In Search Of Something – Page 3

Where Was Temple Row ~ Near Boreham Farm, Warminster?

Friday 20th February 2015

Judy Dunkley (nee Witchell) writes ~

“Hi Danny,
I’ve just come across your website when trying to find information about Boreham Farm. It’s really interesting!

My ancestor g g grandfather- William WITCHELL and family lived in Smallbrook Lane in 1871; you have a list of their names on there.

They also lived at 48 Temple Row in 1881, the census shows it was quite near to Boreham Farm, Boreham Villa and Heronslade. He was an ag lab probably very poor, was in the workhouse twice.

I’ve looked at old maps at the Records office in Chippenham but Temple Row isn’t named.

We decided the houses/cottages as they probably would have been may have been named by Mr Temple.

I wonder if you know where these houses may have been? And which school the children may have attended in 1880’s?
Thank you.”

Danny Howell replies ~

Hello Judy Dunkley,
Thank you for your email. Pleased to hear from you!

The row of cottages at Boreham, Warminster, known as Temple Row, were named after the Temple family, Lords of the Manor.

The name Temple Row is now almost forgotten, and the cottages were renumbered 153, 155 and 157 Boreham Road, Warminster.

In recent years, number 155 was made into two homes, now numbered 155a and 155b, with the cottage names Riverview and Well Cottage respectively. (155b has a well in its back garden which can still be seen – restored as a feature – today).

Nos. 153 and 157 just remain as numbered homes with no cottage names.

You can see photos of how the row of cottages (formerly known as Temple Row) now look by clicking on these links to my website:

http://www.dannyhowell.net/2015/01/nos-153-155a-155b-157-boreham-road.html

http://www.dannyhowell.net/2014/08/nos153-155a-and-155b-boreham-road.html

These cottages were indeed where some of the staff of the neighbouring Boreham Farm lived.

No.153 was where the dairyman for Boreham Farm lived. There is a door in the garden wall to the rear of this cottage which gave access to a small building known as The Dairy. The dairy building has since been demolished. No doubt it was where the dairyman brought milk from the farm to be processed in some way.

Boreham Farm, I guess you know, stood on what is now St. George’s Playing Field on the opposite side of Woodcock Road, just round the corner from Temple Row. The farmhouse and the farm buildings and yard were demolished c.1968. There is an aerial view of Boreham Farm on my website, click on:

http://www.dannyhowell.net/1970/08/boreham-farm-warminster-in-mid-1960s.html

Temple Row is not on the aerial photo but just off the lower right corner of the photo.

I think I’m right in saying that although the row of cottages have had tiled roofs for many years, in your g g grandfather’s day they were thatched.

I think I’m right in saying too that Boreham Farm was farmed by the Beaven family in the 1870s. In 2012, Barbara Mulligan (in New Zealand) and David Cuthbert produced a book called Lives Well Lived, which concentrates on Arthur Ward Beaven who emigrated to New Zealand, having become an engineer. The book features a chapter about Boreham Farm and how it was farmed. It is/was available in the UK. The ISBN for the book is 9780473222390.

With regard your question about schools, there were two, both about the same distance from Temple Row, in existence in the 1880s. There was a school in Bishopstrow, the adjacent village to the south. Bishopstrow School is no longer a school but the building survives as Bishopstrow Village Hall. And to the west along Boreham Road, next to St. John’s Church, was St. John’s School, Boreham. St. John’s School is still operating today. The original school building still stands but recently new classrooms were built in the grounds to the rear,

There is a photo of St.John’s School, Boreham Road, Warminster, on my website, click on:

http://www.dannyhowell.net/2012/10/st-johns-school.html

I hope this information answers your questions.”

In Search Of Plott And Petershill In Longbridge Deverill And Crockerton

Tuesday 13th January 2015

Jane Whatley writes ~

Dear Danny, I have been tracing my husband’s family tree and his ancestors came from Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire. His great-great Grandfather, Paul Whatley, born 1825, married Ann Cooper. The 1851 census records them living in Sand Street, Longbridge Deverill. Paul’s father was John, born 1799 and who married Elizabeth Parker. The 1841 census recorded him living in Plott, South Damerham, Longbridge Deverill. John’s father William Whatley (1776-1856) married Mary Crofts in 1796. The 1841 census shows them living in Petershill, South Damerham, Longbridge Deverill.

Paul, John and William Whatley were all agricultural labourers so I guess these places were connected to farms near Longbridge Deverill. As we are planning to visit the village I wonder if you would be able to shed any light on where these places were in relation to the village as it is today.

