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)

Jonathon BISP of Winterbourne, 1754, makes an appearance in a list of Bristol seamen in my Kingswood Index which can be found elsewhere on this site.  Going through some old research papers recently I have come across him again in a notice  headed “Merchants Hall, April 11th, 1758”.

“The Trustees for the Relief of Seamen, &c, there met:

Mr Abraham ELTON, Master; Mr Richard COMBES, Warden; Mr Thomas FARR, junior, Warden; Mr Cranfield BECHER; Mr Henry SWYMMER;Mr James LAROCHE;

Mr Richard FARR; Mr William REEVE; Mr John FOY; Mr Nathaniel FOY; Mr George DAUBENY; Mr Wm WARSIP; Mr Thomas WILLOUGHBY; Mr Chr: WILLOUGHBY

No. 61: Jonathan BLISS (see note below **) late cook on board the ship or vessel called Duke of Cornwall belonging to the Port of Bristol whereof David JENKINS was Commander having the misfortune to have his left arm broke and his right hand shattered so much as to render it useless and his body and face burnt by the sudden going off of a gun aboard the said ship applying for relief and the same being certifyed (sic) to the satisfaction of the Trustees it is ordered that the said Jonathan Bliss be allowed two shillings a week to be paid Quarterly upon the General Quarter days the first payment to be made on the twenty fourth day of June next.

No 62: Betty BRUMAGE, Widow of Pierce Brumage late Chief Mate and afterwards Master of the Ship Nonpareil belonging to the Port of Bristol who was lost in the said Ship on her passage from Cape Fear to the said Port of Bristol some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty four petitioning for relief and the proper certificates being read whereby it appears that she hath one child living named Elizabeth aged about three years. It is ordered in consideration of her having had no relief hitherto and that Pierce Brumage was Master of the said ship at the time of his death that Betty Brumage be allowed two shillings a week to be paid quarterly……” (same conditions as above.)

Undated – a later occasion:

“The Trustees for the relief of Seamen &c then met:

Mr Isaac BAUGHTON, Master; Mr Jos: DALTERA, Warden; Mr Rd FARR, Warden; Mr Hry. CASAMAJOR; Mr Nathaniel FOY; Mr Wm REEVE; Mr Hry SWYMMER;

Mr Jas. LAROCHE; Mr Wm. JONES: Mr William HILHOUSE; Mr Henry DAMPIER: Mr James DALTERA; Mr Wm WANSEY: Mr Chr.WILLOUGHBY

No. 2: Thomas WEAVER – allowed to reside in or near Waterford and to be paid quarterly

No.5: Joshua HOLLAND – did not appear being ill.

No. 19: Rachel DAVIS is now married to Methusaleh DYER, a seaman now on board a Man of War

No. 22: John FLING – does not reside in Ireland

No.27: Mary GARDNER did not appear

No. 28: John HEALY – it appears that he is not quite dark and is able to get four or five shillings a week his pay therefore is reduced to two shillings a week from next (illegible) (I can’t understand what “not quite dark” means.)

No. 32: Rebecca RUTH did not appear. She lives at Westbury

No. 38: John THOMAS did not appear, being ill

No. 50: Robt BARKER did not appear

No. 53: The Pension paid to Mrs EDWARDS in respect of Richard LARKWORTHY ordered to be discontinued he being admitted into Mr Colston’s Hospital

No. 61: ** Jonathan BISP hitherto by mistake called BISP

No. 63: Jas. PITMAN did not appear.”

I am indebted to Mrs WALSH, a descendant of the Bisp Family who sent me this copy document from an original at the Society of Merchant Venturers in 1996. NB. in “Bitton Parish Chronicles” – lifted without acknowledgement from my “Annals of Kingswood” the writer has seen fit to “correct” my spelling of Jonathan’s name having decided it is a misprint and calls him “Bishop”.  Whenever a name is sufficiently unusual, it is always worth looking to see if there is any further information to be had. I’m sorry to say that in this case Jonathan Bisp, if this is the same man, came to an unfortunate end, as described in the London Chronicle of 1762:

“Bristol, October 30th. Saturday night a fray happened in Nicholas Street between the butchers and a party of the Glamorganshire Militia.in which Jonathan BISP, butcher, had his skull fractured so that he died next morning and several others were wounded on both sides. One Robert WILLIAMS who struck the deceased with an iron bar is committed to Newgate.”

Then: Bristol Gaol Delivery, Saturday 28th May, 1763. Robert Williams convicted on the wilful murder of Jonathan Bisp. Let him be hanged by the neck until he be dead and let him body be delivered to Mr TOWNSEND, surgeon to be dissected and anatomized. But execution to be respited until 24th day of June next. (From Bristol Gaol Delivery Fiats 1741-99 .)

I am looking for the birth and death of Captain William Dungey, supposed born circa 1754 who died prior to 1841. Can anyone help?

                                                                                                               WILLIAM DUNGEY

An obituary appears in the Bristol Mercury of 7 Dec. 1844 as follows: At Merchants Almshouse, much regretted, Elizabeth, widow of Captain William Dungey, late of this port, aged 72. Elizabeth died on 1 December and according to her death certificate she was 68. (Which shows we always have to be wary of the age given at death or on gravestones, for this was supplied by other people!) There was an inquest and the City Coroner, J.B. Grindon, decided there were no suspicious circumstances and brought in a verdict of “Visitation of God”. 

The Merchants Venturers Almshouse in King Street was built as a home for old sailors and their dependents and I passed it every day during the short time I worked next door in the 1950s at the now defunct “Northern Assurance”.

On the wall is a plaque with the following lines:

"Freed from all storms the tempest and the rage
Of billows, here we spend our age.
Our weather beaten vessels here repair
And from the Merchants' kind and generous care
Find harbour here; no more we put to sea
Until we launch into Eternity.
And lest our Widows whom we leave behind
Should want relief, they too a shelter find.
Thus all our anxious cares and sorrows cease
Whilst our kind Guardians turn our toils to ease.
May they be with an endless Sabbath blest
Who have afforded unto us this rest."

“Elizabeth Dungee” aged 66, born in the county of Gloucestershire, was among the inmates of the Almshouse in 1841 from which it is evident that she was widowed by this time.

Records show that William Dungey married Elizabeth Eadye at St Augustine’s, Bristol in 1800, and as according to family lore, William was born in 1754, he would have been 46 at the time from which it is supposed that this may have been his second marriage.  The marriage was by banns and both signed the register. The couple lived at various addresses in Pipe Lane between 1814 and 1829 according to Rates’ Books and Matthews’ Bristol Directory. From 1830 the rates at 10 Pipe Lane were paid by their son in law, James Fedden.

For many years William was Captain of the Viscount Palmerston a packet ship which left Bristol for Cork every Thursday and Saturday. When steam replaced sail about 1823, it appears that William retired. I have been unable to find any burial or obituary for him though his death is assumed to have been between 1830 and before 1841.  (The William Dungey buried at Temple aged 62 in 1836, is another man of the same name, a glass blower by trade.)

William & Elizabeth’s children were

Mary,  perhaps baptised St Mary Redcliffe, 1801. A notice of her marriage appears in Bristol Mercury on 7 Feb. 1820: “February 3rd, at Westbury on Trym, Mr. James M. Fedden to Mary, eldest daughter of Captain William Dungey of the Government Packet Establishment of this City & Cork.”

(The fact that she was “the eldest daughter” implies that there were at least two more!)

In 1841, the Feddens were at Lewis Buildings, Orchard Lane, Temple:

James Fedden, accountant, 40, Mary Fedden, 35, with children Charlotte, 15, George, 14, Charles 12 and Alfred, one month. All were said to have been born in Gloucestershire. The deaths of a James Fedden and a Mary Fedden were registered in Bristol in 1846. A James Fedden appears in a list of insolvent debtors, 22.7.1837 and may be “our” James, whilst two other entries re T. Edgar who was charged with the theft of a cloak from Mr James Fedden of Brandon Street, 12.11.1836 and James Fedden, landlord of a pub the Duke of York in Brandon Street, 1839 appear to refer to a different man. 

