Wilson Family of Thornbury
Wilson Family of Thornbury
(?) Thomas Wilson and Ann Gamer
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Thomas Wilson (1731-) and Mary Price (1728-)
Yeoman, Farmer, Grazier of Morton, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
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Joseph Wilson (1768-1820) and Sarah Gazard
Husbandman of Thornbury
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Ann Wilson (1808-1842) and Thomas Smith I
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Thomas Smith II and Sarah Woodward
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Ellen Smith and Henry Terrett
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Notes on the Wilson Family of Crossways and Morton, Thornbury, Gloucestershire
THOMAS WILSON AND MARY nee PRICE, Great V Grandparents
Thomas Wilson was baptised at Thornbury on 15th July 1731, probably the son of Thomas Willson and Ann, nee Gamer, who were married at Tytherington on 30th March 1730.
Thomas Wilson married Mary Price on 7th February 1754 at Thornbury.
In 1766 the Vicar described Mary as being the daughter of Samuel Price of Stone, labourer, and Mary Davies his wife.
There is a baptism for a Mary Price on 12th May 1728, at Berkeley, and she is described as the daughter of Samuel Price of Lower Stone. A Mary Davies married Samuel Price, a Labourer of Stone, at Berkeley on 4th April 1727 which confirms the Vicar’s note of 1766. Samuel Price might, in turn, be the Samuel who was the son of a Henry Price, baptised on 9th February 1708 at Berkeley in which case Henry may be the son of another Henry Price and baptised on 22nd April 1674.
To date, I have traced six of the children of Thomas and Mary Wilson who are listed in the Thornbury baptismal records, namely and in order of birth, Thomas, Mary, Hannah, Joseph, an infant John and another John. However, Mary was described as the fourth child of the marriage and Hannah as the fifth. The younger John was listed as the fourth son so this means that there were two further daughters between the births of Thomas and Mary.
Their daughter, Mary, died aged eight in 1772.
Thomas Wilson was referred to in the registers as a Yeoman and as a Farmer of Moreton. However, when he died in 1779 he was described as a Grazier. Thomas Wilson was buried on 22nd June 1730, aged fifty years.
On 8th March 1780, Thomas’s widow, Mary, appeared at Gloucester with Aaron Knights, a Gloucester Innkeeper, to apply to administer her late husband’s estate.
Tantalisingly, there is a marriage by licence at Thornbury on 12th March, four days later, when a Mary Wilson marries John Biddell. A John and Mary Biddle were later living in Alveston where she was buried. Otherwise, there would appear not to be a burial for a Mary Wilson at Thornbury.
The children of Thomas and Mary Wilson:
THOMAS WILSON, Great V Uncle
Thomas was baptised on 21st May 1755 at Thornbury.
Thomas Wilson Jnr. married Hester Trotman, widow, on 26th May 1776 after the calling of banns. Their first child was Thomas, born on 2nd June 1776 and baptised at Thornbury on 11th August. In the register he was listed as ‘son of Thomas Wilson Jnr. and Esther (Beard), his wife, relict of John Trotman, late of this Parish.’
Thomas, son of Thomas and Esther, died of Smallpox and was buried on 12th March 1777. On 17th March his half-brother, John, son of John Trotman and Esther (now Wilson), died of Smallpox and was buried aged four years.
Esther Wilson, wife of Thomas Wilson, Junior, died, aged twenty-eight-years, and was buried on 4th March 1778 at Thornbury.
Banns were called in May 1778 for a marriage between Thomas Wilson Jnr and Christian Withers both of Thornbury Parish. There is no record of this marriage taking place and on 5th May 1782 a Christian Withers seems to have married John Fowler instead.
From this point (1778) Thomas disappears from the Records.
MARY WILSON, Great V Aunt
Mary, the fourth child of Thomas and Mary Wilson, Farmer of Moreton, was born on 2nd February 1764 and baptised at Thornbury on 18th January 1765.
Mary, daughter of Thomas and Mary Wilson, was buried at Thornbury on 20th December 1772 aged eight years.
HANNAH WILSON (CHILD), Great V Aunt
Hannah was born on 1st May 1766 and baptised at Thornbury on 16th May. She was described as the fifth child of Thomas Wilson of Moreton, Yeoman and Mary, daughter of Samuel Price of Stone, Labourer, and Mary Davies of the same place, wife.
I can find nothing further about her.