I have traced back further – William’s son Silas (1751) married Phoebe Millard in Longbridge Deverill. Silas’ father was Ambrose Whatley who was baptised 9.11.1726 in Longbridge Deverill and he married Prudence Dex (1719-1789). His father was also called Ambrose and he married Elizabeth Crofts on 5.6.1723. However I have found it difficult to go further back owing to the lack of records online. Would a visit to the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham help me to trace back further?

Any help you are able to provide will be very much appreciated.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you Jane for your enquiry. To answer your questions:

South Damerham is not a specific place in the village of Longbridge Deverill. In fact, it’s the other way round. South Damerham was the name of a hundred ~ an adminstrative division or geographical area within a county or shire ~ which in this instance comprised Christian Malford, Compton Chamberlayne, Damerham, Grittleton, Kingston Deverill, Kington Langley, Kington St. Michael, Longbridge Deverill, Nettleton, and Toyd Farm with Allenford.

Plott, I am certain, was the old former name for what has been since at least 1850 to the present day known as Sand Street in the village of Longbridge Deverill. Sand Street runs east, from the crossroads (with the A350) by the George Inn in Longbridge Deverill, and forms part of what was the B3095 to Sutton Veny (this stretch of road is now no longer part of the B3095, having been declassified).

Petershill. I think this is a misreading of Poter’s Hill, which is now known and spelt as Potter’s Hill. Potter’s Hill is not in Longbridge Deverill but in the neighbouring village of Crockerton. Longbridge Deverill and Crockerton are two separate residential villages today but years ago Crockerton was only a hamlet within Longbridge Deverill. Potter’s Hill occupies the area around what is the present-day Crockerton Primary School in the village of Crockerton.

With regard your question: “Would a visit to the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham help me to trace back further?” I should say probably yes. The Record Office at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, the last time I checked, had the parish records for Longbridge Deverill going back to 1682 [41 years before your known marriage of Ambrose Whatley and Elizabeth Crofts in 1723], and Bishop’s Transcripts for Longbridge Deverill for 1607 and 1622 [which might have Whatley mentions]. You could always phone the History Centre first to confirm they hold these documents. Telephone 01249 705500 or email: heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk

Info Sought Regarding Henry And Chloe Wonsey (nee Perry)

Monday 29th December 2014

Rex Wonsey, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, writes ~

Hello,
Any info regarding a Henry & Chloe Wonsey (Wansey) – 1760’s.
Thanks!
Rex Wonsey.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you Rex for your enquiry.

Presuming you mean Henry and Chloe Wansey, who lived in Massachusetts, USA. Don’t think we can add anything further to what information already exists on the internet which suggests that Chloe (surname Perry) was born 3rd November 1762 at Barnstable, USA and that she married Henry Wonsey at Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts, USA, circa 1782. Chloe Wonsey died at Spencerport, New York, USA, on 18th October 1821.

William And Alice Elling (Nee Cooke) And Their Children: Lewis George Elling, Lilian Kate Elling And Charles William Elling

Monday 29th December 2014

Jodie Woodward, of Brisbane, Australia, writes ~

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to enquire whether you would be able to provide me with some assistance with obtaining some information for my family tree. I recently have had discussions with my Grandparents and my grandmother is most interested in finding out more information about her family. Unfortunately she only has the one picture of her mother but I have been able to obtain some other details.

Lilian Kate Elling – my grandmother thought her birthdate was the 2/1/1892, however I believe it may have been 1894. I have found that she was christened at the St Deny’s church on the 11/2/1894, with her parents noted as William and Alice Elling.

I have read through your articles on your website and note that many of them relate to the Ellings. Any information or photos you have would be wonderful.
Many thanks.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you Jodie. I think I’m right in saying that:

William Elling (born circa 1862) married Alice Cooke (born circa 1871) at St. Martin’s, Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 16th February 1889. Alice was born at Winterborne Gunner, Wiltshire.

William Elling died aged 33/34. His death was registered at Warminster in July/August/September 1895.

Alice Elling (nee Cooke) remarried in 1898. She married Charles Jefferies. The marriage was registered during the quarter January/February/March 1898.

William and Alice Elling had three children:
Lewis George Elling (born 1892), Lilian Kate Elling (born 1894) and Charles William Elling (born 1895).

The 1901 Census records Alice Jefferies (previously Elling, nee Cooke) living at Chitterne Road, Codford, Wiltshire. She was then aged 30 and was listed as the head of the household and married. Her husband Charles Jefferies was not resident at the family home at the time of the census. Recorded with Alice were her three children: Lewis, aged 9; Lilian, aged 7; and Charles, aged 5. Living with them is George Cook(e), boarder, not married, aged 37, shepherd on farm, born Little Langford, Wiltshire.