William, who married Ann Caroline Lovell at Westbury on Trym in 1825. He was a carpenter and left Bristol for London.

and possibly John, whose marriage was announced 14.1.1837 in Bristol Mercury: “Dec. 28th at Trinity Church, Captain John Dungey to Mary Ann daughter of Mr Francis Vincent of Stapleton Road.” This couple were living at Tubal Place, St Mary Redcliffe in 1861, when he was aged 62, born Bodmin, Cornwall, and Mary Ann, 52, born Isle of Wight.  His death is announced in 1871: Nov. 20, Mr John Dungey, late Captain of this Port, aged 76.” (Bs Merc. 2.12.71)

Hope Chapel was until recently used as the venue for Sunday night concerts and it was at several of these that I took down the following names from plaques on the walls. After the concerts and other community activities ceased the Chapel was threatened with closure and demolition. I am delighted to say it has been saved and now functions again as a place of worship – Hope Community Church.

http://www.hopechapel.co.uk/

ADAMS, Emma, 1864

“Jan 26, at Rownham Place, Hotwells, aged 20, deeply lamented, Miss Emma Adams, niece of Mr Lanham.” (BM 30.1.1864) Mr Lanham was born 1813 in Bath, a master baker and in 1861 was at Rownham Place with his wife and two daughters, and their nieces Emma and Ann Adams.

ATHERSUCH, E. 1914-18

(Sapper Edward Arthur James Athersuch, Royal Engineers, died 28.3.1918, aged 26, son of Mrs Elizabeth Priscilla Athersuch of 37 Ambra Vale East, Clifton Wood,  Pozieres Memorial - CWGC)

BAKER, Ann, 1798

BERDER, Elizabeth Lamplow, 1804

BISHOP, F.J. 1914-18

(Private, RAMC, 129th Field Ambulance, died 23.7. 1917, aged 21, son of Isaac & Alice Bishop, 4 Albemarle Row, Hotwells, Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. – CWGC)

BUCHAN, Henrietta, 1823

DENFORD, Mary, 1851

“Feb 27 aged 63, Mary C. wife of Captain Denford, Albemarle Row, Clifton, universally regretted. Her loss will be felt amongst the poor to whom she was ever a kind benefactress.” (BM 8.3.1851). Mary Cure Denford died just before the census of 1851. In 1841 she was living at 12 Freeland Place, Clifton with her husband Charles (of independent means) and a young maidservant.

EDMUNDS, A.H. 1914-18

(Private, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, 6th Bn, died 4.12.1917, Tin Court New British Cemetery, Somme – CWGC);

FOSTER, Henry, 1819

FRIEND, Sarah, 1791

GREGORY, Rev William, 1853

Rev William Gregory became Pastor in 1831 and his labours were “greatly blessed”. (see BM 14.7.1838) His death was announced in Bristol Mercury 19. 2.1853: “Feb 15 at his residence, The Polygon, Clifton, aged 47, the Rev Wm Gregory, for 21 years the faithful Pastor of Hope Chapel.”

GUY, Rev W.H., 1830

“April 1, the Rev William Henry Guy, pastor of Hope Chapel, Clifton, having during a long illness experienced the efficacy and truths of the Gospel he so faithfully preached to his now bereaved and mourning flock.” (BM 6.8.1830)

HARRIS, William, 1885

HOOD, C.E. 1914-18

(Charles Ernest Hood, son of Mr & Mrs J. Hood, 8 Freeland Place, Hotwells, aged 22, Royal Irish Regt, 6th Bn, died 7.6.1917, Ypres, Menin Gate. – CWGC)

HOPE, Charles, 1797

HOPE, Lady Henrietta, 1786

Lady Henrietta Hope gave £2,500 towards the erection of the Chapel but sadly died before it was completed, as did her two colleagues Lady Glenorchy and Lady Maxwell. Henrietta was buried at the Tabernacle in Bristol but her body was exhumed and brought to the Hope and placed in a vault beneath the chapel with a marble memorial erected on the spot. (see Bristol Mercury 14.7.1838)

HOPE, Catherine, 1802

LAWRENCE, Joseph, 1841

“June 14 at Rodney House, Weston-super-mare age 64 after a few days illness, Joseph Lawrence, Esq.” (BM 19.6.1841) 

LUKE, Samuel, 1865

“Oct 28 at Clifton, the Rev Samuel Luke aged 59.” (BM 31.10.1868)

POWELL, Alice, 1797

STEPHENS, T. 1914-18

(Thomas Stephens, A Coy, Glos. Regt, aged 27, died 27.8.1917. son of Henry & Frances Stephens, 270 Hotwells Rd and husband of Lilian Stephens, 13 Carters Buildings, Clifton. Tyne Cot. – CWGC)

WAY, T. 1914-18

(Private Thomas Way, South Staffs Regt. died 10.7.1916, Thiepval Memorial. – CWGC)

WIER, William Hope, 1811

YOUNG, A. 1914-18

(I believe he was either Albert or Arthur, but I cannot say for certain owing to the large numbers of men called “A. Young” on the CWGC lists.)

Notices from Bristol Mercury:

Obituaries

Rev. Joseph H. Browning, died in his 81st year at Wrington, Sept. 30th. One of the earliest students at the Countess of Huntingdon's College at Trevocca. Some time Pastor at Hope Chapel. (8.10.1836)

Marriages at Hope Chapel, 1843-52:

June 6, at Hope Chapel by Rev Wm Gregory, Samuel Backhouse, Esq., of Wells to Margaret dau of E. Fennell, Esq.. (10.6.1843)

June 28, at H.C. by Rev Thomas Winter, Mr W. Liddiatt to Miss M. Price, both of this City. (29.6.1844)

Oct 30, at H.C. Mr Isaac Hemmons of Bristol to Miss Mary Polglase of Bedminster. (16.11.1844)

Dec 27, at H.C. by Rev W. Gregory, Mr John Thorn, mason to Mary Amelia. d.o. Mr David Williams, builder, both of this City (4.1.1845)

Jan 23, by Rev H.I. Roper, Mr Wm Tilley of Bath to Anna Maria, only d.o. Mr S. Bowsey, Rosedale Cottage, Montpelier. (25.1.1845)

Mar 11, by Rev David Thomas, to Rev John Titley of Bath to Elizabeth Mary, widow of the late Henry Samuel Beer of Clifton. (13.3.1847)

Sep 18, Mr J.D. Rock of Islington to Emma, youngest d.o. late Rev John Guard. (2.10.1847)

Mar 9, by Rev Wm Gregory, Mr David Williams senior of Brunswick Place, Hotwells to Mrs Mary Powell of Montague Hill. (17.3.1849)

Feb 25, by Rev Wm Gregory. David Morris, lithographer, Commercial Street, Newport s.o. late Rev T. Morris, Baptist Minister, to Jane, youngest d.o. late Mr Thomas Morgan of Nelson Place, Clifton, (9.3.1850)

Feb 12, by Rev J.T. Beighton, Mr Matthew Dunlop of Wellington Place to Jane, only d.o. Mr Samuel Frost of Cumberland Terrace. (14.2.1852)

Misc:

Declaration by Ann Wall, wife of Thomas Wall, draper, 11 Wellington St., Clifton relating to death of William Hayman, 1815, and his burial at the Hope Chapel. Clifton. (81/PWT/120/1 1837 Plymouth & West Devon Record Office)

The following names are a POST SCRIPT to the far greater number of fatalities in my book “Killed in a Coalpit – the Mines of Mendip”, the manuscript of which is now at the Radstock Museum.

Joshua Ashman (54)

The beloved husband of Sarah Ann Ashman, who died at Newbury Colliery, August 17^th 1906. Interred at Coleford Churchyard.

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath

And when my voice is lost in death

Praise shall employ my nobler powers

My days of praise shall ne'er be past

While life and thought, and being last

Or immorality endures." (His favourite verse.)

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."

(2 Timothy 4; verses 7 & 8(From a funeral card.)

Thomas Athay

"One of the oldest miners in the Forest of Mendip incautiously entered some old works at Shipham when the side fell in and buried him." (FFBJ 4.6.1823)

James Attwood - see John Harding, 1796

William Ball (or Bull) - see Henry Carter, 1823.

