabeth had already separated when he was born. The other children were registered as both LAWS and SEELIE. It is believed that the father of all these children was James SEELIE, though it is not known whether he and Elizabeth ever married.

Thomas TOY died in the Liverpool Asylum, New South Wales on 11th August 1889. Elizabeth SEELIE (nee LAWS) died on 21st December 1901 in Myall Street, Dubbo, New South Wales.

Edwin TOY (b. 1825) married Martha CLOUGH on 5th May 1845 in Holy Trinity, St Philips, Bristol. Martha was born in Liverpool in about 1821 and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth CLOUGH. Edwin and Martha had at least one child together - Frederick, born c. 1846 in Bristol. This is how Edwin and Martha appear in the 1851, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

7 Margaret Street, Limehouse, Tower Hamlets, London (1851)

Edwin TOY aged 28 Engineer (Journeyman) born Bristol, Gloucestershire
Martha TOY wife 27 born Bristol, Gloucestershire
Frederick TOY son 5  born Bristol, Gloucestershire

7 Cotton Street, St Ann Limehouse, Tower Hamlets, London (1871)

Edwin TOY aged 42 Engine Fitter born St Philips, Bristol
Margaretta TOY wife 40 born Liverpool, Lancashire

43 West Ferry Road, Poplar, Tower Hamlets, London (1881)

Edwin TOY aged 55 Engineer Fitter & Turner born Bristol, Gloucestershire
Martha TOY wife 58 born Liverpool, Lancashire

John Morris TOY was baptised in Dodbrooke near Kingsbridge, Devon on 1st November 1801 and was the son of Foster Morris TOY and Elizabeth HAMMETT. He married Ann Cottle on 22nd October 1820 in Stapleton, Gloucestershire. Ann was born in about 1802 in Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol and was the daughter of Joseph COTTERELL and Mary ROSE. John and Ann had at least eight children together, all baptised in St Philip & Jacob - Mary Ann, baptsied 25th December 1821; John, baptised 9th March 1823; Elizabeth, baptised 21st March 1824; Eliza, baptised 13th August 1826; John, baptised 19th April 1829; William, baptised 19 February 1832; Ann, baptised 12th April 1835, and Henry, baptised 8th July 1838. John was described as a smith, general dealer or traveller on various records, which suggests that, like his father, he was also a tinker. This is how John and Ann appear in the 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses:

Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1841)

John TOY aged 35 General Dealer Not born in county
Ann TOY aged 35 born in county
Elizabeth TOY aged 15 born in county
Eliza TOY aged 10 born in county
John TOY aged 10 born in county
William TOY aged 8 born in county
Ann TOY aged 5 born in county
Henry TOY aged 2 born in county

Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1851)

John TOY aged 50 Smith born Kingsbridge, Devon
Ann TOY wife 48 born Little George Street, Bristol
E. PARKINSON lodger 27 born Eugene Street, Bristol
Ann TOY daughter 15 born Eugene Street, Bristol
Henry TOY son 13 born Eugene Street, Bristol
Sarah A. PARKINSON visitor 6 born St. Philips, Bristol
John T. PARKINSON visitor 12 months born St James, Bristol

21 Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1861)

John TOY aged 49 Traveller born Bristol
Ann TOY wife 41 born Bristol
Henry TOY son 22 Works at Glue Factory born Bristol
Sarah Ann PARKINSON granddaughter 15 born Bristol
John Thos. PARKINSON grandson 11 born Bristol
Emily PARKINSON granddaughter 9 born Bristol

John Morris TOY died of phthisis on 4th November 1863 at 27 Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. His widow Ann continued to live in Little George Street, as seen here in the 1871 census:

Ann TOY widow aged 70 Hawker born Bristol
Henry SPRING grandson 9 Scholar born Bristol

Ann TOY (nee COTTLE) died on 13th April 1876 at 17 Little George Street.

