From Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal  2 January 1813:

A list of Prisoners from the Port of Bristol confined in Depots in France, October last, 1812, by a gentleman who has been so active in procuring subscriptions for their relief.

LONGWY:

George COOPER, John LEE, John JONES, Stephen LEY, William OKE, Joseph SILCOCK, Thomas OSWALD, Edward ESCOTT, Samuel GRAVES, John ROWLES, John RYAN, William SMITH, Francis MINNITT, John SUMMERS. John Pardo KING,  William STOREY, William GARDNER.

GIVET

John WOOD, John BROCK,  John OWEN, Abraham NICHOLAS, James SULLIVAN, William PRUST, Joseph HERANS

SAIRE LOUIS

John GARDNER, William DAVIS, Edward COGGIN, William COGGIN,  William CROWSHAW, John ROBSON, John EVANS, John BAKER, John EDFORD,  David SMITH, Thomas ANMORE.

ARRAS

Charles HARRIS, John BOSHER, Thomas BROOKES, George MORGAN, Charles BENNETT, William JENKINS, William RICHARDS, Henry LAWRENCE

SEDAN

Thomas ALLEN

CAMBRAI

James JENKINS, John QUARMAN, Thomas HUNT, John ROBINSON, William BURGES, Michael HAYES, Thomas DENDALL,  Henry NICHOLAS, Stephen READ, William WILLIAMS.

In 1809 there was great rejoicing when Mr Midshipman MANSEL, RN, aged 19, a son of the Bishop of Bristol was reunited with his father after being a POW in France for more than five years. Church bells were rung and cannons discharged. (Bury & Norwich Post 22.3.1809)

It is believed that the total number of English prisoners in France was possibly between 20,000 and 25,000, of whom many were travellers and temporary residents detained on the outbreak of war. Presumably this was for the duration of the wars as in 1806 it was estimated that there were some 18,000 French prisoners in this country (of whom not a few were kept in abject conditions at Stapleton) whilst there were under 7,000 English prisoners in France. Officers of the Army and Navy, masters and mates of merchant-men, passengers and others, were all admitted to parole in France under certain restrictions. In some cases those on parole were allowed to return to England: for instance, Rev Mr Crawford, sometime a POW in France arrived Portsmouth in order to carry out some business with regards to his church “living” (Morning Post 26.11.1803). Likewise Lord Barrington was granted permission to return to England (Ipswich Journal 12.5.1804); Capt Leveson Gower, MP for Truro was exchanged for a French officer, General Boyer. (Morning Post 21.11.1804).

English prisoners, both those admitted to parole and those doomed to personal confinement, were sent to fortified towns far in the interior, in some cases even under the shadow of the Pyrenees, in order that the distance from the coast might reduce to the minimum their opportunities of escape. Yet, in spite of this, not a few did contrive to reach England after many hardships and dangers. One such was Captain Goodall who made his escape by swimming across the Rhine and took 30 days to travel from Parish to England. (Bury & Norwich Post, 9.11.1803)

This is a fascinating topic and one to which I intend to return. If you have come across any Napoleonic POWs in your family research please contact me.

It’s a great name. Some time ago I tried to find the birth/baptism records of Alexander Falconbridge “born ca 1760 to a family with Bristol connections”.  According to the Editor of “The Narrative of Two Voyages to the River Sierra Leone During the Years 1791-1792-1793", (see below) he was, like his wife, born in Bristol. If this is the case I would be delighted if anybody could produce a baptismal record! Falconbridge is well known as an abolitionist and author (“An Account of the Slave Trade on the West of Africa” [1788]) and as Thomas Clarkson’s guide in Bristol when he came to the City to gather evidence for the abolition of the trade, but his ancestry to the time of writing remains elusive.

Valerie Price-Currer of New South Wales is a descendant of the Falconbridge family and would dearly like to make the connection between her ancestors and “the famous Alex”. She says “When Falconbridge gave evidence to the British Parliamentary Committee, it appears he had “spent a year studying medicine at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1779-1780, but financially unable to set up a medical practice he signed on as a slave ship surgeon and went on four voyages to Africa. Becoming increasingly disillusioned with what he saw and experienced Alexander left the trade in 1787 to work as a pupil with a Bristol Doctor. It was around this time that he met up with members of the growing abolitionist movement, and Thomas Clarkson seems to have held him in high regard. Alexander spent the year 1779-1780 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, too poor at this time to start a medical practice, he signed on as surgeon on slave ships.  He left in disgust in 1787 and worked as a pupil with a Bristol Doctor. It was at this time that he became interested in the abolitionist movement and met Thomas Clarkson.”

