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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: genjen on Saturday 30 September 06 21:22 BST (UK)
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Hi,
I am looking for anyone with links to Edwin Portch, born around 1845/6 in Nunney, Somerset. ( Do I mean Nunney - that's what it looks like on census forms but I'm not very familiar with Somerset so please correct me if I am wrong)
I have found Edwin P. in Lee (1881), Deptford (1891) and Lewisham(1901). Haven't checked earlier censuses yet but will do asap.
If anyone has Portchs in their tree, I'd love to hear from you.
Regards,
Jen
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Hi Jen,
I've recently started to research my grand mother's side of the family. Her mother was Clara Louisa Portch born 1876.
Where is Nunney?
I also just discovered here on rootschat that the name Portch was often given to foundlings. Do you know anything about this? I find it all fascinating.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Polly C.
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Hi Polly,
This post was originally connected to some research which I was doing for a friend and I have handed over all the information to her now. Her branch of the Portch family was based in Somerset, around Nunney, Frome and Bradford on Avon but I can't remember a great deal about them, apart from that they were yeoman farmers. It was, in general a middle to upper class family tree, with some very well off people - I don't think foundlings came into their reckoning at all! ;D
Where was your Clara born? I can't see her on free BMD. Do you have her in any censuses? I'm quite happy to have a look for her if it would help.
Jen :)
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Hello Jen,
Nunney is a very old village on the old road from Frome to Shepton Mallet. There is an ancient castle there and the church is very old and historic. Even today, it is quaint and a peaceful haven.
http://www.nunneycastle.co.uk and http://nunney.org
I cannot find Edwin PORTCH in Nunney baptisms. These are online on the Frome Group site at http://www.gomezsmart.myzen.co.uk
There is a PORTCH baptism in Nunney in 22/12/1839, Fanny Rhoda, daughter of Giles and Hester PORTCH of Sharpshaw Farm, Yeoman.
Freereg has a baptism of Henrietta PORTCH at Stoke Lane on 16/02/1840. She was daughter of Samuel and Matilda PORTCH, Abode: The Fosse in the parish of Stoke Lane. Father was a Yeoman.
I will have a further look round to see what I can find.
Jo
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Hello again,
I think there may be a name variant of PORTCH and PORCH should be considered as well.
There are 2 marriages in Nunney in 1855:
19/12/1855 Elizabeth Fanny PORTCH to Edmund RICH. Fathers John Rich and Giles PORTCH. Witnesses were: Thomas Baby and Fanny West.
20/12/1855 Henry PORTCH to Elizabeth Ann WILLIAMS. Fathers Giles Portch and James Brown. Witnesses were: Charles Brise and Fanny Portch.
The Frome Local Group site has many references to the PORTCH family and by entering the name in the search box, you obtain a number of hits. It looks to me as though the family has strong connections with Frome, about 3 miles from Nunney.
Jo
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The birth of Edwin PORTCH was registered in Frome RD in the March quarter of 1846, volume 10, page 438.
I have found his baptism eventually and it is online on the Frome Group site at Frome St John. 27/03/1846 Edwin James PORTCH, son of Giles and Esther PORTCH of Sharpshaw Farm, Nunney. Father shown as a Yeoman.
http://www.gomezsmart.myzen.co.uk
Jo
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Hi
Sorry not to reply sooner and thankyou for your comments.
My Ggrandmother Clara Portch was born in Westbury on Trym Gloucestershire about 1876. Clara's mother ,Fanny, was unmarried in all census I have found until 1901. She was born about 1850 also Westbury. 1891 census says she had a daughter Kate born in Barton Regis workhouse in 1872.
I think I found Fanny's parents in the 1851 census. He was Thomas Portchfrom Westbury Gloucester, she was Susan Portch from Gloucester.
I have the census info and am not quite sure where to go now .
Any ideas?
Polly
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Hi Jen.
My interest in the name Portch comes from Edith Lydbury, who married Thomas Portch on 7 July 1824 at Nunney. They had a son Thomas, who was born before their marriage, and was baptised Lydbury, but alternated between the surnames Lydbury and Portch all of his life.