JOSEPH WILSON, Great IV Grandfather
Joseph Wilson was born on 12th March 1768 and baptised on 8th April. The entry in the Thornbury Baptismal Register is very full and it states that Joseph was the sixth child of Thomas Wilson, a Yeoman of Moreton, and Mary, his wife. Joseph’s mother was the daughter of Sam. Price of Stone, a labourer, and Mary Davies, of the same place, his wife.
See later …
JOHN WILSON (INFANT), Great V Uncle
John the son of Thomas and Mary Wilson was buried at Thornbury on 15th April 1770
JOHN WILSON, Great V Uncle
John was born on 1st February 1771 and baptised on 13th March. He was described as the fourth son of Thomas and Mary Price, his wife, of Morton.
John married Sarah Biddle on 17th December 1794 at Thornbury.
Their children were William, baptised on 4th January 1795, and John, born on 29th December 1797 and baptised at Thornbury on 24th January 1798.
A John Wilson of Grovesend was buried on 29th December 1833, aged sixty-six-years.
Their children:
William Wilson
Their son, William Wilson, married Amelia Walker at Thornbury on 7th December 1825. In 1841 the couple was living at Gillingstool Hill, Thornbury. William was aged forty, an Agricultural Labourer, and Amelia was aged fifty. Their children were listed as, Emma, aged twelve, and Hannah, aged seven.
Amelia Wilson, of Crossways, was buried on 24th September 1844, aged fifty-eight-years, and, in 1851, William Wilson of Crossways Lane was living alone and working as an agricultural Labourer. He was aged fifty-six and described as a Widower. William was buried on 17th March 1861 aged sixty-six-years.
John Wilson
On 14th July 1823, John Wilson, son of John and Unity Wilson, was baptised at Thornbury. John was working as a Labourer of Grovesend. I have not found a marriage for the baby’s parents.
John Wilson, a widower and Nailer, of Thornbury, son of John Wilson, Labourer, married Eliza Davis, of Thornbury, daughter of John Davis, Shoemaker, married at Thornbury on 8th April 1839. Both the bride, bridegroom and witnesses made their marks.
John Wilson, was living in the town centre of Thornbury at the time of the 1841 census and working as a Nail Maker. He was then aged forty-five and his wife, Eliza, was aged thirty-six. With them were their children. John, an eighteen-year-old Shoe Maker’s Apprentice, and Joseph, aged one year.
In 1851 John and Eliza were living at Back Street, Thornbury. John was a fifty-year-old Nailer and his wife was aged forty-seven. Their son, Joseph, was living with them, aged eleven.
Ten years later the family was living in Ragland Road, Thornbury. John was a sixty-two-year-old Nailer, Eliza, aged fifty-seven, and their son, Joseph, was twenty-one and working as a Blacksmith.
JOSEPH WILSON AND SARAH nee GAZARD, Great IV Grandparents
Joseph Wilson was born on 12th March 1768 and baptised on 8th April. The entry in the Thornbury Baptismal Register is very full and it states that Joseph was the sixth child of Thomas Wilson, a Yeoman of Moreton, and Mary, his wife. Joseph’s mother was the daughter of Sam. Price of Stone, a labourer, and Mary Davies, of the same place, his wife.
On 13th October 1788 Joseph married Sarah Gazard at Rockhampton. The banns were called by the curate, Mr S Jenner, on 14th, 21st and 28th September and both parties were described as of Rockhampton Parish. Mr Jenner married them and they both made their marks as did the witnesses John Screen and Mark Watkins.
I can find nothing further about Sarah Gazard.
Joseph and Sarah had at least nine children between 1788 and 1808.
1814 Land Tax – paying eleven shillings.
On 5th June 1820 Joseph made his will in which he speaks of his trustee George Motley selling:
‘My freehold messuage, dwelling house wherein my son George doth now dwells with the Garden, Orchard and appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being near to Moorton, in the said Parish of Thornbury. And also all my copyhold or customary closes of ground, hereditaments and premises situate in the parish of Thornbury …’
Secondly, he speaks of his trustees, George Motley, Pig Killer of Thornbury, and Edward Doward, Innkeeper of Alveston, realising his other assets:
‘All my Household Goods, furniture, farming stock and implements of husbandry, monies and personal estate of every nature and kind.’
The sum of £300 was to pass to his wife, Sarah, his sole executrix, for the benefit of herself and their children. Their sons, Joseph and James, were to receive £15 each and Nancy £20. The remainder was to be shared amongst them.