John TOY (b. 1829) married Archerbell BAKER on 18th June 1850 in Bedminster, Bristol. She was born in Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire in about 1827 and was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth BAKER. John and Archerbell had at least five children together, all born in Bristol - Elizabeth, born 25th February 1851, died 13th May 1857 at 11 White Street, St Philip & Jacob; Edwin, born 28th September 1853 at 2 Lamb Street, St Philip & Jacob; Alfred, born c. 1855; Walter, born c. 1857, and Kate, born 4th November 1859. This is how the family appears in the 1851 and 1861 censuses:

Lamb Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1851)

Elizabeth BAKER widow aged 54 Stay Seller born Gloucestershire
John TOY aged 22 General Dealer born Bristol
Archer TOY wife 24 born Buckinghamshire
Elizabeth TOY daughter 1 month born Bristol
John JARRETT lodger 58 Feltmaker born Bristol

11 James Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1861)

John TOY aged 32 Grease Refiner Employing 3 Men born Bristol
Archer TOY wife 34 born Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire
Edwin TOY son 7 born Bristol
Walter TOY son 4 born Bristol
Kate TOY daughter 1 born Bristol
Mary WEYMOUTH visitor 32 Dressmaker born Keynsham, Somerset
Maria NEWMAN servant 12 born Bristol

On 20th July 1861 John was imprisoned in Bristol Gaol having been unable to pay a debt of £43 owed to Mr. W. P. CHILCOTT. On 14th November 1861 he was declared bankrupt and dicharged from prison. The following article appeared in the Western Daily Press on 15th January 1862:

"Bristol County Court. Bankruptcy Cases. Re John Toy, Little George Street, grease dealer. The bankrupt was recently discharged from gaol by the Registrar of the Bankruptcy Court, who directed proceedings to be taken against him in the County Court. Mr Hemmons said the bankrupt had not filed his accounts in accordance with the act, and was therefore not in a position to pass his last examination. His Honour asked the bankrupt how it occurred that he had not filed his balance-sheet. Bankrupt: Because I didn't understand what I had to do. Mr Hemmons said he had already informed the bankrupt that he must file a statement, but the latter told him that he had no means to do so. There did not appear to be any power in the court to compel the bankrupt to do so, and as long as he surrendered himself upon his examination the bankrupt could not be punished. The court, however, could withdraw the protection and adjourn the examination. Mr Brittan, in reply to his Honour, said he did not think the court could do more than compel the bankrupt to surrender, and if his Honour withdrew his protection the bankrupt would still be protected from arrest by the Registrar of the Bankruptcy Court. His Honour said that was exactly his own opinion on the matter. He would adjourn the examination for two months, and until the proper accounts were filed the bankrupt could not be allowed his discharge."

The County Court granted John an Order of Discharge on 25th March 1862, releasing him from his liabilities.

On 5th November 1862 the following article appeared in the Western Daily Press: "For Sale, 500 Tons of Rosin Staves, for Cement Works, &c., and about 200 Tons of Rosin Wood, for Fire. - Apply to John Toy, Grease Refiner, James Street, Pennywell Road."

John was declared bankrupt again on 15th June 1865 and his continued financial problems may have contributed to his decision to immigrate to the USA in the late 1860s. Archerbell and their children Edwin, Walter and Kate accompanied him. At the time of the 1870 Federal Census they were living in Philadelphia, as seen here:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

John TOY aged 38 Lard Refiner born England
Archibel TOY aged 40 Keeping House born England
Walter TOY aged 13 Scholar born England
Kate TOY aged 10 Scholar born England
James WILLIAMS aged 21 Works in Lard Factory born England
Alice WILLIAMS aged 17 born England
William TAYLOR aged 41 Works in Lard Factory born England

By 1880 they had moved to Virginia:

Back Creek, Frankin County, Virginia

John TOYE aged 51 Boarder born England
Archibell TOYE aged 52 Boarder born England