From correspondance with another Portch researcher, sadly now deceased, it seems that the Thomas who married Edith was the half brother of Giles Portch of Sharpshaw Farm. (Giles married Hester West in 1829). Their father, also Giles Portch married twice, firstly to Martha Eatel 14 Feb. 1778, and secondly to Susanna Williams 4 Apr. 1794. Thomas was the son of the first marriage, and Giles was the son of the second.
There is a reference under the Bradford-On-Avon, Wilts. Independant baptisms (Morgans Hill) 1778-1837 , 26 Dec. 1779 Thomas Portch (born 1 Dec. 1779) son of Giles and Martha Portch. Also under Bradford-On-Avon Wilts. Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion Baptisms 1794-1838, 9 July 1797 Giles Portch (born 12 Apr 1797) son of Giles and Susanna . My correspondant told me that it was possible that the elder Giles was baptised at a Lady Huntingdon Chapel, which used Anglican Services and clergy, without being part of the Established Church, and although there was such a Chapel in Bradford, it's records do not begin soon enough for Giles. He says that it is probable that his parents were George Portch and Ann Self(e) married at Bradford 12 Jan. 1744, but it has not been confirmed.
None of the above has been verified by me personally, but it gives you a definite starting point. It also appears that Edwin Portch was the son of Giles Portch and Hester West, and so my Thomas was his uncle. Hope some of this is of interest.
Dale
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Thanks Dale
This is very interesting and I've been trying to make a connection with my Thomas Portch(c1827) he was married to Susan Portch c1825 These were my ggg grandparents. His birth place is put as Glouc. Westbury and hers Morton.
I found this info on the 1851 census and then in 1861 he is gone and Susan is with William Ryder. I couldn't find him in 1841.
Thanks again
Polly
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Hi Polly,
Noticed that this post is quite old now so maybe you've already got this info.
I have Thomas Portch and wife Susan on my tree they were my ggggrandparents. Thomas died young and Susan remarried quite quickly - an Edward Lintern/Linton/Lusting/ depending on your choice of transcription!I have been trying to find Susan's maiden name but haven't had any luck so far.
Thomas appears on the 1841 census in Westbury aged 14 living with William and Sarah Portch 60 and 59 respectively and two other people I believe were his sisters, Sarah and Emma 20 and 17.
I don't know if William and Sarah were Thos parents or grandparents but still looking!
Regards
Mike
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I've just found these entries - have also just started looking into the Frome Portch's.
I'm looking for information on Stephen Hunt Portch (c.1833-1894), son of Giles and Hester Portch?. Census information give his birth location as Frome Vauchurch? He moved down to London and the family continued in London to present date.
I've hit Giles through Stephen's marriage certificate, so am assuming that the family home was Sharpshaw Farm, Nunney.
Any information re this would be much appreciated. I'm not familiar with the area and am wondering also if i was to arrange to visit the area where would be the best places to look for information on the family.
Thanks.
Lorrraine
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Hello LorraineP,
Freereg has baptisms for Stephen Hunt Portch as follows:
Frome, St John the Baptist.
1 March 1833 baptised Stephen Hunt Portch, son of George and Sarah Portch. Abode Critchill. Occupation of father: Farmer.
12 November 1834, baptised Stephen Hunt Portch, son of Giles and Hester Portch. Abode: Sharpshaw Farm. Occupation: Yeoman.
There are many other baptisms for Portch children in Frome around that time. Also baptisms in surrounding places as Holcombe, Stoke Lane and more.
There is a baptism for an Elizabeth Fanny Portch in Nunney on 12 March 1833. She was the daughter of Giles and Hester Portch whose abode was shown as Sharpshaw Farm, Nunney. Father's occupation: Yeoman.
See Freereg http://freereg1.freereg.org.uk/search/index.shtml
Jo.
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Thanks for the info Jo.
That has put me in a proper pickle. 2 of them in a year! I guess they ran out of imagination for names. My new task is to get proof of who is who. I'll order birth and marriage certificates for stephen's son to check father's occupation. Also have searched ancestry and find my past and only found 1 Stephen hunt Portch - may be that only 1 survived to adulthood.