On 19th June 1820 Joseph Wilson, a Husbandman from Filner, was buried at Thornbury, aged fifty-two years.
On 7th September 1821 Sarah was sworn as the Executrix and the estate was valued at less than £800.
Sarah Wilson, his widow, was probably the Sarah Wilson from Itchington, buried on 25th July 1832, aged sixty-six years.
Their children:
HANNAH WALKER, Great IV Aunt
Hannah was baptised on 23rd November 1788 at Rockhampton
On 12th January 1808 she gave birth to her daughter, Mary Ann.
On 31st January 1813 Baptism at Thornbury by R. Slade, Vicar, of Elizabeth, daughter of Hannah Wilson, Thornbury, single woman. No more references
On 27th January 1814 Hannah married William Walker at Thornbury the witnesses were Joseph Wilson and Anne Longden
William Walker was born 3rd September 1787, a base born child of Mary Walker, and baptised at Thornbury on 24th October.
On 22nd April 1832 Hannah and William Walker witnessed the marriage of her daughter, Ann Wilson, to Giles Hurn.
No more references to William or Hannah.
Hannah’s daughter, Mary Ann:
The baptism register, signed by W.H. Rickeles Bayley, an officiating minister, includes details of the christening of Laura Wilson, daughter of ‘Ann Wilson’ of Crossways on 1st May 1831.
Marriage of Giles Hurn and Ann Wilson on 22nd April 1832 at Thornbury
James, son of Giles and Anne Hurn, labourer of Crossways, baptised on 1st December 1833
Mr Darville buried Laura Hurn, aged four years, of Oldbury, on 17th October 1835, but ‘Laura Wilson’ has been added as a correction in the margin of the register.
Baptism of Laura Hurn, daughter of Giles and Ann Hurn of Oldbury, on 18th June 1837
1841 Census – Oldbury-on-Severn:
Giles aged 39, Ag Lab / Ann aged 30 / James aged 7 / Walter aged 4 months. (where is Laura?)
Burial of Laura Hurn of Oldbury on 24th April 1843 aged six
1851 Census – Oldbury Naite:
Giles aged 42, Ag Lab, Kingswood / Ann aged 43 Thornbury / Walter aged 10 scholar
1861 Census – Oldbury:
Giles aged 53, Shopkeeper and Ag Lab, Thornbury / Ann aged 53 / Annie, daughter in law, 22, born in Ireland / Walter, unmarried Ag Lab, 20, Thornbury
28th July 1887 at Tytherington – Marriage of Alberta Hurn, daughter of James Hurn to George Moxham.
1891 Census at Thornbury Farm, Itchington, Tytherington:
James Hurn, 57, Farmer / Annie 47, born Cork / Giles, aged 83, Father / Ann, aged 83, Mother
James Hurn, 26, Ag Lab / Bertha, aged 24, Tytherington / Walter, Uncle, aged 50, Ag Lab, Thornbury
Ann Hurn died on 6th January 1893 aged eighty-five years.
JOSEPH WILSON, Great IV Uncle
Joseph was born on 8th January 1791 and baptised on 30th January at Thornbury.
Joseph was co-habiting with Anne Longden by 1826. She was probably born on 10th May 1796, daughter of John and Hannah Longden and baptised on 10th July in the same year.
On 6th August 1826 Edwin Longden, son of Anne Longden of Crossways, was baptised at Thornbury by the Vicar. In 1861 Edwin was living with his father at Crossways, aged thirty-six, and listed as Edwin Wilson, an unmarried Agricultural Labourer. He was with his eighty-year-old father, at the time of the 1871 Census, both were Agricultural Labourers and living at the Knapp. Hester, listed as Edwin’s wife, was aged fifty-nine and from Hill. In 1881 Edwin and Hester were living alone at the Knapp. In 1901 we find Edwin as a Pauper Inmate at Thornbury Workhouse. By now he was a seventy-five-year-old Widower and working as a Stone Breaker on the roads. Edwin was buried on 12th May 1910, in the Workhouse Infirmary, aged eighty-five-years.
On 16th November 1828 Ellen, daughter of Joseph and Anne Wilson, Farmer of Crossways, was christened at Thornbury by Mr Darville, the Curate. The Vicar, Mr Stephens, added a note in the margin – ‘Not married – the mother’s name is Anne Longden.’ At the same time Ellen’s cousin, Laura, daughter of ‘Thomas and Anne Smith,’ Carpenter of Hill, was also baptised. On 17th April 1833 Ellen Longden, aged five years, from Crossways was buried by Mr. Darville.