I have been unable to find the primary sources for the above which is repeated over again in a number of books. To Clarkson he was able bodyguiard, describing him as "an athletic and resolute-looking man", (Clarkson 1.318.) Falconbridge’s book giving an account of the slave trade was presented as evidence in the Parliamentary Hearing into Slavery.

Alexander Falconbridge and Anna Maria Horwood were married at Easton in Gordano by banns on 16 April 1788, witnessed by one of Anna Maria’s sisters and George Falconbridge. (Apart from the appearance of Alexander himself, this is the first time I have found a Falconbridge in Bristol.) 

The Horwood family were local, well established in the Parish of All Saints, Bristol.

Charles Horwood, Anna Maria’s father was a silversmith and also a clockmaker. (A long case 8 day clock with his name can be viewed on line.)

The children of Charles & his wife Grace, nee Roberts, were baptised at All Saints Church as follows: Mary Anne, 24.11.1760, Grace, 5.4.1762, (bur 13.2.1773), Anne, 5.5.1763, Charles, 25.1.1765, (bur 1785), Christian Jane, 17.10.1766,and Anna Maria, 13.7.1769

Grace Horwood, the wife of Charles was buried 6.1.1774.

On 13.4.1779: Charles Horwood, junior, silversmith & Martha Cox were married, by licence, witnessed by Charles Horwood, senior, & Edith Bayley. The licence states: “Charles Horwood of All Saints, silversmith & Martha Cox, spinster of St James.” This is a puzzle as Charles cannot be the Charles baptised in 1765 above, as he would still be a lad of 14, so I am led to believe that there was Charles s.o. Charles s.o. Charles and both weddings refer to the same man, Anna Maria’s father!

Charles and Martha went on to have the following children baptised at All Saints: Martha, 7.5.1780, (inf. bur 11.1.1780), Martha, 4.4.1781, Elizabeth & Charles, 9.6.1783, (Charles bur 8.5.1788) Simeon, 9.3.1785, (bur 9.8.1785) Charles Bird, 25.4.1787 (bur 30.4.1787) 

A Charles Horwood senior was buried 4.8.1787 and Martha “from Dowry Square” on 16.3.1791

Alexander was supposedly 28 at the time of his marriage to Anna Maria who was nineteen. Valerie believes that the Horwoods were a well to do family and that they disapproved of the marriage, “possibly because they were involved in the slave trade and disliked the anti-abolitionist movement. It is known that Anna’s brother in law to be was the captain of a slaver”, and the location of the marriage, well out of town, may suggest a clandestine arrangement.

In 1791, Alexander was selected by the Anti-Slavery Society to sail to Sierra Leone with the intention of reorganising the settlement of freed slaves in Granville Town and the married couple, with William Falconbridge, presumably another brother, sailed for the colony on a slaver, “The Duke of Buccleuch” under Captain Maclean.  Alex signed an Inventory dated 1792, Sierra Leone, with other signatories, James Watt and Richard Pepys, Members of the Council.

Anna Maria must have been very brave and feisty and was obviously well educated as can be seen from the book she co-authored about her travels: “The Narrative of Two Voyages to the River Sierra Leone During the Years 1791-1792-1793", which was published in 1794. She writes with the benefit of hindsight “it was surely a premature, hair-brained and ill-digested scheme to think of sending such a number of people all at once to such a rude barbarous and unhealthy country before they were certain of possessing an acre of land.”

The Sierra Leone scheme was a failure, as was the marriage. The couple separated. Alexander fell out with his brother William who was also employed by the Sierra Leone Company. William moved to Bance Island where he became ill with a fever and died. Alexander, who had taken to drink, was dismissed by Mr Thornton of the Company, and very depressed died on 19 December 1792. Both he and William are believed to be buried in Sierra Leone but the site of their graves is unknown.