Archerbell TOY (nee BAKER) died from carcinoma of the uterus on 30th July 1891 aged 64 in Philadelphia and was buried in the North Cedar Hill Cemetery. The following obitiary appeared in a local newspaper: "Mrs. Archerbelle Toye, formerly of Bristol, England, and later a resident of Frankford, died at the residence of her nephew, Wm. Davis, 4526 Franklin street, on Thursday, July 30. The funeral took place on Monday at 2 P.M. and was attended by a large circle of friends. Mrs. Toye was a member of Central M. E. Church and by her kind and Christian manner won to her side many of the members, who in her long months of suffering were always ready and glad to minister to her wants and comfort her by their presence, prayers and songs. Her former Pastor, Rev. J. S. Hughes, as well as the present Pastor, Rev. C. M. Boswell, were present at the funeral service and spoke very feelingly of the patient endurance and Christian fortitude she exhibited during her terrible sufferings and tendered their warmest sympathies to her bereaved friends. It can be truly said of her, 'She has entered into rest.' Interment was in her nephew's lot in the old Cedar Hill Cemetery."

Her husband John died a year later on 9th August 1892 at South Braddock Street, Winchester, Virginia, the home of his daughter and son-in-law Kate and Edward DEHAVEN. The tragic circumstances surrounding his death were reported in the the Harrisonburg Rockingham Register on 19th August 1892:

"A Deliberate Suicide. John Toye puts a revolver in his mouth and sends a bullet through his brain. John Toye, of Winchester, committed suicide at the home of his daughter in that city on Tuesday afternoon, August 9th, by shooting himself through the brain with a revolver. The deceased was well known in Harrisonburg by reason of his connection for several years past with the Houck Tanning Company. He had a contract with the Company for the fleshings of the tannery here, which he dried and prepared for market on the Valley pike a short distance above town. He had been a great sufferer from cancer in the mouth for years. An operation was performed some time ago by which a portion of the upper jaw bone had been removed, which interfered considerably with his powers of speech. He left Harrisonburg only the day before the tragic occurrence of the 9th inst. He stopped while here at the Hotel Wilton, where his sufferings were well understood and where he received the kindest attention from Mr. and Mrs. Pollock. He frequently spoke of death as the only relief from the agony he was suffering, and from remarks made at the hotel and from a conversation had with Mr. J. P. Houck a day or two before he left town it is now evident that his mind was set upon suicide for some time past. It is also probable that the note referred to below was written at the Pollock House. The following particulars of the suicide are taken from theWinchester Leader of last Friday:

"'The sharp report of a pistol startled the passers-by on Braddock street on Tuesday afternoon between three and four o'clock. Investigations showed that by his own hand, Mr. John Toye, an aged and respected citizen of this city, had put an end to his suffering on earth and passed into the great beyond. The rash act was committed while Mr. Toye was seated upon the porch in front of the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Edward DeHaven, on South Braddock street. After telling his daughter to go to the tournament, then in progress as the Fair Ground, and sending his son-in-law down street to pay a bill, he deliberately walked out on the porch, took a seat, placed the barrel of a small revolver in his mouth, pulled the trigger, and sent a ball crashing into his brain. His motives for so doing are contained in a letter, which was found under his body, and are as follows: For some time past he had been a terrible sufferer from a cancer of the throat; one that had eaten away until his vocal organs were almost destroyed, making it difficult for him to speak. What he suffered, he said, no one knew but God, and he hoped that He before whom he would shortly be called "to give an account of the deeds done in the body," would forgive him for his rash act. In his letter, which was dated Aug. 8th, he made all the necessary arrangements for his funeral, and for the disposal of his body, which by his request, will be laid by the side of his wife, who died recently, and is interred in Philadelphia. Mr. Toye has said before "that if it was not for the sin, he would commit suicide," but no one supposed he meant to do so. About a month ago he joined the M. E. Church, South. Mr. Toye, although until recently a resident of Philadelphia, was at one time a prosperous merchant at Capon Bridge, W. Va., and is reputed to have been quite well-to-do. His remains were embalmed by Messrs. Funk & Ray, and were shipped to Philadelphia yesterday morning.'"

John's body was transported by train to Philadelphia, arriving at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station at 24th and Chestnut Street. He was buried in North Cedar Hill Cemetery on 11th August 1892.