On 8th August 1830 Mr Danville baptised Louisa, daughter of Anne Longden of Crossways. In 1841 Louisa Wilson was at home living with her father at Crossways, aged eleven.
On 19th June 1831 there is an intriguing entry in the Thornbury baptismal register. Augustus was christened by Mr Darville, the Curate, and his mother is listed as Anne Smith of Crossways and then this surname has been struck out and replaced with the surname Longden. The Bishop’s Transcript just has Augustus the son of Anne Longden of Crossways.
I am sure that this baby is the Augustus Smith who is listed with the Smith Family in the 1841 census and who drowned in 1845. His mother, Anne Longden, died in 1831 and I suspect that Thomas and Ann may have ‘adopted’ her nephew. Augustus Smith was aged ten years and living at home at the time of the 1841 census. In 1841 His parents were living at Compton Greenfield. Thomas was described as a thirty-two-year-old carpenter and his wife Ann was aged twenty-six years. The whole of the family were born in Gloucestershire. The children were listed as Agustus (sic) aged ten; Thos (sic) aged eight; Celea (sic) aged five and Elen (sic) aged two years. With them was Joseph Smith, aged twenty-five-years, an agricultural labourer, aged twenty-five-years, who only stayed one night. Augustus Smith probably died on 9th February 1845 at Redwick in Thornbury Union Registration District. He was described as a fifteen-year-old male, a servant in husbandry. He accidentally drowned in a pool of water. The informant was Mr Tysium Ellis, the Coroner at Berkeley. The death was registered on twenty-seventh of March 1845 by C. Powell, Register.
On 24th April 1834 Anne Longden, of Crossways, was buried by Mr. Danville aged thirty-four years. Her mother, Hannah, died on 23rd February 1837 in Thornbury aged sixty-five and her father, John Longden, died in the Poor House on 30th December 1841 aged seventy-two years.
1841 Census: Crossways, next door to his brother, Ephraim:
Joseph aged 50, Ag Lab / Louisa aged 11.
1851 Census: Moreton:
Joseph, 60, Widower
1861 Census: Crossways:
Joseph, aged 70, Ag Lab, Widower / Edwin, aged 36, Ag Lab, Son, Single
1871 Census: The Knapp:
Joseph, aged 80, Ag Lab / Edwin, aged 46 / Hester, aged 59, Hill.
April 21st 1880 Joseph Wilson of Crossways was buried aged 92 years.
SARAH GARLAND, Great IV Aunt
Sarah was born on 28th April 1793 and baptised on 26th May. On 24th August 1811 she married George Garland, by licence at Thornbury. The witnesses were Mary Williams and Joseph Wilson. Joseph, presumably her father, signed his name but Sarah could only make her mark.
Their children:
George Webb Garland was baptised on 4th September 1814 at Thornbury
Daniel Garland, baptised 29th December 1816
On 23rd January 1820 Jane Garland was baptised and her father George was described in the register as a labourer and the family was living in The Borough.
Mark Garland was baptised on 18th August 1822
Charlotte Garland was baptised on 8th January 1826
Thomas Garland was baptised on 3rd February 1830
No further references to the family…
GEORGE WILSON, Great IV Uncle
George was baptised on 8th November 1795.
George married Amelia Peglar at Thornbury on 12th March 1815. He was able to sign his name but Amelia made her mark.
In 1841 Census – Crossways:
George 45 / Amelia 50 / Eliza 20 / Thomas 13 / Ellen 11 / Jane 8
In 1851 Census – Tything of Kington:
George 55, Agricultural Labourer / Amelia 60 Wife / Amelia daughter 18.
George was buried at Thornbury on 10th July 1857 aged 61 years.
In 1861 Amelia Wilson, a seventy-three-year-old Widow and Pauper, was boarding with James Ford and his family, a shepherd of Gloucester Road, Thornbury.
Amelia Wilson of Thornbury was buried at Thornbury on 30th October 1870 aged eighty-two-years.
Their children:
Eliza was baptised on 10th June 1820 at Thornbury, daughter of George and Amelia Wilson, Labourer of Moreton.
