Here's a question: my great grandfather, Joseph Williams Burton, was living in Monkton Farleigh, Somerset, with his parents, Thomas and Martha Burton, for the census in 1861 and 1871. In 1874, he married Eliza Jane Jefferies (adopted name, Peacock) in Newport, across the Severn River in Wales, some 45 miles away. That strikes me as odd. Why not get married in the area where they were living and where all their relatives were living?
Here's one possible explanation: keeping in mind that Eliza was probably still working as a domestic when she met young Joseph, what if Thomas and Martha Burton didn't approve of their future daughter-in-law? The Burtons had long been landowners and tradesmen. Maybe they refused to give Joseph their consent to marry a girl from a lower rung on the economic ladder. Perhaps Joseph and Eliza had to elope and get married where no one knew them. Some place like Wales.
This scenario is believable since soon after their wedding, Joseph and Eliza packed up and moved 270+ miles away to the east coast of England where, in the second quarter of 1877, they had a baby girl, Beatrice, in the village of West Riding, Yorkshire.
Maybe the Burtons thought that things had cooled off, for they soon moved back to western England. We know because in 1879 they had had son named Thomas in the town of Bristol, very near their one-time homes.
But perhaps things still weren't okay, for shortly thereafter they show up in the census records for Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania where history records one more puzzling fact: Joseph and Eliza told the census worker in 1880 that their names were -- "William" and "Jane," which were actually their middle names. Now that is pretty darn intriguing. Wouldn't it be fun to know just what really went on with Joseph and Eliza in that brief period from the early 1870s to 1880?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum Trust
Whilst looking for the St. Nicholas Church near Sandy Lane I stumbled on this auto museum located in the area. We'll just have stop and check it out.
This is a Motor museum with vintage, post-vintage and classic cars, including American models, and classic motorbikes. The collection has been established 40 years includes approximately 150 exhibits plus extensive automobilia.
Address:
Downside, Stockley Lane, Calne, SN11 0NF
Telephone: +44 01249 813119
Email: enquiries@atwellwilson.org.uk
Website: click here
April 1st - October 1st
Mon-Thur 11:00:00-17:00:00
Sunday 11:00:00-17:00:00
Holiday 11:00:00-17:00:00
This is a Motor museum with vintage, post-vintage and classic cars, including American models, and classic motorbikes. The collection has been established 40 years includes approximately 150 exhibits plus extensive automobilia.Address:
Downside, Stockley Lane, Calne, SN11 0NF
Telephone: +44 01249 813119
Email: enquiries@atwellwilson.org.uk
Website: click here
April 1st - October 1st
Mon-Thur 11:00:00-17:00:00
Sunday 11:00:00-17:00:00
Holiday 11:00:00-17:00:00
Great great grandfather, Thomas Burton
In my efforts to find my great, great grandfather, Thomas Burton, who was living in the village of Rowde, Wiltshire when he died in 1902, I emailed the clerk of the closest cemetery in Devizes. I received the following respose:
Dear Mr Davis
I have checked the burial registers for the 1902 and cannot find any record of Thomas Burton in Devizes Cemetery. Because he lived in Sandy Lane and then Rowde, I suspect that he is more likely interred in the churchyard of one of the parish churches - I have included information on the two most likely. You will see that the registers of the Rowde Church are held in the record office which you can access online.
I wish you luck with your search and please do not hesitate to contact me
Kind regards
Sarah Todhunter (Mrs)
Church of Saint Nicholas, Sandy Lane, Calne
Without Modern settlement at Sandy Lane began in the 18th century and it is very much an estate village. Ecclesiastically it had come under Derry Hill, but in 1864 it was transferred to the new parish of Chittoe. The church of St. Nicholas was built in 1892 as a mission church, to the design of J.H. Hopkins. It is small and of an unusual timber construction with a steep thatched roof. The timbering is in an A form with 6 pairs of trusses resting on brick sleeper walls. The walls of the church consist of 2 timber sections with sawdust rammed between. All fittings are made of wood, except the 19th century brass oil lamps. In 1980 Chittoe church was declared redundant and Bromham and Chittoe parishes were united as a new parish of Bromham, Chittoe and Sandy Lane. Sandy Lane church became a chapel of ease in the new parish. In 1981 the church was rededicated with the present joint dedication.
Church of St. Matthew, Rowde
It would seem that there was a Saxon church in Rowde as a priest is recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. What sort of church, wooden or stone, was here is unknown but by medieval times there was a stone church, from which the chancel, although altered, remains. A tower was built in the 15th century and still remains as the west tower of the church. Five bells were in the tower in 1553 and that number remained until 1870, although the bells were renewed before that date. In 1436 the vicar complained that the income from the living was insufficient. It was £4 a year and had been £8 in 1291. From the 17th century the oak altar rails and two stools remain, while a chest is dated 'M 1694'. Much of the church we see today dates from the 19th century. In 1833 the nave was rebuilt to the design of H.E. Goodridge, although 17th century plaques to the Webb family were reset in the walls. It is in cut stone with slate roofs and embattled parapets, and arcades and aisles were added in 1860.