Lewis George Elling was baptised at Warminster on 8th May 1892. The 1901 Census records him living at Chitterne Road, Codford, then aged 9. The 1911 Census records him living at 9 Hilperton Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, with the occupation of motor car driver. In 1911 he enlisted in the Army. He died, aged 25, at Flanders, France, on 21st October 1917. He was a Sapper and was killed in action.

Lilian Kate Elling was baptised at Warminster on 11th February 1894. The 1901 Census records her living with her mother and two brothers at Codford. The 1911 Census records Lilian working as a housemaid (among many servants) at the Palace Lodge, The Cathedral Close, Salisbury Wiltshire. Lilian married Jack W. Cox at Warminster. The marriage was registered during January/February/March 1919.

Charles William Elling was born October 1895. The 1901 Census records him living with his mother, his brother and his sister at Codford. Charles died, aged 23. His death was registered at Warminster during 1919.

Are You A Relative Or Were You A Friend Of Katrina Wheelans Who Lived In Warminster? If You Knew Her Please Contact The Police

Tuesday 23rd December 2014

The Police and the Wiltshire Coroner are trying to trace family members or friends of a Warminster resident who died at the beginning of December.

Katrina Wheelans, who was 76, died at her home in Warminster on 5th December 2014. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Katrina lived alone but is believed to have friends or relatives in Sydney and Melbourne and police are appealing for them to come forward.

Anyone who knew Katrina Wheelans is asked to contact audrey.rheinberg@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk

Information Sought On Eight Day Clocks With Similar Features By Edward Cockey Of Warminster

Wednesday 3rd December 2014

H. John Powell writes ~

Dear Danny Howell,
In the late 1960s I bought an Edward Cockey eight day longcase clock at a house sale in Cheltenham. Arthur Negus asked me if I knew how to remove the pendulum. I knew how to do it as my mother had a longcase clock. The clock had had a hard life. The case was not original, the hour hand was broken and the minute hand was the wrong pattern. The movement needed renovation, but the clock only cost me £23.

The clock has a five pillar movement with locking plate striking. The dial is twelve inch and has an arch with a penny moon. The outer border of the dial has a herring bone pattern. There are garlands engraved under the second hand dial and two Ho Ho birds are pecking at a cornucopia. In the last year I have had the movement and dial restored by a professional restorer in Cheltenham. Paul Seccony of Wiltshire Clocks, thinks it was made about 1730.

Circa 1970 I borrowed a copy of “Somerset Clockmakers,” by Bellchambers from Cheltenham and became aware of the astronomical clocks made by Edward Cockey. Soon after it was published I obtained a copy of “The Astronomical Clockmaker Edward Cockey and Other Warminster Horologists.” About two months ago I looked at the website for Wiltshire Clocks and saw an Edward Cockey clock for sale. On looking at my copy of the book with which you were very much involved, I saw on page 58 the dial of a clock that appeared to be an identical clock. After some research I discovered that it was the same clock which had been sold at Bath by Gardiner Houlgate in February 2012. As the clock had all the features of a clock made about 1700 to 1710 I decided to buy it from Paul Seccony. I have not been able to find a similar clock dial on internet images. However, I have a copy of “Clockmaking Past and Present,” by G. F. C. Gordon published by Crosby Lockwood & Son, London 1925. Facing page 94 is a photograph of a ten inch dial by Edward Cockey, Warminster (giving the style about 1710).

The photograph shows a dial very similar to the clock I have recently bought from Wiltshire Clocks. It shows the same spandrels, the same narrow minute band, the Tudor rose, the same half hour markers and the same engraving of lilies between the spandrels.

Disregarding the astronomical clocks, I would be very interested to know if you have seen any other eight day clocks with similar features by Edward Cockey.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you Mr. Powell for your enquiry. I have asked David Pollard, author of the book: The Astronomical Clockmaker Edward Cockey and Other Warminster Horologists, to reply to you, as he is our local expert on Edward Cockey clocks. And of course, if any readers of this website, have any knowledge of eight day clocks with similar features by Edward Cockey, I will be much obliged if they care to get in touch (email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com)

The Wilkins Family Of Westbury Leigh, Dilton, Chapmanslade And North Bradley ~ Confirming The Relationship Of Benjamin Wilkins With William Wilkins And John Wilkins

Wednesday 3rd December 2014

Peter Relph, from Herberton, North Queensland, Australia, writes ~

Hello Danny,
I am descended from the Wilkins family of Baptists from Westbury Leigh, Dilton, Chapmanslade, North Bradley and surrounds. I have lots of Baptist ancestors but no personal religion, my interest is in genealogy.