Ann TOY (b. 1835) married John PRING on 15th August 1853 in Bedminster, Bristol. John was born in Bristol in about 1828 and was the son of William and Elizabeth PRING. He had been previously married to Caroline KING but she died in 1849. John and Ann had at least eight children together, all born in Bristol - John, born c. 1855; James, born c. 1857; Sarah Ann, born c. 1858; Henry, born c. 1861; Harriet, born c. 1864; Elizabeth, born c. 1866; William, born c. 1868, and Samuel, born c. 1870. This is how John and Ann appear in the 1861 and 1871 censuses (their surname is spelt incorrectly in 1871):

17 Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1861)

John PRING aged 30 Labourer born Bristol
Ann PRING wife 26 born Bristol
John PRING son 6 born Bristol
James PRING son 4 born Bristol
Sarah Ann PRING daughter 3 born Bristol

35 Little George Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1871)

John SPRING aged aged 50 Labourer (Sandpit) born Bristol
Ann SPRING wife 37 Hawker (Sand) born Bristol
John SPRING son 16 Hawker (Sand) born Bristol
James SPRING son 14 Shoemaker  born Bristol
Sarah A. SPRING daughter 13 Scholar born Bristol
Harriett SPRING daughter 8 Scholar born Bristol
Elizabeth SPRING daughter 5 Scholar born Bristol
William SPRING son 3 Scholar born Bristol
Samuel SPRING son 5 months born Bristol

John PRING died in about 1878. This is how Ann appears in the 1881 census:

5 Paddock, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol

Ann PRING widow aged 44 Hawker born Bristol
Harriet PRING daughter 16 Factory Girl born Bristol
Elizabeth PRING daughter 14 Factory Girl born Bristol
William PRING son 13 Scholar born Bristol
Samuel PRING son 9 Scholar born Bristol

Ann PRING (nee TOY) died in about 1888.

William TOY (1832-1890)

William TOY was baptised on 19th February 1832 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol and was the son of John TOY and Ann COTTLE. He married Mary Ann LANE on 20th May 1850 in St Philip & Jacob. Mary was baptised on 24th June 1832 in St Philip & Jacob and was the daughter of William LANE and Ann WARDMAN. In 1851 William and Mary were living with Mary's mother in Twinnell Road, St Philip & Jacob as seen here in the census for that year:

Ann LANE widow aged 38 born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
Emma LANE daughter 20 Sempstress born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
Eliza LANE daughter 17 Sempstress born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
Thomas LANE son 14 Errand Boy born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
William LANE son 5 Scholar born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
James LANE son 3 Scholar born St Philip & Jacob, Bristol
William TOY lodger 20 General Labourer
Mary Ann TOY wife 19

William and Mary appear to have only had one child together - Henry, born 18th June 1851 at 24 Twinnell Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. William was described as a general dealer, hawker or traveller on various records which suggests that, like his father and grandfather, he made his living as a tinker. This is how William and Mary appear in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

Bedford Place, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1861)

William TOY aged 28 General Dealer born St Philips, Bristol
Mary A. TOY wife 28 born St Philips, Bristol
Henry TOY son 9 Scholar born St Philips, Bristol

Dalmond Court, Eugene Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1871)

William TOY aged 38 General Labourer born Eugene Street, Bristol
Mary Ann TOY wife 38 Laundress born Stapleton Road, Bristol

2 Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol (1881)

William TOY aged 48 General Dealer born Bristol
Mary Ann TOY wife 49 Laundress born Bristol

William TOY died of acute pneumonia on 28th November 1890 at 2 Parson Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. This is how his widow Mary appears in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

2 Parson Street, St Gabriel, Bristol (1891)

Mary Ann TOY widow 58 Laundress born Bristol
Emma LANE sister 59 Laundress born Bristol

119 Pennywell Road, St Gabriel, Bristol (1901)

Edward THOMAS aged 66 Iron Moulder born Bristol
Clara A. THOMAS wife 52 General Shop Keeper (Own Account) born Bristol
Edward THOMAS son 20 Boot Maker born Bristol
James THOMAS son 18 Boot Maker born Bristol
Mary A. TOY boarder widow 68 Laundress born Bristol

Mary Ann TOY (nee LANE) died on 2nd January 1906 at the Bristol Workhouse in Eastville.