S. Bath

Inquest at Timsbury on S. Bath who fell down the pit 100 fathoms by missing his hold at the bar at the top of the pit. (FFBJ 31.12.1801)

Clifford "Billy" Battle

Information from Edward P.S. Battle, who now lives in Yorkshire: "My uncle, Clifford "Billy" Battle of Welton Road, Radstock was badly injured underground at Ludlow's Colliery and died the next day in Paulton Hospital. This happened in the winter, 1928-9. I know I was 8 years old at the time. He left a wife and three year old son. My father worked as a face worker at Braze Down, Ludlow's and Haydon all his working life and died of pneumonicosis in 1959."

Thomas Bilby

Pauper, killed in Newton Coal Pit by coal falling on him. Buried Newton St Loe, 24.8.1792.

Herbert John Brice (19)

Killed in Greyfield Pit, 10 June 1905 and buried at High Littleton, 15 June, 1905.

(PRHL)

Mark Brice

Addendum. Of Farnborough, aged 17, buried at High Littleton, 29 October 1845. (PRHL)

Charles Bridges

Fatal Colliery accident at Timsbury. Charles Bridges, collier, killed 5^th July 1878 while working at Conygre Pit, owned by Messrs Mogg, Parish & Co of Withy Mills, in a roof fall. There was a large slip of the roof with brakes breaking away at the sides which caused the fall. A large stone was amongst the debris which was thought to have hit Bridges. (BMerc 20.7.1878)

James Brimble (57)

William Travers (16)

Killed at Mearns Coal Work and mentioned in High Littleton Overseers' Accounts 1.4.1815, which refer to payment for their laying out and coffins. Buried High Littleton 4.4.1815.

------Britton

"On Friday, a labourer named Britton, in a fit of insanity threw himself into the coalpit at Camerton near Bath and was killed on the spot. (BMi 12.6.1830)

--------Broughton of Farmborough

--------Gibbs of Near Paulton

killed at Middle Pit, Radstock when 3-4 tons of stone fell on them. (BMi 16.2.1861)

Azariah Bryant

"A boy, ascending in the lap of another boy from a coalpit at Writhlington was met by two others going down and the parties coming into contact with each other, Bryant was thrown from his seat and precipitated 80 feet to the bottom of the pit." Inquest Report, FFBJ 14.2.1824.

Daniel Budd

Killed in a coalpit, buried Nailsea, 8.1.1794.

Samuel Budd

"Killed falling down a coalpit at Nailsea", buried Nailsea, 26.3.1811, inquest reported FFBJ, 13.4.1811.

Joseph Bull

"whose back was broken by a stone 2 tons weight falling on him in a coalmine." FFBJ 30.3.1822. (This inquest was reported on the same day as that on Job Cromwell).

James Bunn

Accident at Barlake Colliery owned by Sir John Coxe Hippisley & Messrs Messiter of Wincanton. James Bunn was scalded so dreadfully that he survived only a few hours. (FFBJ 19.8.1820).

William Button (35)

"killed by falling down a pit…." (remainder illegible), burial register, Radstock, 8 May 1849

Henry Carter

William Ball (or Bull)

Paulton. The two men were ascending from their work at a coalpit at Petherton with George Harris & Stephen Ball, (brother in law of the above), when owing to a misconception, a wrong signal was given to the engineer who slackened instead of drawing up, Carter and Ball fell 20 fathoms to their deaths. Harris & Stephen Ball were saved. (FFBJ 15.3.1823)

James Carter and six others, see page 9.

A poem written in memory of the seven men who lost their lives at Timsbury Colliery, February 6^th 1895. It was written by a member of a well-known local mining family, William Ashman. Timsbury's Conygre. The poem is quoted in full in "Five Arches, the Journal of the Radstock and Midsomer Norton District Museum Society, Issue number 4, June 1987. I am grateful to the Society for allowing me to repeat it here.

Nine men we're told went down the mine

To labour for the night

But seven were killed and only two

Of them came up alive.

They had not left their homes so long

Before the news had spread

That an explosion had taken place

And seven poor men were dead!

How sad the news must be to those

To whom those men belong

To hear their husbands had been killed

Who had not left home long.

It's not so very long ago

That one of these poor men

Had lost a son through accident

Who was but a young man.

We're told it is (that in the midst)

Of life we are in death.

Today we're well, but perhaps ere long

Our eyes may close in death

We pray that God will bless the wives

And the dear little ones

God bless the widow who has lost

Her husband and her son.

Now just a word I'll say to all

Be watchful everyone:

For in an hour that ye think not

The Son of Man will come."

John Carter

Addendum. Of High Littleton, buried there 4.11.1845, aged 40. (PRHL)

William Churchill

"Thursday last, a piece of coal fell from one of the carts near the coalpits at Smoakem on the head of William Churchill, and killed him on the spot. He has left a wife and 4 small children. (FFBJ 29.1.1803)

Job Cromwell

Killed at Camerton by the rope of the gug wheel winding round his body. FFBJ 30.3.1822

James Chivers

coalminer of High Littleton, killed at High Littleton, and buried there 1.2.1772. (PRHL)

John Chivers

Of High Littleton, who was bailiff at Heighgrove Coal Works, and killed there. Died 17 April and buried 18 April, 1759. (PRHL)

Thomas Chivers

Coalminer, killed at Tyning Coal Pit. Buried 19 March, 1796. (Various Settlement examinations of the Chivers family including Sampson Chivers, 9 December 1845, are among High Littleton parish records.) (PRHL)

Mark Cleaves

Erratum. This man's name incorrectly appears as "Cleevis" in the Mining Inspector's Reports. He died aged 26, according to a gravestone in High Littleton churchyard. He was buried there 2.10.1866. (PRHL, MIHL)

William Cleaves

Addendum. Of Farnborough, age 25, buried High Littleton 7.11.1845 (PRHL)

David Cook (17)

"killed in the coalpit, brother of James Cook, killed in the coalpit at Fry's Bottom." Buried Clutton, 24.1.1831.

James Cook, see David Cook, above.

John Crick

Killed Bromley Pit Cage accident, buried Farmborough, 11.11.1913, aged 35. (PR)

George Dagger

Inquest on George Dagger, coalminer, killed Timsbury, 20. 6.1812 (FFBJ).

Ernie "Slogger" Edwards

Mr G.W. Quartley, a workmate, recalled in 1992, that "he was killed by a roof fall, late 1950s or early 60s. "I recall walking to the pit bottom with him and a group of colleagues some little time before the accident, and the following exchange took place: 'Slogger, is that right your young 'uns (brother) dead?' Well if he aint, they served the poor b----- a dirty trick, they've buried 'im.'"

James Evans

Addendum. Of High Littleton, aged 43, buried there, 29.10.1845. (PRHL)

Reuben Fear

Crushed to death by a fall at New Rock, Midsomer Norton . Mr Brough, the Inspector concluded the accident was "unavoidable". (BO 29.9.1860)

-------Flowers

"Tuesday night about nine o'clock, as a lad named Flowers, the son of Mr T. Flowers, farmer of Writhlington, was riding past Shoscombe coalpit, recently opened near Radstock, he with the horse unfortunately fell down the shaft by which accident, both were killed on the spot. The lad had one or two brothers at work in the pit but some scaffolding which was constructed inside the shaft intercepted the direct fall of the horse upon them, otherwise they must inevitably have been crushed to death. " (BMi 5.12.1829)

George Green

And Another

"Tuesday morning, two men descending a Coalpit at Holcombe, suffocated by noxious air. One, George Green, has left a wife and three children." (FFBJ 4.10.1794)

Joseph Gullick (70) of Farmborough

James Hollbrook (14) of Timsbury

Accidentally killed in a coalpit belonging to Messrs Moggs and Co. (FFBJ 21.4.1810)

(James Hollbrook was buried at Timsbury, see main list.)

George Hancock

"by a fall into a coalpit, lost his life." Buried 11.11.1759 at Kilmersdon. (Kilmersdon PR)

John Harding (62)

James Attwood (14)

Addenda. The two were buried at Newton St Loe, 17.7.1796.

John Haskins

Death through a pit accident, 1789-1800. (See Mendip Annals, Martha Moore, Bristol Ref Lib, RB/3316, p95.)