Must admit that I'm very new to this - have only been researching for 2 months. Thought the Portch line would be easy as not common 😕.
Thanks again, Lorraine.
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Hello LorraineP,
In your first post you say that you found the name of Giles Portch from Stephen's marriage certificate. This should give you the correct identity of his father, assuming you have the right Stephen that is.
I cannot find a burial up to 1855 for the Stephen Hunt Portch, son of George and Sarah Portch.
A search shows that Sharpshaw Farm, Nunney, still exists, see this;
http://www.visitnunney.com/index.php/little-sharpshaw-solar-farm/?doing_wp_cron=1455101008.9356169700622558593750
There are numerous sites with information on this family. The Frome Local Group site has very many entries for the Portch family of Nunney, plus others including George and Sarah Portch of Critchill Farm, Frome. I suspect that George and Giles Portch must be related, could they be brothers?
http://www.fromeresearch.org.uk/
I have noticed that the name is often mistranscibed as Partch.
There is an entry for a Will of Giles Portch in the records. This shows a Will with a Probate date of 1854. It would be a good idea to get his Will as that should give you more information.
In the 1851 census, his widow, Hester, is shown at Sharpshaw Farm and it seems that must have been quite a size, it says she is a Farmer of 200 acres employing 6 labourers. There are 6 children in the household, including Stephen.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Jo.
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I found this marriage on Freereg:
http://freereg1.freereg.org.uk/cgi/SearchResults.pl?RecordType=Marriages&RecordID=3521275&v=MTQ1NTEwMDczOTpiZDFmYzRkNmZmMzdlMDlkMTlmZTc5ZTZkODNjMDY5OWI2NGNhNDVm
Jo.
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I realise you asked for advice on where you can access information on your family when you visit Somerset. The Somerset Record Office is in Taunton. This will give you all the records that are available for Somerset research. http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/
The problem is that Nunney is quite a distance from Taunton. There is some material in the library in Frome. This covers an area local to there and around the Nunney area. You might want to visit the Frome Museum which has a variety of displays and other exhibits.
https://fromemuseum.wordpress.com/
There are some local history books available and these are on sale in Frome Museum amongst other places.
The Somerset and Dorset Family History Society also have some books available on their site:
http://www.sdfhs.org/
There is one on Nunney specifically. There are a number on Frome as well.
Jo.
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I have these on my line as well. Hester was unable to keep Sharpshaw Farm going for long after Giles died. There are notices in the local paper regarding the sale of assets. Hester moved to Frome town where she worked as a nurse (or possibly matron) at the Blue House which was an almshouse. The building is still standing and is currently used as sheltered accommodation. After a number of years she became an 'inmate' of the almshouse and ended her days there. The children seem to have scattered to the four winds - one of the girls married a publican, one of the boys became a postmaster, another of the daughters moved to Bath and a couple of the boys emigrated to Toronto in Canada. Like you I'm having a bit of trouble nailing Steven Hunt Portch down. He was the executor for his maiden aunt but other than that kept a bit of a low profile. Hester's father John West was from the Trowbridge area and had a couple of businesses at least - one of which was an insurance agent although he was described in some journals as a banker. He was in partnership with his brother in law and two others but it would appear that there was some financial trouble and there was an insolvency involved. Hester's mother went to live at Sharpshaw Farm and it seems she died there - there is a will available which describes her estate. Hope that helps.
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Thank you both for replying (and so fast). I'm presently sifting my way through the marriages and baptisms from Frome (had to start somewhere).
I've been working my way back from my dad, who died 8 years ago Dad knew nothing about his family at all, his father didn't talk about his parents so i've had to work from certificates and census information only.
Stephen Alfred Portch (1894-1957), son of John William Portch (1864-1917) and Mary Cecelia Sapsford (1864-1899).
John William's father was Stephen Hunt Portch. This was acknowledged in John William's marriage register, which said Stephen Hunt Portch was a carman, in London.
I've gone backwards through the census and found in 1851 a Stephen Portch, from Frome in Somersetshire (at that time an agricultural labourer), living at 143 Broadway, Trinity, Frome, Somerset - but his father was George!! - now i know this is the wrong man - so will have to look again for the correct census information.