My 3 x gt grandparents were Benjamin Wilkins, pastor of North Bradley and Mary nee Hill of Upton Scudamore. Benjamin had two ancestors that I would like to relate to him definitively, William ?1685 – 1745 and William’s son John ? – 1761, both successively pastors of the Baptist church Westbury Leigh. I have this information from William Doel’s ” Twenty Golden Candlesticks!” and from Benjamin’s son Joseph who was Baptist minister in Brighton.

I am unsure of just how many generations separate Benjamin from William and John. Benjamin’s parents were Anthony Wilkins and Ann Baber, but I am not sure if Anthony’s father was the above mentioned John who died in 1761, or if there was an intervening generation. Any help would be most appreciated.

Danny Howell replies ~

Thank you Peter for your enquiry. I will check through records to see if we can confirm the relationship between Benjamin Wilkins, William Wilkins and John Wilkins. And, if any readers of this website have information, will they please let me know; contact can be made by email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com

In Search Of The Descendants Of The Kimber Family From The Swindon Area

Sunday 9th November 2014

Maree Harvey, from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, writes ~

I am researching the wedding of our Grandfather Thomas Robert Lee (Australian Imperial Force WWI) to Annie Kimber, born in Swindon. Their marriage was in the Church of England, Warminster, Wiltshire, in the parish Church of Warminster (according to the Military records of The Australian Imperial Forces).

Our Grandfather was an Australian who enlisted in WWI. With so much interest in the upcoming celebrations of WWI we would like to find out more information while at the same time we would also like to trace our close family relatives if they are still living in the area. As our Grandparents were married in your area, and we are not sure which Church of England., can you identify what Church would have been indicated on the copy of Marriage Certificate.

Then they left almost immediately and returned to Australia, and all trace of Annie Kimber’s family was lost to us.

We are led to believe Annie Kimber was from Swindon, England. If Swindon is near you please let us know, as our relatives could be living near there. Annie had an older sister Kate Kimber and a younger sister Bessie Kimber (from our research, as indicated on the England Census. England Census Records dated 1911 indicates the names of Annie Kimber’s immediate family, Mother Elizabeth Kimber and Father Thomas Kimber and older sister Kate Kimber and younger sister Bessie Kimber.

The scanned wedding photo shows two bridesmaids and we are wondering if the bridesmaids may be Annie Kimber’s sisters. Annie Kimber’s sisters may have married and then changed their names, which makes our research a little harder to trace them now. We would certainly like to trace any children of the original Kimber family from your area. If you can help we would be grateful. Please let me know if any cost is incurred.If you can please scan and send a copy of any marriage Certificates or Church records of the Kimber family. This would be of great help for my research.

You may also be able to shed some light on the building behind the wedding party in the photo, as the building has words on the brick and block work on the front of the building – the words are HOLME LEIGH. Would it be a local building?

Please feel free to pass on my email to any one of interest in this matter, as we would like to make contact with our close family in England, and exchange information and photos.

Danny Howell replies ~

Re: Thomas Robert Lee / Annie Kimber.

Annie Kimber was the daughter of Thomas Kimber (1844-1920) and Elizabeth Choules Kimber (nee Winchcombe) (1866-1953). In the 1911 Census the Kimber family are living at Badbury, near Swindon.

Thomas Lee and Annie Kimber married at the Parish Church of St. Denys, The Minster, Warminster, and the marriage was registered during the quarter July August September 1919.

Annie was from the Swindon area (born at Chiseldon in 1899) and Thomas was serving with the Australian Imperial Force. He was, no doubt, stationed at Sutton Veny Camp (two miles from Warminster) in 1919.

They went to live in Australia. From what I can see online, Annie died in 1930. and Thomas remarried, to Florence Leila Ruby Pearl Sails Alexandra Eldridge, in Queensland, in 1931.

Thomas Lee (born in Warialda, New South Wales, in 1893) died on 19th March 1960.

Re: Holme Leigh house in the photo. I don’t think this is in Warminster. More likely in the Swindon area.

Bearing in mind that Thomas Lee was from Australia, and Annie Kimber from the Swindon area (Chiseldon / Badbury), and that they left soon after their marriage to live in Australia, I don’t think much else is going to be gleaned about them in Warminster.

With regard other Kimber descendants, and the reference to Annie having sisters called Bessie and Kate, but you not knowing their married names, records for the Swindon area show:

Marriage of a Bessie Kimber (born 1902), to Willie R. Larkham, marriage registered during April May June 1925, Swindon.

Marriage of a Kate Kimber, to someone with the surname Shillsbear, marriage registered during July August September 1919, Swindon.