Henry TOY (1851-1930)

Henry TOY was born on 18th June 1851 at 24 Twinnell Street, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol and was the only son of William TOY and Mary Ann Lane. He married Louisa JENKINS on 25th December 1870 in The Register Office, Bristol. Louisa was born on 26th January 1851 at 12 Broad Plain, St Philip & Jacob, Bristol and was the daughter of Edwin JENKINS and Sarah NATION. In 1871 Henry and Louisa were living at the same address as Louisa's parents, as seen here in the census for that year:

Henry TOY aged 19 Mason born Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 20 born Bristol

They moved to 9 Tower Hill later that year and it was here that their first child, Edwin Henry, was born on 28th November. Henry and Louisa had ten more children together, all born in Bristol - Henry Thomas, born 27th September 1874; Louisa Matilda, born 11th October 1876; William, born 12th October 1878; Matilda, born 25th July 1880; Sarah Emma, born 8th August 1882; Rosie Elizabeth, born 16th December 1884; Ada Florence, born 25th November 1886; Elizabeth, born 15th October 1888; Annie, born 6th February 1891, and Albert, born 12th January 1895. In 1881 the family was living at 13 Alexandra Terrace, Bristol and Henry was working as a mason, as seen here in the census for that year:

13 Alexandra Terr, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob Out, Bristol

Henry TOY aged 29 Mason born St Philips, Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 30 born St Philips, Bristol
Edwin H. TOY son 9 Scholar born St Philips, Bristol
Henry T. TOY son 6 Scholar born St Philips, Bristol
Louisa TOY daughter 4 Scholar born St Philips, Bristol
William TOY son 2 born St Philips, Bristol
Matilda TOY daughter 8 months born St Philips, Bristol

By 1891 the family had moved to Southey Street, as seen here in the census for that year:

23 Southey Street, St Werburgh, Bristol

Henry TOY aged 40 Mason born Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 40 born Bristol
Edward TOY son 19 Mason's Labourer born Bristol
Henry TOY son 16 Carter born Bristol
William TOY son 12 born Bristol
Matilda TOY daughter 9 born Bristol
Emily TOY daughter 8 born Bristol
Rose TOY daughter 6 born Bristol
Ada TOY daughter 4 born Bristol
Bessie TOY daughter 2 born Bristol
Annie TOY daughter 2 months born Bristol

The family later moved to James Street where Henry remained until his death. This is how the family appears in the 1901, 1911 and 1921 censuses:

23 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol (1901)

Henry TOY aged 49 Mason born Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 50 born Bristol
Willam TOY son 22 Mason's Labourer born Bristol
Matilda TOY daughter 20 Confectioner's Assistant born Bristol
Emily TOY daughter 18 Confectioner's Assistant born Bristol
Rose TOY daughter 16 Cigarette Mouthpiece Maker born Bristol
Ada TOY daughter aged 14 Pawnbroker's Shop Assistant born Bristol
Bessie TOY daughter aged 12 born Bristol
Annie TOY daughter aged 10 born Bristol
Albert TOY aged 6 born Bristol

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

Henry TOY aged 59 Bricklayer born Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 60 born Bristol
William TOY son 32 Labourer born Bristol
Bessie TOY daughter 22 Machinist born Bristol
Annie TOY daughter 20 Stock Keeper born Bristol
Albert TOY son 16 Assistant born Bristol

23 James Street, Mina Road, Bristol (1921)

Henry TOY aged 70 years Mason (Out of Work) born Easton, Bristol
Louisa TOY wife 70 years 6 months born St Philips, Bristol

Louisa TOY (nee JENKINS) died on 8th October 1928 at 23 James Street. Henry TOY died on 21st October 1930 at the Eastville Workhouse, 100 Fishponds Road, Stapleton, Bristol. On his death certificate he is described as a bricklayer, which perhaps suggests that he was being somewhat creative when he referred to himself as a mason!