Thomas Heal

William Heal

"Mr C.D. Purnell, was clerk and weigher of Simon's Hill and Ham Lane Pit. The pit was kept open to pump the water from Simon's Hill. You could get small coal for 11 shillings and twopence, (about 57p), per hundredweight then. It was so plentiful that a lot was hauled down the land to repair the road. The pit engine boilers were haystack shaped with the bottom raised up and hollow. If the water was not kept up well above the bottom it would cause super heated steam and blow up the boiler. It happened at Simon's Hill and it killed Mr Thomas Heal. He lived at the Tennis Court. His son William was killed also at Ham Pit. The plunger of the engine came too far out of the house and as he worked to get it back the steam was turned on and the surge coming out suddenly knocked his brains out. He was a cornet player and used to lead the choir in the chapel."

(extract from the autobiography of John Watts, from "Five Arches, number 9, winter 1989/90)

Thomas Hill - see William Moore, 1847

Richard Hinton

Erratum. Killed Welton, not Wootton, 13.12.1799.

James Hodges (22)

"who had his back broke at Bromidge in the Coalpit at Midsummer (sic) Norton, 1796." (PRStanton Drew)

James Hollbrook - see Joseph Gullick, 1810

Edward Hoskins (80)

In order to get work at Braysdown pit, he falsely gave his age as 67. He was set to run "the jailer" but sadly fell down the shaft and was killed. The inspector, not surprisingly, concluded "he was too old for the job." (MIR, BMi 9.3.1861) (Thank the Lord for Old Age Pensions)

David Jackson

Crushed between one of the electric underground locomotives and the steel ring roof side supports, late 1950s, early 60s. (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

John Jefferies

"a poor collier of Welton was killed by a large stone which fell on his head. He has left a wife and six children." (FFBJ 6.9.1794)

Bob Jones

Killed as a result of a shot firing accident, late 1950s or early 60s. (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

John Lansdown (26)

"Killed by the coal falling", buried Newton St Loe, 1.2.1795 (PRNSL)

James Lewis

Killed at Camerton by a fall of stone from the roof. (BO 13.10.1860)

-------Maggs

c1750. Settlement Examination of George Maggs, aged 43, born Farmborough who stated, "When I was 12 months old, my father was killed in a pit accident." (PRHigh Littleton)

William Moore of Mells

Thomas Hill of Leigh on Mendip

"killed in a Coal Pit." Buried Mells, 7.5.1829. (PR Mells)

Joseph Osbourn (17)

Killed Vobster Coal Pit, buried Mells, 7.5.1829.

George Palmer

Adendum. For more details see Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.

Daniel Pickford

Addendum. Of Farnborough, aged 25. Buried High Littleton 18.10.1845. (PRHL, see also Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.)

James Powell

"An inquest was lately taken on James Powell of Timsbury, who was killed in a coalmine." (FFBJ 1.6.1811)

Charles Sage (13)

Inquest at Timsbury on Charles Sage who was crushed between the post of a gate and a railroad wagon. (FFBJ 31.12.1801)

George Short (14)

killed at Grove Coalpit, Timsbury. Evidence was given by Thomas Comer, who was working with him that a large piece of coal, 3-4 cwt fell down on him, crushing his right leg and knocking him against the timber supports. With a man named Brydges, they managed to release the boy, who was taken Bath United Hospital. His injured leg was amputated by Mr Gore, but he remained insensible and died Friday night. (FFBJ 9.11.1850)

Lewis Ward Silcock

"coalminer at Camerton Coalworks, being drawn up the pit, the rope or fastening giving away, he was precipitated to the bottom and killed on the spot. He has left a wife and eight children." (BMi 17.11.1827)

John Simmes

"kill'd per the Engine Mill at Timsbury." Buried 7.2.1795. (PRStanton Drew)

James Stockyer

Killed in Radstock Coalworks. Buried Midsomer Norton 19.12.1800. (PRMN)

William (Bill) Taylor

"killed in an underground accident, circa 1950. The result of a prank which led to two men being tried for manslaughter. The facts as far as I can recall, (it happened), before the start of the afternoon shift at the bottom of an incline where there was a small electric haulage engine, 'Pik Rose' after the name of the manufacturer. Bill was sitting on or near the engine and one of the two accused started it in motion. Bill got his clothing caught in the rope and was dragged into it. He fractured his spine and subsequently died. The two accused were acquitted at trial." (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

"Tim"

"an eastern European, surname unknown. Killed when a man riding a trolley ran away on an incline as a result of being unhitched too early at the top of the incline and ran back into the next one in which Tim was riding. Another man, Arthur Woodland, lost an arm in the accident. Early 1960s." (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

William Travers - see James Brimble

Thomas Ven

Addendum. "Thomas son of Thomas & Flower Ven of this parish, died 1812 aged 18.

"Act thou in health and spirits gay

I too was so the other day

And thought myself of life was safe

As thou who reads my epitaph."

(Dwelly, Mss Vol I, SRO)

William Walter

Addendum. For more information, see Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.

THE DOWLING FAMILY

I have been contacted by Florence Chuk, the Australian author of the "The Somerset Years". Florence says: "I was so interested in the Dowling family, (page 15), who lost two members in mining accidents. Dowlings appear to be bad luck in mines. … I found a couple of Somerset Dowling brothers who died in mining accidents in Victoria. Robert Dowling said that he came from Saint Cuthbert's. He arrived, aged 32, in the 'Sir George Seymour' in 1849 with his wife Mary. He died on the Ballarat Goldfields in 1857, although his death was never registered. In the early days people often assumed that an inquest automatically registered a death, so many deaths are only officially indicated in the Inquest Records. His brother Henry had come out a year earlier on the 'Aurora' with his wife Ann. Henry said he came from Woodford and Ann from Chustock. Henry died following a fall of earth in a mine. He was taken out alive but his legs were terribly injured. He was taken to the Ballarat Hospital by cart, where one leg was amputated. Doctors said he seemed likely to recover, but he died the next day. Poor Henry. Their brother Edward arrived per 'Hope' in1849. He did not die in mine - well as far as I have discovered - but he was only 40 when he died in 1858.

"I began to list the men who had died in mining accidents in Victoria by going through the Inquest Index. It began to be interesting but quite overwhelming, as almost every inquest in Victoria was from a mining accident. And there were many Chinese - I had to admire the Coroners of that time in eliciting detailed statements through an interpreter."

ANONYMOUS

"Monday last, a man was killed as he was at work in a coalpit at Timsbury about 5 miles from this City." (Bath Journal, 14.3.1747/8)

"Three men were at work in Mr Davis's pit, Nailsea, when a large mass, 10 tons in weight fell on to the centre man, killing him instantly. One of the others had his leg broke. They were taken to the Infirmary at Bristol and it is very probable they will soon be speedily returned to their families." (FFBJ 22.2.1806)

"Three men were killed at Timsbury Coalpit Wednesday morning by the breaking of the rope." (FFBJ 21.5.1814)

"Saturday a deplorable accident happened at Timsbury Coalworks near Bath, six men having imprudently mounted on a basket of coal on its ascent at the mouth of the pit and having been drawn up a considerable way, the rope being over weighted, broke, and they were precipitated to the bottom. Four were taken up dead and two others survived but a short time." (FFBJ 15.4.1815)

"Accident at Smallcombe Coalworks, near Bath, when 5 men were precipitated 30 feet to the ground owing to the mismanagement of the fire engine. We do not hear that any of the sufferers have died, although they are severely injured." FFBJ 13.11.1819

MISCELLANEOUS

Tuesday morning died Parfitt Maggs, the noted fighting collier, who was shot on Saturday last by William Baker, a lime burner of Twerton in resolutely attempting to execute a warrant of distress on the goods of the said Baker. He received the whole charge of the gun on his hip. The Coroner's Inquest brought in their verdict - manslaughter and Baker is committed to the County Prison. (BMBJ 29.4.1775, kindly contributed by Jane Baker.)

Stephen Jordan, Henry Biggs, and James Gregory, "for leaving work unfinished at the Coalworks at Paulton, were sent to prison for one month; Joseph Gregory, two months

for the same offence." (FFBJ 25.2.1815)

AN APOLOGY

Mr Edward Battle, whose uncle Clifford Battle is listed above wrote to me to ask why Clifford's name was not included. This was because I had not come across his accident. I am glad to rectify the omission this time. Although I have tried to make the list as complete as possible, I know there must be many more miners who came to a tragic end through accidents, not to say those who died of illness, like Mr Battle's father, directly caused through their years of toil in the mines. If you happen to find any information about mining accidents in Mendip from any time, or know of anyone in your family who I have not found, and you would like included in the next update, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am sure there are a great many omissions of the more "recent" accidents from the late 19^th and early 20^th century when newspapers began to be issued daily, and there are many more pages to look through. As you can imagine this is incredibly time consuming.