These may, or may not be, Annie Kimber’s sisters.

Your quest to find descendants of the Kimber family, is tied to Swindon (not Warminster). Maybe a Swindon newspaper obituary for Elizabeth Kimber (Annie’s mother) in 1953 would show a list of family mourners or names on family wreaths. And, of course, parish records for the Swindon area, are no doubt lodged at the Wiltshire And Swindon Record Office, in Chippenham.

Friday 21st November 2014

Reply from Maree Harvey ~

Dear Danny,
I have found the Kimber family children and grandchildren. Thanks to you for the clue I have found the family of our Grandmother Annie Kimber from Swindon.

As you mentioned in your correspondence, Annie’s two sisters married ~

One older sister Kate married a Sam Shillsbear, and her son John Shillsbear still lives in Surrey with his wife Christine. John is in his 80s.

And Annie’s younger sister Bessie married Willie R. Larkham, and her son Terry has passed away but Terry’s wife Janet Larkham is still alive and lives in Bruce Road, Swindon. Janet is coming up to be 76 years. I could tell that she is a lovely lady and most cooperative. I found her phone number off the International Exchange and I phoned her. Janet Larkham was able to tell me the history of the Kimber family to date and she also put me in contact with John Shillsbear in Surrey, giving me his address.

I will pass on photos of our families lost for all these generations after WWI.

Many thanks Danny for your interest.

Stuart Wants Bryn Edwards To Get In Touch ~ Bryn May Live Or At One Time Lived In Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Friday 31st October 2014

Two days ago, we featured Stuart Foley’s enquiry about Emanuel Dowdall, and by way of a reply we mentioned a reference by Bryn Edwards on Roots Web, with an email address for Bryn.

Stuart now writes ~ “Bryn and I have got to be related. I have sent him an email but it failed to connect. If Bryn should read this, or someone who knows Bryn reads this, please can they contact me. My email address is stuartfoley@tiscali.co.uk “

We think that Bryn lives or at one time lived in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.

In Search Of Emanuel Dowdall Of Warminster, Prior To 1871

Wednesday 29th October 2014

Stuart Foley writes ~

Hi,
I’m trying to trace Emanuel Dowdall. He came from Warminster, Wiltshire, England: date of birth about 1858. I have worked back to the 1871 Census: He is at: Crockerton road, Longbridge Deverill, at the age of 15, as a boarder, agricultural labourer, and there’s a girl, at the age of 12, silk weaver, as a boarder as well, no relation. What I’ve read on the workhouse was children were often boarded out two per family max unless siblings? So, where can I go to find him with no mum or dad names? Where do I turn next? Workhouse records 1858- 1873? And where would I find them? Help!

Danny Howell replies ~

The Register of Baptisms for the Parish Church of St. Denys, The Minster, Warminster, includes the baptism of “Immanuel Dowdell”. He was baptised on 4th April 1858. The Register also records that he was born on 25th June 1855. His mother’s name is recorded as Ann Dowdell. The father’s name is not recorded.

At the same time, another child, George Dowdell, son of Ann Dowdell, was baptised too. Again, the father’s name was not recorded. George Dowdell’s date of birth was recorded as 24th November 1852.

I would draw your attention to this online reference on the Roots Web website ~

From: Bryn Edwards BrynBrunt@bigfoot.com
Subject: DOWDELL – Wiltshire area – 1850’s
Date: 31 Aug 1998 07:44:23 -0700
I posted my enquiry about Emanuel DOWDEL a week or so ago – I am researching the DOWDEL name (later to become DOWDALL) in the 1850’s in the Wiltshire area.
My G.Grandfather was Emmanuel Dowdel, born on the 25 June 1855 at Pound Street in Warminster. His mother was shown as Ann Dowdel, formerly Martin – the fathers name was not shown.
I have tried to find the marriage of Ann Martin to a Mr. Dowdel around this time (at St. Catherines House, including the IGI index) – but was unsuccessful. I then applied to the Registrar in Bridgwater, but she could find no trace of the wedding around the 1854 area – but required the specific church to enable her to produce the certificate, which I do not have. I then searched the census of 1851 + 1861 in Warminster, but could not find any further details.
I received several useful tips – thank you all for that – but one thing did crop up. There were others who had noticed MISSING RECORDS at that time in Wiltshire. (Certainly, the birth details of Emanuel DOWDEL was not shown at St. Caths., but was readily available from the Warminster Registrar). Being fairly new to this game, I presume that this is a common problem???? I presume that there is no answer to this – but to carry on grafting?!
Bryn BrynBrunt@bigfoot.com

http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/GENBRIT/1998-08/0904574663