Henry Thomas TOY (b. 1874) married Anne GULLIVER in Bristol in 1895. Anne was born in Bristol in about 1877. Henry and Anne had at least nine children, all born in Bristol - Annie, born c. 1895; Albert Henry, born 15th July 1896 at 32 Holton Street, died later that year; Louisa, born c. 1897; Henry, born c. 1898; Charles Jacob, born c. 1900; Jane, born c. 1902; William, born c. 1904; Ivor Frederick, born 28th December 1908, and Florence, born c. 1911. This is how the family appears in the 1901 and 1911 censuses:

30 Little Anne Street, St Jude, Bristol (1901)

Henry TOY aged 26 Corn Mill Labourer born Bristol
Annie TOY wife 24 born Bristol
Louisa TOY daughter 4 born Bristol
Henry TOY son 2 born Bristol
Charley TOY son 1 born Bristol

15 Dove Lane, St Paul, Bristol (1911)

Henry TOY aged 37 Mill Labourer born Bristol
Annie TOY wife 37 born Bristol
Annie TOY daughter 16 Domestic Servant born Bristol
Louisa TOY daughter 14 born Bristol
Henry TOY son 13 born Bristol
Charlie TOY son 11 born Bristol
Jane TOY daughter 10 born Bristol
William TOY son 7 born Bristol
Ivor TOY son 3 born Bristol
Florence TOY daughter 3 months born Bristol

Henry Thomas TOY died on 27th May 1934 in Bristol.

Louisa Matilda TOY (b. 1876) married Edward Frederick HAMLYN on 2nd August 1904 at The Register Office, Bristol. Edward was born in Bristol on 3rd February 1877. Louisa and Edward had at least one child together - Edith Maud, born c. 1906 in Bristol. This is how the family appears in the 1911 census:

36 Redding Road, Eastville, Bristol

Edward F. HAMLYN aged 35 Decorator born Bristol
Louisa HAMLYN wife 34 born Bristol
Edith HAMLYN daughter 4 born Bristol
Victor HAMLYN brother 19 Labourer in Building Trade born Bristol

Louisa HAMLYN (nee TOY) died in Bristol on 17th February 1972.

Matilda TOY (b. 1880) married George VOWLES on 6th August 1904 in St Werburgh, Bristol. George was born c. 1880 in Redhill, Somerset. Matilda and George had at least one child together - Ellen Louisa, born 15th June 1919, died 29th June 1919. This is how Matilda and George appear in 1911:

9 Stanley Street, Bedminster, Bristol

George VOWLES aged 30 Tobacco Operator born Redhill, Somerset
Matilda VOWLES wife 30 born Bristol

George VOWLES died on 9th April 1936 and Matilda (nee TOY) died in 1971.

Sarah Emma TOY (b. 1882) married George SCRIVEN on 23rd April 1904 in St Werburgh. George was born in about 1882 and was the son of John SCRIVEN. Sarah and George had at least four children together, all born in Bristol - Gladys May, born c. 1904; Leslie George, born c. 1910; Reginald, born 28th December 1911, and Vernon, born c. 1920. This is how the family appears in 1911:

45 Mogg Street, St Werburgh, Bristol

Sarah Emma SCRIVEN aged 28 born Bristol
Gladys May SCRIVEN daughter 6 born Bristol
Leslie George SCRIVEN son 6 months born Bristol
Thomas George RANDALL boarder 34 Wood Sawyer born Bristol
George HALE boarder 25 Iron Worker born Bath, Somerset

Elizabeth TOY (b. 1888) married George William HALE on 5th August 1911 in St Werburgh, Bristol. George was born in Bath, Somerset on 30th December 1885 and was the son of Jesse HALE and Julia WATKINS. Elizabeth and George had at least two children together, both born in Bristol - Iris May, born 4th August 1913, and Douglas George, born 10th December 1915. Elizabeth HALE (nee TOY) died in Bristol on 5th May 1939, and her husband George died on 24th August 1972.

Annie TOY (b. 1891) married Edgar Sealey PREECE on 25th May 1912 in St Werburgh, Bristol. Edgar was born in Bristol in about 1892 and was the son of Evan PREECE and Elizabeth LANE. Annie and Edgar had at least two children together, both born in Bristol - Evan, born c. 1914, died c. 1918, and Evan William, born 3rd March 1919. Annie PREECE (nee TOY) died in Bristol on 4th January 1950.