Amelia was baptised on 8th January 1823 at Thornbury, daughter of George and Amelia
On 26th April 1847, at Thornbury, Amelia Wilson, daughter of George Wilson, Labourer, married James Strong of Henbury, son of William Strong, Labourer. The bride, bridegroom and a witness, Charles Wilson, all made their marks.
Charles Wilson, was baptised on 11th January 1827 at Thornbury, son of George and Amelia Wilson, Labourer of Oldbury Lane.
On 31st January 1850, at Thornbury, Charles Wilson of Oldbury, son of George Wilson, Labourer, married Hannah Lewis of Oldbury, daughter of Daniel Lewis, Labourer. Charles Wilson signed his name as did the witness, Thomas Wilson, his brother.
Thomas was baptised on 3rd February 1830 at Thornbury, son of George and Amelia Wilson, Labourer of Moreton.
Ellen was baptised on 22nd May 1830 at Thornbury, son of George and Amelia Wilson, Labourer of Moreton.
Jane was baptised on 5th April 1833 at Thornbury, daughter of George and Amelia Wilson, of Holbury (sic) Lane.
THOMAS WILSON, Great IV Uncle
Thomas was born on 12th November 1797 and baptised on 3rd December.
There are numerous criminal offences for a Thomas Wilson born in about 1799 in Gloucestershire. Is this him?
In the 1841 census a Thomas Wilson aged 45, an Agricultural Labourer was living at Sibland with his wife (?) Susan, aged forty.
On October 19th 1841 he was sentenced to 4 calendar months in Gloucester Gaol, Released February 19th 1842. Described as Farmer of Thornbury.
He may have been transported in 1843 for ten years …
JAMES WILSON, Great IV Uncle
James was born on 25th March 1800 and baptised on 20th April.
James may have married Elizabeth Pazzard at St James’s Bristol on 6th December 1824.
Ephraim Wilson was baptised on 26th February 1826 at Thornbury. On 2nd March 1845 he married Charlotte Parsons at Thornbury. In 1841 he was aged 15 and working in Limekiln Lane, St Augustine’s Bristol for Thomas Heaven, a Master Lumper. With him was his brother, Thomas, aged ten years. In 1851 Ephraim and Charlotte were living at Back Street, Thornbury, with their family. Ephraim was now a twenty-five-year-old Potato Haulier and Charlotte was listed as aged twenty and from Cheddar. With her was her son Henry Parsons, aged eleven, and also in residence was Ephraim’s sister, Hannah, aged 12. In the 1861 census Ephraim was listed as thirty-five-years-old and working as a Beer House Keeper and Potato Dealer of St Mary’s Street, Thornbury. His wife was now thirty-nine and their daughter, Annie, aged three years. Ephraim was buried at Thornbury on 5th July 1863 aged thirty-seven-years.
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson, Farmer of Crossways, was baptised at Thornbury on 25th December 1828. On 24th November 1850 Elizabeth, daughter of James Wilson, Farmer, married John Calf, a Mariner, son of John Calf, Inn Keeper. The witnesses were Charlotte Wilson who made her mark and Ephraim Wilson who signed.
July 11th 1830. Baptism of Thomas, son of James and Elizabeth of Crossways at Thornbury. In 1851 Thomas Wilson, aged 22, was an agricultural labourer and lodging at Severn Bank. See above for 1841 census. On 17th January 1859 Thomas Wilson, a Private in the Royal Artillery, son of James Wilson, Labourer, married Anne Marie Camm, daughter of Joseph Camm, a Carpenter, at Thornbury. Ephraim Wilson signed as a Witness.
6th May 1832, Susan daughter of James and Elizabeth, Farmer of Crossways. Susan died at Crossways and was buried on 2nd March 1835 aged two years and nine months.
December 27th 1833, Baptism of James, son of James and Elizabeth, Labourer of Crossways. He was buried on 5th January 1833 aged three weeks.
Sarah Jane Wilson was baptised on 2nd April 1837 at Thornbury. She was described as the daughter of James and Elizabeth, Labourer of Crossways.
On 26th February 1840 Hannah, daughter of James and Elizabeth Wilson of Crossways was baptised at Thornbury. 1851 she was living with her brother, James, aged 12 years.
August 1st 1840 Baptism of James, son of James and Elizabeth, Farmer of Crossways. He was buried on 11th October 1840, aged four months. From Crossways.