Within a few weeks, on 7 January 1793, Anna Maria married Isaac Dubois, in a private ceremony, requesting that the officiating clergyman keep the matter secret (for obvious reasons!) The marriage was probably Isaac’s second, for a man of this name married Jemima Blake at St Martin’s in the Fields, London on 17.11.1784. He also worked for the Company and kept a diary for Thomas Clarkson. Though some sources say he was a plantation owner from North Carolina, or a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, I wonder if either is correct and feel that his connections are more likely with London, and particularly St Martin’s in the Fields where an Isaac Dubois of the Strand, St Martin’s in the Fields, chaser and print seller, insolvent debtor, was imprisoned in The Fleet, 22.10.1748. (London Gazette). Perhaps he was Isaac’s father or grandfather?  The  newly weds celebrated aboard Anna's brother in law's slaver and later returned home to England via Jamaica.

Anna includes in her book details of meetings she had on her return with Thornton who had sacked Alexander. She mentions Alexander’s will which has never been located and alludes to a possible child. This is the only reference she makes to her dead husband apart from his bad temper and drinking habits.  She gave birth to a son Francis Blake Dubois on 27 December 1801 and died shortly afterwards probably from the complications of giving birth. She was just thirty three years old. Her son was christened at St Martin in the Fields in November 1802.

Sadly it seems that Anna Maria wavered when it came to the abolitionist movement and after Alexander's death she seems to have had doubts about the possibility of abolition coming about, she in fact questioned whether it was a good thing.

So what are the Bristol connections? As shown above George Falconbridge was a witness to the marriage of Alexander and Anna Maria.  On the 16 February 1791 he married at St Philip & St Jacob’s, Mary Hedges of Castle Precincts. The marriage was by licence, presumably because the bride was just eighteen and needed the consent of her father, Thomas Hedges, a hatter, of St P & J. George was  a bachelor and by trade a chymist, (sic). All parties signed.

The next Falconbridge on the scene is Samuel, a chemist, of the City of Bristol, who made his will on 10 February 1795. He leaves:

“to my son George Falconbridge, a house now occupied by Earl Pearce, potter, in Avon Street, St Phillips with £200 stock in 5% annuities, household furniture, books, my best black coat and all necessaries in my dwelling.”

“to my brother, William Falconbridge, if living at my decease, interest of £200 in stock &c and at his death one half to be paid to Samuel Falconbridge, his son and half to Mary Falconbridge, his daughter.”

“to my grandson Samuel Falconbridge, £50 in stock.”

“to my wife’s mother Susanna Boyd the interest on £100 in stock for life provided her son George Boyd give her £10 a year for her life, otherwise the legacy is void. And at her death to my grandson Samuel Falconbridge jointly with his brother and sisters, £30 to him and £70 between his brother & sisters.

”to John Griffiths, my wearing apparel except my black coat.

“to John Read £10 and any surplus money I may die professed (sic) of after my funeral expenses and debts discharged and deficiency to be made up by my son George Falconbridge. And the same John Read to direct my funeral and that he will have a flat grave stone put over my grave inscribed with my age and that of my dear wife; and John Read to be executor.”

Signed Samuel Falconbridge in the presence of Isaac Hill, Richard Pincott, William Seward.

The will was proved on the 20th May 1795.

Unfortunately, mysterious as usual, nobody by the name Falconbridge appears in the Bristol baptism & burial indexes 1754-1812 produced by Bristol & Avon FHS, nor does the gravestone appear in Ron Lewin’s index of MIs. It occurs to me that William named above “if living” may be the William who accompanied Alex and Anna Maria to Africa. If Alex is also Samuel’s brother then he is not mentioned in the will as it must have been known that he was already dead.  I have been unable to find a marriage between Samuel Falconbridge and ----- Boyd. 

So we are left with…………George.

George Falconbridge was married to Mary Hedges as noted above. They appear not to have had children and lived out their lives in St Philip & St Jacob. In the Bristol Mercury of 30.11.1830 George Boyd Falconbridge of St P & J appears named in a petition of ratepayers railing against “ruinous taxation”.

They appear in 1841 census at Lamb Street, aged 70 and 65 respectively. (I had some difficulty in finding them - “Find My Past” indexes them as “Fatcombridge”!) George died in 1845 and in the 1851 census Mary is is living at 92 Lamb Street St P  J, widow, 79, funded proprietor & house, born Bristol, with Esther Baker, 21, servant, born Gloucestershire.   In 1861, Mary is living at 40 Wade Street, still with the faithful Esther Baker, now “28”. It was probably Esther who put her mistress’s obituary in the newspaper in 1865:  November 12, at Lamb Street, after a long illness, Mary Ann, widow of Mr G. Falconbridge, aged 94, (Bs Merc 18.11.1865)