AND FINALLY

a (slightly risqué) story, passed on to me in 1992 by an old Mendip miner, Mr Gerald Quartley:

"A story told to me by Frank Herridge of Writhington, one of three brothers who worked at Norton Hill. Frank started work at Foxcote, and the old chap who used to dish out the allowance of candles before going underground, Theophilus Swift, used to get carried away by Frank's and other young men's accounts, imagined and real of their exploits with the girls. So interested did he become that if you put your allowance of candles in an inside pocket, he would forget himself and give you a second lot. Frank used to play on this to keep the house supplied with candles for the bedrooms, oil lamps only extended to the downstairs rooms. Frank would often set off to work when the supply was running down with his mother's reminder, "Don’t forget the candles, Frankie." He never divulged the method by which these were obtained."

Abbreviations:

FFBJ – Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal

BMBJ - Bonner & Middleton’s Bristol Journal

BMi - Bristol Mirror

BMerc – Bristol Mercury

PR - Parish Register

MI - Monumental Inscription

BO - Bristol Observer

MIR - Mines Inspector’s Report

SRO - Somerset Record Office

An article, taken from the Somerset Guardian of 23^rd December 1927, perfectly illustrates the conditions and life-style of a family living in Timsbury between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries:-

Mr. And Mrs. Henry Harris, of Bloomfield, Timsbury, will on Sunday next (Christmas day), celebrate their "Radium" Wedding, having been married 70 years ago, at the Parish Church of St. Mary’s, Timsbury, by the Rev. Richard Hill, M. A. , on December 25^th. 1857.  They are both nearing 90 years of age. Until a few months ago the venerable couple enjoyed good health, but of late Mrs. Harris has been an invalid.

Mr. Harris was born at Timsbury in the year 1839, and has never lived out of the parish. Mrs. Harris, whose maiden name was Charlotte Bridges, was born in the adjoining parish of Farmborough, but was brought to Timsbury when quite a little girl, and has lived there practically all her life. Mr. Henry Harris had two brothers and three sisters, and all but one are living still. The eldest brother, Mr. Job Harris resides at Wellington, Co. Durham, and the youngest, Mr. Moses Harris, lives at Farmborough. The three sisters are Mrs. Joyce Amesbury, of Timsbury, who died six months ago; Mrs. Hulbert, of Bath; and Mrs. Clara Tyte, of Timsbury.

Mrs. Harris was one of a family of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bridges, also a Timsbury family, but she is the only survivor of eight.

There were six children of the marriage of Mr. And Mrs. Henry Harris – three sons and three daughters – and all are still living. The eldest daughter, Miss Anna Maria Harris is a permanent invalid, and resides at home. The second daughter, Mrs. Laura Searle, is the wife of Mr. Robert Searle of Timsbury. The youngest daughter, Sarah Jane, resides in South Wales. The eldest son, Mr. George Harris, of Stanley Terrace, Radstock, is 68 years of age; Mr. Henry Harris, of Bristol, 66, is the second son; and the youngest son, Mr. John Harris, 60, resides at Towlaw, Co. Durham.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harris have 26 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

The aged couple has led lives of wonderful activity and both had to work hard to bring up their family of six children in the days of low wages and high prices.

Mr. Harris started work when eight years old, at the old Hayeswood Colliery, Timsbury; where he was employed until the colliery was flooded out many years ago. The relics of the old colliery premises can still be seen adjoining the main road between Timsbury and High Littleton. After a period of apprenticeship at shoe making with Mr. Fear, of Timsbury, Mr. Harris was employed as a sawyer at Timsbury Colliery. In a similar capacity he worked for eleven years in the yard at Radstock Collieries, walking the nine miles between his home and work every day in all winds and weathers. An opportunity occurred for him to go back to his old job at Timsbury, which he did, and here he finished up a life of hard toil of 72 years’ when nearly 80 years of age. For the most of his life the working day consisted of 12 hours or more, which did not give him much time to attend to private affairs.

For many years Mr. Harris cultivated 35 perches of allotment garden, in addition to a large cottage garden, so as to provide the greater part of the food for the home. Upon scores of occasions he has been seen working in his garden at night with the aid of moonlight, and the winter evenings he occupied his time when at home in repairing boots, so as to earn money to help maintain the home.

His wages at Timsbury were only 14 shillings per week, but when at Radstock he received 15 shillings per week, and for this he walked nine miles per day, and stood on his feet all day long at his work. Being promoted to a more responsible post, his wages at Radstock were increased to 19 shillings per week, and for a week or two he actually received 20 shillings per week, but at no period of his 72 years work did his wages exceed 20 shillings per week.

In their earlier married career, apart from what was earned independent of the husband’s wages at his employment at 12 hours per day, Mr. and Mrs. Harris maintained a household of eight on 14 shillings per week, which averaged 1s. 9d. per week, per member in the family, or exactly 3d. per day. From this, rent, clothes, boots, food etc., had to be found. Whilst Mr. Harris toiled in his garden, Mrs. Harris for many years baked bread and sold it, in addition to turning her hand to other things in order to help supplement the meagre income of the home.

During the many years the Primitive Methodist connection had a Chapel at Timsbury, Mr. Harris was one of the trustees, and both he and his wife were teachers in the Sunday School. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris are now in receipt of the old age pension of 10s. per week, and the combined sums are more than Mr. Harris received as wages at any period when he was bringing up his family of three sons and three daughters.

Although the Conygre Collieries accident was a terrible shock for the village of Timsbury, there was a more severe disaster in the village, at Hayeswood Colliery, almost 50 years to the day previously, when seven men and four boys were drowned when the pit flooded on the 4^th.February 1845. Two weeks earlier, seven men were injured at the same colliery, by being drawn over the winding wheel, due to carelessness. A similar accident happened at the Withy Mills Colliery in the same manner, when the winding man was drunk on duty, and several miners were killed by being wound over the wheel. This occurred in the 1850’s and the winding man was jailed for two years.

Coal mining in Timsbury ceased in 1916, with the closure of upper Conygre due to encountering major geological faults; Lower Conygre had closed in 1914 when it was flooded out. Little remains of these once busy pits except their spoil heaps and concrete shaft caps.

Notes:

In 1851, Henry was aged 11, living at Bloomfield, Timsbury with his parents, John, a coalminer and Ann, plus three siblings. Charlotte Bridges was living nearby with her parents Samuel, also a coalminer, and Mary, plus 7 siblings. The move from Farmborough was the only one she ever made throughout her long life.

Mr. & Mrs. Harris are listed in the censuses 1861 to 1911 at Timsbury. In the latter census Mr. Harris was still at work, as a “sawyer at colliery” at the age of 71. In the census of 1871, their son George, then aged 12, was working as a coalminer.

Charlotte died aged 89 in 1928 and Henry aged 93 in 1932.

The story of the Hayeswood disaster of February 1845 appears in my book “Killed in a Coalpit, Volume 2, The Mines of Mendip.” Those killed were John Flower (52), George Palmer (41), John Carter, (widower, 2 children), Joseph Gullick, (leaving 3 children and a pregnant wife), Daniel Pickford, (a wife and 2 children), William Cleaver (leaving a wife and 6 children two of whom worked in the same mine) James Evans (wife & 2 children) Mark Brice, George Lewis, John Collins, William Walter (boys between 14 & 16).

The earlier accident was on 23^rd January 1845 but I have been unable to find specific details of the casualties. The Conygre colliery was flooded in 1914 which led to its closure.

Sometime ago I was sent the following information about a family called Blatchley who with various friends had strong Bitton connections. I had not come across them before and therefore they do not appear in my KINGSWOOD INDEX.  I was reminded of them following my recent posting concerning the Box Tunnel. This is the letter I received from Mr Guy Hirst:

“BLATCHLEY

“The Blatchleys came to the area in the 1820s from the Longleat Estate.

William the father (1771-1854) was an Innkeeper and may have been the 'William Blatcham' who appears as landlord of the Tennis Court Inn at Deanery Road, Warmley in Pigot's Directory of Gloucestershire, 1830. He had retired back to Longleat to a rent free cottage by 1839.