In 1841 James was Farming at Crossways. He was aged 40 and Elizabeth aged about 30. Children included Joseph aged 14, Elizabeth aged 1, Jane aged 3 and Hannah aged 2.
November 27th 1848. Baptism of Sarah Anne, daughter of James and Elizabeth of Grovesend, Huckster. She was buried on 7th December aged 10 days.
December 2nd 1849, the baptisms of George and James, sons of James and Elizabeth, labourer of Grovesend.
James Wilson was buried on 1st February 1852 aged fifty-one years.
EPHRAIM WILSON, Great IV Uncle
Ephraim was born on 26th April 1801 and baptised at Thornbury on 17th May.
He suffered from Smallpox
6th March 1824 First Offence – Using a dog to kill hares in Thornbury on Sunday 29th February. Fined £10.
1st April 1825 that on 17th March 1825 Used two dogs to kill game. Mitigated fine of £10.
On November 5th 1827 Ephraim, aged 26, was found guilty of poaching on the Earl of Liverpool’s estate on 4th November with George Longden, aged 23. Sentenced on 15th January 1828 to a year of hard labour at Horsley House of Correction.
Ephraim was described at Horsley as having ‘light brown hair, light grey eyes, rather wide nose, several small moles on his neck, very much marked with the Smallpox, a large mole under the left breast and a small mole below breast, a large scar on the thick of left hand, scar on left elbow, a scar near right hand … Labourer, 5 feet eight and a quarter inches.
Ephraim married Hannah Pearce on 24th November 1829 at Thornbury by Mr Darville. Both bride and bridegroom made their marks and also Anne Wilson, witness.
On 29th January 1834 Mr Darville baptised Philip, son of Ephraim and Hannah Wilson, Labourer of Moreton.
On 24th December 1840 an Ephraim Wilson was found guilty of riding on his waggon in the turnpike road for which he received 14 days in Lawford’s Gate Prison or a fine of ten shillings and seven shillings costs.
In 1841 census they were living at Crossways:
Ephraim, 40, Ag Lab / Hannah aged 30 / Anthony 11 / John 3 / Philip 1
On 31st January 1847 Leonard, son of Ephraim and Hannah Wilson, of Kingsdown, a Labourer, was baptised at St James’s Church, Bristol.
In 1851 census – Dalton Court, St Andrew’s Bristol:
Anne 43 / Anthony, 21, Mason / Philip, 21, Mason / Ephraim, 10 / Leonard, 5 Rebecca, 1 – all born at Moreton, Thornbury. On the night of the census Ephraim, aged 50, was labouring in Merton, Surrey and staying in lodgings at Oakman’s Buildings.
In 1861 census at 1 Oatfield Place, St Barnabas Parish, Bristol:
Ephraim, 59, Tailor / Hannah, 51 / Philip, 20, Mason / Ephraim, 18, Tailor / Leonard, 15, Ag Lab, Jacob’s Wells / Rebecca, 11, St Paul’s
Ephraim Wilson of Bristol was buried at Thornbury on 28th February 1864 at Thornbury aged 62 years.
HESTER WILSON, Great IV Aunt
Hester was baptised on 18th March 1803.
No further details
ANN WILSON, Great III Grandmother
Daughter of Joseph Wilson and Sarah, nee Gazard
Common Law Wife of Thomas Smith I
Mother of Thomas Smith II
Also Mother of Infant Laura, (? Augustus), Celia Andrews, Ellen Keel and Emma
Ann Wilson was born on 12th January 1808 and baptised at Thornbury on 21st February in the same year. She was probably the youngest daughter of Joseph and Sarah Smith of Filner. However, there is a slim possibility that she was, Mary Ann, the ‘base born’ daughter of Ann’s eldest sister, Hannah, and if so Hannah was ‘delivered nearly at the same hour with her mother.’ Both babies were baptised at the same ceremony.
Joseph Wilson was a husbandman and he made a full will in 1820 providing for his widow and their children. In this will he lists them all by name and makes special provision for the youngest child, Ann, whom he refers to as ‘Nancy’.
Hannah, the eldest daughter, was nearly forgotten in her father’s will and her name is added in over the line. On 27th January 1814, Hannah Wilson married William Walker at Thornbury. He was probably the illegitimate son of Mary Walker, born on 3rd September 1787 and baptised on 24th October.