On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 12:10 AM, <edandjackie@pei.sympatico.ca> wrote:

Message from Jackie MacNeill Doiron 

I am writing in regards to any information you may be aware of to help me with the research of my family.   My great great grandfather was James Howe (born 1811) who according to family history was born in Bristol, England.  We have been told he was orphaned at the age of app 6 along with his brothers William (born in 1813) and Theophilus (unknown birthdate).  John Cambridge who was imperative in the settlement of Prince Edward Island, Canada somehow became involved in the lives of these children and brought them with him or in his care to Canada.  James was trained as shipwright and one of them went to sea as a cabin boy with the Cambridge "fleet".  Both James and William settled and raised a family on Prince Edward Island where they died in 1881 and 1888 respectively.  Theophilus went to sea and was never heard from so it was assumed he met his end to the sea.  James married my great great grandmother in 1835 and settled on the farm I now own.  Many thanks for your time.... sorry I am so sketchy but any of the documents I possess in regards to James do not reflect any life outside that on Prince Edward Island for him.  Take care and greetings from Canada.

Can anyone help Jackie?

Material from forthcoming history of North Wisconsin "Two Frontiers" (Taisto Hayrinen).

The first rural settlement in the Brule valley was established in 1880 near the mouth of the Brule River. Samuel Budgett of Bristol, England, was a prominent manufacturer who thought he was doing his trusted employees a good turn by giving them a chance to settle in the New World. They settled at the mouth of the Brule, called the little colony "Clevedon" and proceeded to improve the harbour and start a fishing industry. A sawmill was established and farms opened up. Though they were a sturdy lot, the settlers did not thrive and in a few years they scattered. Hardly a trace of the settlement remains.

There was an interesting programme on BBC 4 the other night with the above title. Two Bristol churches were featured: Holy Trinity,  Westbury on Trym, 13th century, though according to the church website, an 8th century foundation, and All Saints, City, 15th century.

The former has a “Cadaver tomb” – which portrays the occupant as a rotting corpse rather than in the pink of life. Such macabre depictions came about in the wake of the Black Death, mid 14th century and gave the message “As I am, then you shall be.”

All Saints, in St Nicholas Market now a Christian study centre, is 15th century. Purgatory was the intermediate station between possible bliss in heaven and the damnation of hell.  In order to avoid staying in this nerve racking place, (presumably under cross examination), no longer than absolutely necessary it was essential to purge as many of one’s sins as possible whilst still on earth. Of course, it helped if you had some money. Alice Chester, a widow “in good prosperity” in 1485 believed the Rood Screen at All Saints was rather ordinary so left a large bequest to the church to provide a new one.  “Rood” is an antique name for “cross”. The Rood Screen, in a mediaeval church was of ornate carved wood and separated the chancel from the main altar. Above the screen in the “Rood Loft” the crucifix looked down on the congregation, reminding them of Christ’s humanity and His suffering on their behalf. 

Agnes Chester was a contemporary of John Cabot, who is believed to have come to England in 1484 and lived just along the way in St Nicholas Street. Perhaps they bumped into each other. Just twelve years after Agnes died Cabot set sail on his epic voyage across the Atlantic to find a shorter sea route to Asia and stumbled upon Newfoundland.

I have received the following email:

As direct descendants of the subject: Quaker mother and daughter, my family owns an original painting of one of these ladies when she was probably in her early twenties.  The husband of EBB, John Burgwin of Wilmington NC USA, had his portrait done in England by Boston native John Copley (recently gifted to the North Carolina Museum of Fine Art) who was an academy contemporary of Sir Joshua Moore.  I am wondering if you might be able to help me prove the painting's subject and artist.  Please contact me by email in this specific regard at your earliest convenience.  In addition, I am most interested in any information on related Bristol families including: Bush, Moore, Burgwin, etc.  Thank you for this and all you do to preserve family legacies.

Michael Denton
Richmond, Virginia, USA

Dear Michael

I would suggest you contact the Royal Academy or the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery with a copy of the portrait to see if they can offer any advice. As to “information on related Bristol families” – this is a very wide remit, particularly as two of the names are not rare. I have forwarded your email to a professional genealogist who specialises in Bristol families who may be able to help you.  I think you may find it advantageous to join the Bristol & Avon Family History Society where you may discover others researching your family.

I have put this correspondence on the blog it case anybody can help.

Good hunting!