Charles Blatchley, (elder son), (1796-1879), Half Pay Lieutenant RN - paid off from the navy in 1825, began a new career as a railway civil engineer possibly at first with the local Bristol & Gloucestershire Railway from Coalpit Heath. His first child was born at Mangotsfield in 1828. Charles went back to sea 1830-4 and then returned to Kingswood, where his second son was born in 1836.That year Charles found a job with Brunel on the Box Tunnel and left to live at Box. Charles’ lifetime friend and colleague William Glennie was living at Bitton in the 1830s and also moved from the Royal Navy to Brunel. Glennie's wife was the daughter of the great art publicist Henry Aston Barker* (inventor of the panorama and son in law of Captain Bligh of the Bounty) who retired from London to Bitton at this period.

John Blatchley, (younger son), (1803-1862), was a butcher. He married Ruth Fudge in 1828 and had 3 children at Kingswood Hill. Ruth died in 1834. By 1836 the family had moved to Newport, Monmouthshire. When his second wife died in 1847, John and the children struck hard times and ended up in 1851 in the Keynsham Workhouse as John seems to have had a 'settlement' at Oldland. After another spell in Newport he died back in the Keynsham Union House in 1862.

Clara, John's eldest child born 1829 at Warmley remained in the area and appears not to have gone to Newport. In 1851 she was servant to the Moravian Minister Peter Cornelius West at Siston. She married in 1858 at Bitton and left for Liverpool in the 1860s.

John's second wife was Mary Ann James (1809-1847) daughter of George James (b Mangotsfield c1779) and Hannah Ponting (b. Stapleton 1778)

George James was a pork butcher and moved to Newport in the 1830s probably from Bristol where he had lived since his marriage in 1802.

Finally Sophia Grace nee Blatchley (1794-1880) sister of John and Charles, lived from about 1821 to 1835 at Warmley, Bitton, Kingswood with her Exciseman husband William.

“Kind Regards

Guy Hirst.”

I was intrigued by the connection with Bligh of the “Bounty” and decided to check out the information provided.

WILLIAM BLATCHLEY (1771-1854)

William Blatcham is listed as the Landlord of the Tennis Court in 1830. see warmley history. It seems clear from the note concerning John Blatchley (below) that he is indeed the same as William Blatchley.

William Blatchley married Joyce Scriffen Crokett at Longbridge Deverill, Wilts, 4.12.1792.

In 1841 William Blatchley and his wife Joyce aged “69 & 67” respectively are living at Horningsham, Wiltshire. William is said to be of independent means. In 1851 they are at Cock Road, Horningsham, as follows:

William Blatchley, 80, occupation “Old Huntsman” born Bath, and Joyce, otherwise Joycey, his wife aged 71.  The death of William Blatchley was registered at Warminster, Wilts in 1854 and that of Joycey at Kensington in 1859.   

CHARLES BLATCHLEY (1796-1879)

C.B. promoted Lieutenant, RN, 2.4.1824, “Morning Post”.

Charles Blatchley & Charlotte Gale married Kingswood, Bristol 18.12.1827.

(Yet to be checked: Blatchley baptisms at Mangotsfield.)

In 1841 living at Box, Wilts:

Charles Blatchley, 41, Navy Half Pay, born Wilts

Charlotte, 38, not born in Wilts, with Frederick, 5 & Alfred, 4, plus a maidservant.

In 1851, Charlotte, aged 50, born Southleigh, Oxon., is living at Ivy Cottage, Victory Parade, Dawlish with Alfred, her son aged 13, born Box whilst

Charles, 55, born Longbridge Deverill, now a Civil Engineer and Charles, his son, 22, also a Civil Engineer are living at Chipping Campden, Glos.

I can find no trace of any of them in 1861. Charlotte, wife of Commander Blatchley, RN,  died on 31.12.1864 at Saltash (obit 6.1.65, Royal Cornwall Gazette) and in 1871, Charles, a widower, aged 75, Greenwich Pensioner, Commander retired, was living at St Germans.  

His death at Saltash, Cornwall, December 3, 1879, “Commander, RN, aged 84” is recorded in the R. Cornwall Gazette 5.12.1879.

Frederick Blatchley esq, of Port View Saltash, s.o. the late Cdr Blatchley married Mary Kate eldest d.o. Rev Edward Polwhele, Rector of Pillaton. (Morning Post 13.7.1882)

JOHN BLATCHLEY (1802-1862)

“the son of the Landlord of the Tennis Court Inn” gave evidence at the Inquest on Isaac Gorden who was murdered after leaving the pub. (see Morning Chronicle, 6.12.1824) James Caines Bush and Mark Whiting of Kingswood were later hanged for the crime.

John Blatchley makes no further appearance in newspaper articles. I have yet to check his marriage to Ruth Fudge or the baptisms of his children. 

In 1841, described “brewer” (not butcher) he is living at Charles Street, St Woolos, Newport, aged 38, with his wife Mary, 32, and children William, 4, Mary 16 months, and Emma, aged 10, who must be the child of his first marriage.

In 1851, he is not in Keynsham Workhouse but in premises belonging to William Williams, a shipping labourer, and is described as a “painter, journeyman”, born Crockerton, Wiltshire. With him is his son William aged 14, “painter’s boy”, born Newport.   However, in the Keynsham Workhouse are Mary A. Blatchley, 11 and Charles Blatchley, 5, “pauper scholars”, birthplace unknown.

In 1861 John is not in the list for Keynsham Workhouse, but William, now 26, seems to have gone to Droylsden, Manchester, where he says he was “born Gloucestershire” and is living at 9 Durham Street, with his wife Jane aged 25. In 1871, William is still living in Lancashire, now aged 35, a shopman, and says he was born “Monmouthshire”. He has a different wife, Eliza, and five children. Things are looking up for they have a servant, Eleanor Ascroft, aged 15.

It is intriguing to notice the contrast in fortune in the lives of the brothers Charles and John Blatchley.

CLARA BLATCHLEY, (ca1829-1903) the daughter of John Blatchley was a maidservant at the home of the Moravian Minister, Peter Cornelius West at Potters Wood, Kingswood in 1851.

She married Robert Stone, junior, a paper maker, and in 1861 they were living at Oldland Common with their baby son, Frederick, aged one. By 1871 they had moved to Everton, Liverpool where Robert was now working at an india-rubber factory and the family had grown to six children. In 1881 he was an outdoor officer for the Local Marine Board, and in 1891, a Restaurant Manager! A Jack of All-Trades! Robert died aged 56 in 1892 and in 1901, the widowed Clara was staying with her son William, his wife Ethel and their large family at Lambeth. She died in 1903, aged 73, back home in Liverpool.

SOPHIA GRACE, nee Blatchley (1794-1880)

sister of William & Charles Blatchley, married William Grace and in 1841 was at Husbandman’s End, Shipton on Stour, Worcs. William aged 50, (born ca 1791) not born Worcs, Sophia aged 45 (bca 1796) not born Worcs, and their ten children!

In 1851 they were at 12 Caroline Place, Marylebone:

William Grace, 63 (b.1788), retired Inland Revenue Officer, born Enford, Wilts

Sophia, 57 (1794) born Longbridge Deverill

Eliza, daughter, 15, born Cirencester, plus a visitor, nine year old William Hurford, born Brighton.

In 1861, they are still at the same address: William, now 73, “Officer Inland Revenue” though the family business seems to be taking in washing: Sophia, now 66, Louisa, 35 (b.Bitton), Caroline, 28, (b. Kingswood Hill) and Eliza, 25, (b. Cirencester) are all described “laundress”, whilst so Thomas, 25, “assists at home.” The only exception to the enterprise is Maria, 26, (b. Kingswood Hill) a governess.

Sophia Grace, 85, died in London in 1880.