In trying to unravel Ann (Nancy) from Mary Ann her niece is not easy. However, on 22nd April 1832 an Ann Wilson married Giles Hurn at Thornbury. Significantly, the witnesses to their marriage were William and Hannah Walker and all four parties could only make their mark. This may indicate that the Walkers were witnesses because the bride was Hannah’s daughter, however, it could be argued that she was witness because the bride was her youngest sister.
Assuming that Ann was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah, we can see that she would have been only twelve-years-old when her father died. Presumably, her mother was the Sarah Wilson who was buried from Grovesend, aged sixty-six, on 25th July 1832.
Ann Wilson was probably co-habiting with Thomas Smith at Crossways by the time of the birth of their first child, Laura. On 16th November 1828 Laura, daughter of ‘Thomas and Anne Smith,’ Carpenter of Hill, was baptised at Thornbury by Mr Darville, the Curate. At the same time Ellen, daughter of Joseph and Anne Wilson, Farmer of Crossways, was also christened. The Vicar, Mr Stephens, added a note in the margin – ‘Not married – the mother’s name is Anne Longden.’ Joseph Wilson was a brother of Ann Wilson.
The burial register at Thornbury reveals that baby Laura died nine months later and was buried on July 12th 1829. This time Mr Stephens, the Vicar, signed the register and the entry refers to ‘Laura Wilson’ of Crossways. Thomas and Ann were clearly not married and the Vicar and Curate seem to be dealing with their situation in conflicting ways!
On 19th June 1831 there is an intriguing entry in the Thornbury baptismal register. Augustus was christened by Mr Darville, the Curate, and his mother is listed as Anne Smith of Crossways and then this surname has been struck out and replaced with the surname Longden. The Bishop’s Transcript just has Augustus the son of Anne Longden of Crossways. I am sure that this baby is the Augustus Smith who is listed with the Smith Family in the 1841 census and who drowned in 1845. His mother, Anne Longden, died in 1831 and I suspect that Thomas and Ann may have ‘adopted’ her nephew.
On 13th October 1833 Mr. Darville, the Curate, conducted a further baptism at Thornbury, this time for baby Thomas and, once again, he is entered him in the register as the son of ‘Thomas and Anne Smith’, Carpenter of Crossways. On the following day the Curate also baptised Thomas’s cousin, Philip, son of a labourer and his wife, Ephraim and Hannah Wilson, of Duckhole,
On 4th February 1838 Mr Darville baptised Celia at Thornbury and, yet again, he refers to her as being the daughter of ‘Thomas and Anne Smith,’ Carpenter of Crossways. According to the Parish Register he also christened John the son of Ann’s brother, Ephraim Wilson, Labourer of Crossways, and his wife, Hannah, but the Bishop’s Transcript shows Celia’s baptism as taking place two days later on the 6th.
I have yet to find a baptism for their son Augustus or even a late marriage for Thomas and Ann so the next reference to them seems to be in Compton Greenfield where the family was certainly living by the beginning of 1839.
Ellen Smith was born on 18th January 1839 at Compton Greenfield. Her parents were described on her birth certificate as Thomas Smith, carpenter, and Ann Smith, formerly Wilson. Her mother registered her on 12th February 1839 and she made her mark. Ellen Smith was baptised on 3rd February 1839 at the Church of All Saints in Compton Greenfield.
Emma was born at Compton on 13th November 1841 and was described on her birth certificate as the daughter of Thomas Smith and Ann Smith, formerly Wilson. Her mother registered the birth on 11th January 1842 and she made her mark.
Emma, daughter of Thomas and Anne Smith, was baptised at All Saints, Compton Greenfield on 2nd January 1842.
In 1841 Thomas and Ann were living at Compton Greenfield. Thomas was described as a thirty-two-year-old carpenter and his wife Ann was aged twenty-six years. The whole of the family were born in Gloucestershire. The children were listed as Agustus (sic) aged ten; Thos (sic) aged eight; Celea (sic) aged five and Elen (sic) aged two years. With then was Joseph Smith, aged twenty-five-years, an agricultural labourer, aged twenty-five-years, who only stayed one night.
Ann Smith died on 24th September 1842 at Compton in the Clifton Union Registration District, Westbury and Henbury sub district. She was described as thirty (could be read as thirty-eight), wife of Thomas Smith, Labourer and the cause of death was given as ‘Decline’. The witness was Augustus Smith of Compton who made his mark. and an Ann Smith was buried at Compton Greenfield on September 29th 1842 aged twenty-nine-years.