Albert TOY (b. 1895) married Nellie EVANS on 24th November 1915 in St Werburgh, Bristol. She was born on 31 May 1895. Albert and Nellie had two children together, both born in Bristol - Albert Royston, born c. 1917, died c. 1918, and Albert Reginald, born c. 1922. Albert TOY died in Bristol on 7th April 1972. His widow Nellie died in 1990.

Edwin Henry TOY was born on 28th November 1871 at 9 Tower Hill, Castle Precincts, Bristol. He was the eldest son of Henry TOY and Louisa JENKINS and worked as a mason's labourer. By the early 1890s he had started to call himself "Edward" TOY, and it is this name that appears on his marriage certificate. He married Emily Lucy ROSE on 20th April 1892 in The Register Office, Bristol. Emily's ancestry is rather confusing, but it seems she was born in a lodging house in the Crockwell area of Bicester, Oxfordshire on 6th January 1874, the daughter of Joseph ROSE and Ellen TIMMS, although her marriage certificate shows her father's name as James, and the 1901 census shows her birthplace as Bristol!

Edwin and Emily had at least ten children together, all born in Bristol - Daisy Florence, born 21st November 1892 at 42 James Street, Mina Road, St Philip & Jacob, died 16th March 1893 at 1 John Street, Mina Road; Emily, born 28th November 1893 at 6 York Street, Mina Road; Edwin Joseph, born 9th December 1895 at 3 John Street, Mina Road, died 28th April 1897 at 3 John Street; Rose Matilda, born 14th October 1897 at 3 John Street; Edith Nellie, born 12th October 1899 at 5 Mina Road; William Henry, born 19th December 1901 at 43 York Street, died 8th August 1902 at 43 York Street; Albert Joseph, born 2nd August 1903 at 39 York Street, Ashley; Grace May, born 12th June 1907 at 39 York Street; Ivy Phyllis, born 12th February 1910 at 39 York Street, and George William, born 28th July 1912 at 39 York Street. In 1901 the family was living in the same street as Edwin's father in the St Werburgh area of Bristol, as seen here in the census for that year:

19 James Street, St Werburgh, Bristol

Edwin TOY aged 29 Mason's Labourer born Bristol
Lucy TOY wife 25 born Bristol
Emily TOY daughter 7 born Bristol
Rose TOY daughter 3 born Bristol
Edith TOY daughter 1 born Bristol

Edwin later rented 39 York Street, St Werburgh from the landlord of The Plough on the corner of Sevier Street and Ashley Parade and this is where the family was living at the time of the 1911 and 1921 censuses (it isn't known why everyone in the family is shown with Mina Road as their birthplace in 1921, or why Edith is shown with her married name even though she didn't marry until a month after the census was taken):

39 York Street, Mina Road, Bristol (1911)

Edward TOY aged 40 Mason's Labourer born Bristol
Emily Lucy TOY wife 38 born Bicester, Oxfordshire
Emily TOY daughter 17 Corset Maker born Bristol
Rose Matilda TOY daughter 14 Scholar born Bristol
Edith Nelly TOY daughter 11 Scholar born Bristol
Albert Joseph TOY son 8 born Bristol
May Grace TOY daughter 3 born Bristol
Ivy Doris TOY daughter 1 born Bristol

39 York Street, St Werburgh, Bristol (1921)

Edward TOY aged 50 years 7 months Bricklayer's Labourer (Walters & Son Builders, Bath Buildings, Montpelier) born Mina Road, Bristol
Emily Lucy TOY wife 48 years 5 months Home Duties born Mina Road, Bristol
Edith LAVER daughter 21 years 7 months Home Duties born Mina Road, Bristol
Albert TOY son 16 years 9 months Barrow Delivery (Paxmans Ltd, Laundrymen, Elm Road, Horfield) born Mina Road, Bristol
May TOY daughter 14 years Scholar (Whole Time) born Mina Road, Bristol
Ivy TOY daughter 10 years 9 months Scholar (Whole Time) born Mina Road, Bristol
George TOY son 8 years 10 months  Scholar (Whole Time) born Mina Road, Bristol