WILLIAM GLENNIE

On Nov. 26 at Bitton, Lt. William Glennie RN  to Elizabeth Catherine eldest daughter of Henry Aston Barker, esquire of Willsbridge. (Marriage announcement Bristol Mercury 12.12.1833)

1841 census at Box, Wiltshire:

William Glennie 40 Lieut RN & Civil Engineer, Not born Wilts

Elizabeth Catherine, 30, Not born Wilts

& 4 children, Walter, 6, Harriet, 5, William, 3 & Catherine Sophia, 1, & 2 servants

1851 census at 23 Devonshire Terrace, St Andrew, Plymouth

William Glennie, 53, (1798) Lieut RN, Half Pay, b. Camberwell

Catherine Glennie, 45 (1806) b. St Geo. Southwark

William, 13, scholar, b. Bitton, Catherine, scholar, 11, b. Bitton, Isabella, 9, b. Sampford Arundel, Som,

Alexander W. 7 b. Sampford Arundel, Mary E. 5, b. Dawlish, Margaret G. b. Plymouth.

Marriage announcement: INGLES/GLENNIE. On 8th inst at Stoke Church, Devonport, Lieut John Ingles RN & Catherine Sophia, 2nd daughter of the late Lieut William Glennie RN of Nelson Villas, Stoke, Devonshire. (Hampshire Chronicle 20.1.1866)

HENRY ASTON BARKER 

Henry As(h)ton Barker & Harriet Maria Bligh married 1802. (Harriet Maria, daughter of William & Bligh and Elizabeth Betham was baptised at Douglas, Isle of Man 14 November 1782.

Henry Aston Barker Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Southward Volunteers, 26.8.1807 (announcement, Morning Post)

The following comes from Wikipedia:

Henry Aston Barker (1774 - 19 July 1856) was a Scottish landscape and panorama painter and exhibitor, the son of Robert Barker whose business he continued.^[1]

Life and works

Barker was born in Glasgow, the younger son of Robert Barker, the famous panoramic painter, whom he assisted as a boy. When only 12 years old he was set to work making outlines of the city of Edinburgh from the top of the Calton Hill Observatory, and a few years later made the drawings for the view of London from Albion Mills. These drawings he afterwards etched.^[1]

In 1788 he came with his father to London, and soon afterwards became a pupil at the Royal Academy. Barker continued to be his father's chief assistant in the panoramas till the latter's death in 1806, when, as executor, he took over the business, and for 20 years carried on the exhibitions with great success.^[1]

He frequently travelled in the course of his work, and in August 1799 left England for Turkey, to make drawings for a panorama of Constantinople. When he arrived at Palermo, he called on Sir William Hamilton, the English ambassador at the court of Naples, and was introduced by him to Lord Nelson, of whom, he wrote, "took me by the hand and said he was indebted to me for keeping up the fame of his victory in the Battle of the Nile for a year longer than it would have lasted in the public estimation" (Barker's memoranda). The panorama of Constantinople was exhibited in 1802, and the drawings were engraved and published in four plates.^[1]

In 1801, Barker went to Copenhagen to make drawings for a picture of the battle, and while there he was again received by Lord Nelson. In May 1802, during the Peace of Amiens, he went to Paris and made drawings for a panorama of the city. After this many other panoramas were exhibited, the later ones being chiefly from drawings by John Burford, who shared with Barker the property in a panorama in the Strand, purchased in 1816 from Mr. Reinagle. Barker, however, still travelled from time to time, and visited, among other places, Malta, where he made drawings of the port, exhibited in 1810 and 1812; Venice, of which a panorama was exhibited in 1819; and Elba, where he made the acquaintance of Napoleon.^[1]

After the battle of Waterloo, Barker visited the field, and went to Paris, where he obtained from the officers at headquarters all necessary information on the subject of the battle. A series of eight etchings by Mr. J. Burnett from Barker's original sketches of the field of battle were printed and published, as were also his drawings of Gibraltar. His last grand panorama was the coronation procession of George IV, exhibited in 1822. Of all the panoramas exhibited, that of the battle of Waterloo was the most successful and lucrative. By the exhibition of this picture Barker realised no less than £10,000.^[1]

About 1802 he married the eldest of the six daughters of Rear-admiral William Bligh, who commanded the Bounty at the time of the celebrated mutiny. By her Barker left two sons and two daughters. In 1826 he transferred the management of both the panoramas to John and Robert Burford, and went to live first at Cheam, in Surrey, and then in the neighbourhood of Bristol.^[1]

Barker died on 19 July 1856 at Bitton near Bristol. A list of most of the panoramas painted and exhibited by Henry and Robert Barker were published in The Art Journal (1857, p. 47).^[2][1]. His brother, Thomas Edward Barker, though not an artist, also ran the family business, but later set up a rival panorama exhibition with artist Ramsay Richard Reinagle at 168/9 The Strand, London.^[3]

Panorama of Constantinople (1813, aquatint)

The Morning Post of 1.1.1823 contains the following: “Mr Henry Aston Barker has completed his magnificent panorama of the coronation of the present king. It is one of the most happy as well as undoubtedly the most splendid of his performances and (establishes) him as the first artist of the day in this line, The picture is exhibited  in the Great Circle at Leicester Square occupying 10,000 feet of canvas and between 30 & 40 thousand figures.”

1841 census: at Golden Valley Bitton

Catherine Barker 90 (1751) b.Ireland

Henry Ashton (sic) Barker, 66 (1775) b. Scotland

Harriet Barker, 58 (1783 b. Scotland* (*presumably there was no column for the IOM)

Mary Barker, 25 (1816) b. Glos.

Catherine Barker, Henry’s mother, and the widow of Robert Barker, died at Bitton in 1842.

On July 29 at Bitton, North Prichard esquire, of Norwood Surrey to Mary, youngest daughter of Henry Aston Barker, of Bitton. (Marriage announcement, Worcester Journal. 5.8.1847)

In 1851, Henry, & Harriet were still living at Golden Valley.

Harriet Maria Barker died at Bitton in the spring of 1856 and Henry survived her by only a few months. His obituary appears in “the Standard” of 24.7.1856 ”the 19th inst at Bitton, Henry Aston Barker, in the 83rd year of his age.”

See blog 24th June 2010.

I was asked to find out as much as I could about the site and belatedly, for what it is worth, this is the result.

I understand the deeds of the property show that it was sold by James Sinnott, Edward Stockley Sinnott & George Stanley Sinnott to St Anne’s Board Mill Company in 1923 and the Company sold it to private occupiers in 1982.

The Sinnott family, James, his wife Mary Ann and their sons were living on a farm at Higham Hill, Walthamstow in 1851.  Between 1851 and 1861, George, the eldest son, aged 29, arrived at Langton Court in Brislington where he was joined by his parents and three younger brothers, Henry, James and Edward

The marriage of James, third son of James and Mary Ann to Emily, 2nd daughter of Mr William Vowles of Totterdown was announced on June 9, 1866 in the Bristol Mercury.   He was a solicitor and appears to be the same person who, with his two sons sold the Woodside Road property in 1923.

By 1871, George Sinnott, now 38, a bachelor and still residing at Langton Court had acquired a considerable estate of 300 acres. The older Sinnotts still lived with him, as did brother Edward, along with a number of live in servants and others who had cottages on the estate. Edward Sinnott advertised a thoroughbred gelding for sale on July 18, 1874.

In 1881, George Sinnott, aged 48, was at “the Farm House, Langton Court”, still single, he had retained the 300 acres and employed 20 labourers. The rest of the family were no longer there. 

Until 1883, it appears that James Sinnott had leased the Langton Court property from Mr Gore-Langton, the Lord of the Manor, but it seems from newspaper reports (see Bristol Mercury 30.6.1888 & 18.6.1890) that he had subsequently purchased the property. This is confirmed by a letter of May 14, 1883 in Bristol Mercury from “Civis” who deplores “the closing of St Anne’s Wood, Brislington” which was then to be sold at auction and stating that “all pleasure seekers like myself can do is lament.” The property included St Anne’s Woods, (and therefore the Chapel ruins) as indicated  in a Court case which took place between James Sinnott and the Bristol Footpaths Society in 1890. (For details of this matter see Bristol Record Office Pamphlet 4728 : St Anne’s Chapel, St Anne’s Ferry & paths through St Anne’s Woods” and similarly BRO P StLB/PM/1 – 1891 “Account of Footpath Dispute”. )

It is interesting to see the array of witnesses called to court (Bristol Mercury 25.6.1890), among them Alfred Henry Brown of Brislington’s famous Brown family who was visiting from Australia. (So beloved was our parish to these emigrants that they named their property in Australia, “Brislington”). Anne Williams, aged 85, of Unity Street, Bristol, a Roman Catholic, first knew of St Anne’s when she was 18, and recalled a pilgrimage to the Chapel ruins when she was 25. A Mr Joseph Cool, “a decrepit old man, aged 98 or 99” recalled using the Ferry in old times.  