The font, in the style of the 15th century, was given by Rowde born architect Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt in 1850. Six new church bells were cast from the old ring of five (two dated from 1639 and the others from 1654, 1709 and 1754) in 1870. The north porch was built in 1871 and an organ installed in the north chapel. It is probable that the chancel window was replaced in the same year. The pulpit of wood on a stone base was installed in 1872 in memory of the late Rev. A.B. Starkey, whose family were associated with various gifts to the village, while an oak screen was erected in 1887. In 1901 the chancel walls were raised and a new roof provided. It is possible that not a great deal of work or renovation was carried out for several centuries as the lord of the manor was often an absentee and the manor was leased to tenants. The registers from 1660, other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.
Dear Mr Davis
I have checked the burial registers for the 1902 and cannot find any record of Thomas Burton in Devizes Cemetery. Because he lived in Sandy Lane and then Rowde, I suspect that he is more likely interred in the churchyard of one of the parish churches - I have included information on the two most likely. You will see that the registers of the Rowde Church are held in the record office which you can access online.
I wish you luck with your search and please do not hesitate to contact me
Kind regards
Sarah Todhunter (Mrs)
Church of Saint Nicholas, Sandy Lane, Calne Without Modern settlement at Sandy Lane began in the 18th century and it is very much an estate village. Ecclesiastically it had come under Derry Hill, but in 1864 it was transferred to the new parish of Chittoe. The church of St. Nicholas was built in 1892 as a mission church, to the design of J.H. Hopkins. It is small and of an unusual timber construction with a steep thatched roof. The timbering is in an A form with 6 pairs of trusses resting on brick sleeper walls. The walls of the church consist of 2 timber sections with sawdust rammed between. All fittings are made of wood, except the 19th century brass oil lamps. In 1980 Chittoe church was declared redundant and Bromham and Chittoe parishes were united as a new parish of Bromham, Chittoe and Sandy Lane. Sandy Lane church became a chapel of ease in the new parish. In 1981 the church was rededicated with the present joint dedication.
Church of St. Matthew, RowdeIt would seem that there was a Saxon church in Rowde as a priest is recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. What sort of church, wooden or stone, was here is unknown but by medieval times there was a stone church, from which the chancel, although altered, remains. A tower was built in the 15th century and still remains as the west tower of the church. Five bells were in the tower in 1553 and that number remained until 1870, although the bells were renewed before that date. In 1436 the vicar complained that the income from the living was insufficient. It was £4 a year and had been £8 in 1291. From the 17th century the oak altar rails and two stools remain, while a chest is dated 'M 1694'. Much of the church we see today dates from the 19th century. In 1833 the nave was rebuilt to the design of H.E. Goodridge, although 17th century plaques to the Webb family were reset in the walls. It is in cut stone with slate roofs and embattled parapets, and arcades and aisles were added in 1860.
The font, in the style of the 15th century, was given by Rowde born architect Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt in 1850. Six new church bells were cast from the old ring of five (two dated from 1639 and the others from 1654, 1709 and 1754) in 1870. The north porch was built in 1871 and an organ installed in the north chapel. It is probable that the chancel window was replaced in the same year. The pulpit of wood on a stone base was installed in 1872 in memory of the late Rev. A.B. Starkey, whose family were associated with various gifts to the village, while an oak screen was erected in 1887. In 1901 the chancel walls were raised and a new roof provided. It is possible that not a great deal of work or renovation was carried out for several centuries as the lord of the manor was often an absentee and the manor was leased to tenants. The registers from 1660, other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.
Monday, July 14, 2008
James Burton
James Burton, brother of my great, great Grandfather, Thomas, lists his vocation as "Sawyer" in the 1851 census. He's living in "Newton" in West Tisbury. Here's a overhead view courtesy Google Maps.
It looks like Newton is still mostly farmland. I doubt that it has changed much in the last 150 years.
It looks like Newton is still mostly farmland. I doubt that it has changed much in the last 150 years.
The Burton Family of East Tisbury, Wiltshire
In 1841 the Josephy Burton family can be found living on Hindon Lane, East Tisbury, Wiltshire and working the land (in 1851 Joseph says 28 acres). I'm not sure how they decided what comprised east and west Tisbury back then, but here's an overhead view of the town courtesy Google Maps.
Forensic Genealogy
One the most exciting web sites I've discovered is devoted to helping you "read" your antique photographs. Do you have pictures of unidentified family members, obscure streetscapes, or little-known historic events stuffed in a drawer somewhere?
Well, click here and Colleen Fitzpatrick will teach you how to make sense of them. Colleen sponsors a weekly photograph identification quiz -- I'm already completely addicted -- which will help you learn to pick out the clues contained in your photographs and at least determine when they were shot. But watch out, I absolutely guarantee that you'll get hooked on your first visit.
Well, click here and Colleen Fitzpatrick will teach you how to make sense of them. Colleen sponsors a weekly photograph identification quiz -- I'm already completely addicted -- which will help you learn to pick out the clues contained in your photographs and at least determine when they were shot. But watch out, I absolutely guarantee that you'll get hooked on your first visit.
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