I've set up a spreadsheet, trying to log information from each census and trying to match householders but now will have to do further searching to see if i can clarify/separate the Stephen Hunt Portch's.
I'll continue to look into this. I've only found ONE Stephen Hunt Portch's death (died Jan-Mar 1894).
Have also found in the Times that a Stephen Portch was imprisoned in 1865 for stealing a sack of malt - he served 6 months.
Lots to look into - thankfully i've got Ancestry membership for a while so i can continue searching in the hope of clarifying some of this data.
I've attached the transcription of Stephen Hunt's marriage certificate - giving Giles as his father.
Thanks again, Lorraine
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Just to say that in mu posy about places to go for information, I omitted Bath Archives which would be a good place to start and much nearer to that area.
http://www.batharchives.co.uk/
Jo
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There are 2 entries for Stephen Portch in the 1851 census. One is living with the family of George and Sarah Portch in Broadway, Frome. The other is with Hester Portch in Nunney.
In the 1881 census, there are also 2 entries for Stephen Portch. There is a Stephen Hunt Portch, born Nunney, age 46, living with wife Elizabeth, age 50, born Bristol, plus 5 children, in Goswell Road, Finsbury. Then there is a Stephen Portch, age 47, born Frome, Waggoner, living with wife Elizabeth, age 52, born Kingston (?) Herefordshire, there are no children, address is 38 Grove Street, Wolverhampton.
It seems a very confusing picture as we have 2 men by the name of Stephen Portch, both with wives by the name of Elizabeth, living in different places in 1881. The Stephen Portch in Wolverhampton, looks to be the son of George and Sarah Portch.
The London Electoral Registers show Stphen Hunt Portch living in 8 Goswell Road, Finsbury in 1883.
I think you can be certain that your Stephen Hunt Portch was living in London.
Jo.
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Thank you both so much for all this information.
Looks like my weekend has suddenly filled up with much looking up.
And my next few days off work will be in the Frome/Bath/Nunney areas having a nose at records and suchlike.
Lorraine ;D
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Jo,
One quick question - you say there's a will - where did you find reference to this? I'll order a copy then.
Many thanks,
Lorraine
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The reference to a Will for Giles Portch was found on the Frome Local research site:
http://www.fromeresearch.org.uk/
It has lists of Wills for people in the Frome area. It shows an entry for Giles Portch, date 1854, Nunney, Box IR26/260 Folio 69.
It says that these wills can be seen on microfilm at the Somerset Record Office and at other archives. It adds that indexes to these are available at the Probate Search Rooms, High Holborn, London.
I suggest you go to that site, enter Portch in the search box and scroll down the first page of 32 items. There is an item third from the bottom, this is headed,"Estate Duty Wills 1805-1857". The reference to Giles Portch is highlighted in that section. Click on the heading and it shows further information on these items.
Jo.
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I've spent some time sifting through census and baptism records and think i've separated the 2 Stephen Hunt Portch's
Giles Portch (1801-1851) married Hester (Esther) West (c.1808-1879).
Their children were: Giles Henry (b.1830), Stephen Hunt (1834-1894), James Staunton (1838-1866), Fanny Rhoda (1840-1860), Thomas West (b.1832), Henry (1831-1866), John West (b.c.1837), Charles Henry (b.1841), Albert E. (1843-1910 - d.York, Ontario, Canada), Edwin James (1846-1910), Elizabeth Fanny (b.c.1834), Hester Susanne (1848-1894)
Giles' son Stephen Hunt married Elizabeth Sidney on 24th August 1857. Lived and died in London.
George Portch (c.1800-1872) married Sarah Ellen Pallett (1801-1835), then Sarah Symkins (1801-1866).
Their children were: Betsey (b.1827), Jane (1829-1846), George Richard (1831-1902), Stephen Hunt (1833-1886), William (b.1835), John (b.1836), Charles (b.1838), Emma (b.1832), Harriet (1834-1889).
George's son Stephen Hunt married Elizabeth?. From the census he has a stepson (surname Price/Pruce), but i can't see any children. He died in Wolverhampton.