Edwin TOY liked his drink and would often spend his money in the pub after being paid. His wife Emily was apparently a bit of a battle-axe. She worked for a firm called Allen's making coats until it closed down. Edwin died on 7th June 1938 at the Eastville Workhouse, 100 Fishponds Road, Stapleton, Bristol. His daughter Emily was the informant. Edwin's widow Emily continued to live at 39 York Street with her daughter Edith until the landlord sold the property. Emily and Edith then moved into council accomodation in Hartcliffe. Emily Lucy TOY (nee ROSE) died on 1st April 1961 at 1 Brocks Road, Hartcliffe.

Emily TOY (b. 1894) married William Edward Charles WILLIAMS in Bristol in 1915. William was born on 23rd August 1894 in Barton Hill, Bristol and owned his own haulage business, making deliveries with his own lorry. He and Emily lived in Whitehall. They had three children together, all born in Bristol - Ivy Edith May, born 1916; Maurice Edward Charles, born 27th July 1921, and another son who died in infancy. Ivy died of consumption in 1934 aged only 17. This is how the family is shown in the 1921 census:

3 Beaufort Street, Holy Trinity, Bristol

William Edward Charles WILLIAMS aged 26 years 10 months Motor Haulage (Own Account) born Barton Hill, Bristol
Emily WILLIAMS wife 27 years 7 months Home Duties born Mina Road, Bristol
Ivy Edith May WILLIAMS daughter 5 years 1 month Scholar (Whole Time) born Trinity, Bristol

The 1939 Registers shows Emily and William living at 17 Whitehall Gardens, Bristol with William's occupation recorded as 'road transport driver (food)'. Emily WILLIAMS (nee TOY) died in Bristol in 1980.

Rose Matilda TOY (b. 1897) died on 23rd October 1912 at 39 York Street aged only 15.

Edith Nellie TOY (b. 1899) married Cyril Albert Edward LAVER on 11th July 1921 in The Register Office, Bristol. Cyril was born on 3rd April 1902 in Hambrook, Winterbourne, Gloucestershire and was the son of Sam LAVER and Emma STACEY. For more information about Cyril and Edith please see my LAVER Family of North Cadbury and Bristol page.

Albert Joseph TOY (b. 1903) married Eveline Ada WILLIAMS on 18th May 1929 in St Werburgh. She was born on 14th June 1907 in Bristol and was the daughter of Herbert Edgar WILLIAMS and Ada Emily NECK. Albert and Eveline may have first met at a fairground on the corner of Midland Road. They had one son together - John Albert Edgar, born 20th November 1930 in Bristol. Albert TOY worked as a builder and plasterer and during the Second World War he went to London with his brother-in-law Ted CLEVELY to repair bomb damage. He also had a Sunday milkround for Coffins, a local dairy. Albert Joseph TOY died on 3rd April 1969. Eveline Ada TOY (nee WILLIAMS) died on 10th June 1986 in Bristol.

Grace May TOY (b. 1907) married Edward CLEVELY, a plasterer, in Bristol in 1930. They had one daughter - Joyce, born 27th March 1932.

Ivy Phyllis TOY (b. 1910) was born Ivy Doris TOY and is shown as such in the 1911 census, however when she was baptised on 28th August 1912 in St Werburgh she was given the name Ivy Phyllis, and this was the name she used from then on. She married Allen Richard Thomas DREW on 3rd March 1935 in St Werburgh, Bristol. Allen was born in Wales on 15th June 1911 and was the son of Thomas Allen William DREW and Harriett BROWN.  He served in the Somerset Light Infantry and he and Ivy had two sons together -  Allen and Philip. The family later moved to Sussex.

George William TOY (b. 1912) was only a few years older than his nephew Cyril LAVER and was more like an older brother to him than an uncle. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corp and went missing for a while in Burma. He married Hilda TURNER in Bristol in 1934 and worked as a roofer and plasterer for Don Hallet & Son, general builders, of Devon Road, Bristol. George died in Bristol in 1969.

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