On September 8, 1886, George Sinnott married Catherine Septima Roberts, the daughter Joseph Roberts of the Shrubbery, Paxford, Worcestershire (announced in Worcester Journal 18.9.86)  On February 20, 1888, a letter in Bristol Mercury refers to land near Netham Lock. In 1891 the couple are living at Langton Court Farm House, Wick Lane, aged 59 and 46, respectively.  George Sinnott died aged 61 in the September Quarter of 1892. No doubt his will would give further information.

It does seems from the above that at the time of the arrival of the Sinnott family, the site was part of the Langton Court Estate.  

However, in 1657, (ref DD\BR\tb/1 – Somerset R.O.) a house called St Anne’s House, formerly St Anne’s Chapel was conveyed by Rowland Lacy to George White, draper and John Willoughby, merchant, both of Bristol.  I am intrigued by the turning up of the name John Willoughby as the Willoughby family of Brislington were Roman Catholics. In the early 19th century they sold land in Brislington to Dr Edward Fox of lunatic asylum fame. It seems likely to me that John Willoughby is a possible link and should be investigated further.

The Lacys were Lords of the Manor prior to the Langtons at the time of the Reformation when they would have come by the Chapel lands. Prior to this I believe it was la Warre property, particularly as the la Warres fought on the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses and apparently invited their Lord and King Henry VII to come to their local shrine. 

The object of the dig was to try to find objects which might prove that the St Anne’s Shrine was nearby what is now Woodside Road. Unfortunately no such artefacts were recovered.

This replica of the gravestone of Samuel Long and his widow Mary was propped up just inside the door of the farmhouse on the site of Old Wood Pit during Doors Open Day.  Samuel Long was a clothier and also in the coal trade.  For ‘A “Long” Story (of Mill and Mine Owners)’ by David Hardwick see

http://www.gsia.org.uk/reprints/2002/gi200246.pdf

Samuel Long married Mary Stoner by licence at Kingswood (nr Wootton under Edge) 23.5.1812

Their son Samuel was born c1816, and was followed by Paul and Mary.

In the 1841 census Samuel and Mary were living at Tail brook (?) End, Cromhall. Samuel was 55, born Gloucestershire, of Independent Means. Mary was 45, born outside Gloucestershire (Kingswood was in Wiltshire) with their children Paul, a cloth manufacturer and Mary, both said to be 23, plus a servant, Mary Dauncey.

A third son, Rowland was aged 15, and away at school in Melbourne, Cambridgeshire.

In the June quarter of 1840 Samuel junior, a cloth manufacturer, married Eliza Bousfield at Newington in Surrey and when the census was taken in 1841 their son George was aged 3 months. The family had two servants and were living at Ellfield and Ellen Cross, near Wootton under Edge.

On 23 August 1845 the Bristol Mercury published  the elder Samuel’s obituary: “August 12, at his residence, Cromhall, Gloucestershire, aged 61, Samuel Long, Esquire for many years woollen manufacturer at Charfield Mills. The intimate friend and one of the trustees of the late Rev Rowland Hill.”

By 1851, Mary, Samuel’s widow was living at Long Street, Wootton Under Edge, with her niece Elizabeth Chapman as her companion. Paul was married to Mary Shaw Clarke (registered Wallingford Sept 1841) and Elizabeth to Stephen Parsloe Bendall (registered Dursley March 1846)

Prior to his marriage, Stephen Parsloe Bendall, a surgeon, was living at 66 Lambeth Walk in London, when he was called to give evidence on a James Brown, aged 33, who had shot himself whilst intoxicated. (See Morning Post, 9.10.1843)

In 1851 Paul Long and his family were living at Charfield Mill as follows:

Paul Long, Head Mar, 32 (1819) b. Kingswood, Wilts (Woollen trade as a partner employing 350 adults and otherwise as a partner employing 100 in the coal trade.)

Mary Shaw Long, wife, 30 (1821) b. Wallingford, Berks

Samuel C Long, 8, b Charfield

Mary P Long, 3, b. Charfield with a cook, housemaid and nurse.

Meanwhile his mother Mary, aged 57, an annuitant was living at Long Street, Wootton under Edge with her spinster niece Elizabeth Chapman aged 31 as her “companion”.  This dreaded occupation, shades of Jane Austen, was one of the few occupations available for gentle unmarried ladies. Elizabeth Bendall, nee Long, now “31” was at Bradley Street, Wootton Under Edge with her husband Stephen aged 32, a surgeon, born Sodbury, two sons, Stephen and Charles, aged 4 and 3, Stephen’s spinster sister Mary and two servants.

The death of Stephen Parsloe Bendall was registered at Dursley in the
March Quarter of 1857.

Another Stephen Parsloe Bendall, Corn and Grist Miller of Wootton-under-Edge gave notice of the dissolving of his partnership with John Bendall. See Bristol Mercury 9.2.1878.

Looking up stuff becomes addictive…….

Viv Johnson has sent the following message in reply to my post of 14 September concerning Mr Fry’s Memories of Troopers Hill.

“Re W Burfitt: The miners strike was in 1912. I think the young lad who died was William George Burfoot, born 1901, living with his mother Martha, siblings James & Elsie in Troopers Hill Road in 1911 census. Death recorded in the June Quarter of 1912, age 10. Tragically Martha records on the 1911 census that of her 14 children only 5 had survived to 1911, how sad that she was to lose another just one year later.

“Memorial Cottage Hanham was 'Erected AD 1877 by public subscription for the widow and family of John Chiddy who was killed by an express train whilst removing a large stone from the metals of the Great Western Railway near Conham, March 31, 1876'.
Brave Hero John Chiddy from Hanham 'He leapt to die, and for a hundred lives he gave his one'.

“John Chiddy was foreman of Birchwood Quarry situated near the eastern mouth of Bristol No 2 Tunnel. Just before 2pm on March 31, 1876, an Up local passenger train dislodged a large stone from the quarry's stack beside the line and fouled the Down track.
Knowing that the Down 'Flying Dutchman' express was imminent, John Chiddy tried to shift the heavy obstruction. This he succeeded in doing, but at the cost of his own life, for the express engine struck him before he could leap clear. In due course, the train which had been travelling at 50mph, stopped and a collection made. The 'Flying Dutchman' at the point when John saved it was running on a ledge high above the Avon and had it become derailed, would most certainly have plunged into the river with considerable loss of life.

You can read more of John Chiddy's story here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2037588343/

also see a photo of the Memorial Cottage from which Memorial Road in Hanham was named. Surprisingly, although I found John's wife & children in the 1881, 1891 & 1901 censuses they weren't actually living in Memorial cottage on any of those dates.

Obviously Tom Fry was only a child of about 12 or so at the time so it's not surprising he was a little out in the details. In fact it's amazing how good his memory was!”

I am very grateful for Viv's contribution.

I cannot begin to imagine the grief of Martha Burfoot to lose ten of her 14 children.

I also looked for information on John Chiddy.  I can't find him in 1841; in 1851 he was a lodger, aged 22, born St George, shown as “Chidgey” with Aaron Haskins, at Hanham. He was married under the name Chidgey to Elizabeth Bryant (Sept Qtr 1852). In 1861, he was in  Hanham Rd, 32, ag lab, with Elizabeth & 4 children. In 1871, at the Hamlet of Hanham, with Elizabeth & 7 children. In 1881 Elizabeth was living Jefferies Hill with 8 children, a daughter in law and a grandson. In 1891 she was at Industry Buildings, Bitton with her son James, his wife and family.  James was a "Sanitary Authority Lab" which rather amused me, as it is only a step from the sort of titles we have nowadays - Sanitary Engineer meaning Road Sweeper and sure enough in 1901 this is what he was described as, along with his son Edwin.  Elizabeth was still with them, now at Common Rd, Hanham Abbots. She died in 1906 aged 77.

The accident was reported in Bristol Mercury on April 8, 1876 under the heading: “Railway Accident at Brislington. Heroic Conduct of a Quarryman.”