RootsChat.Com

This is getting VERY interesting - particularly the fact that there is a relationship between Dobbins and Bartholomew. I should mention that I have digressed at this point from family history to house history....

In 1842 George Bartholomew owned a cottage, garden and buildings in Beacon's Bottom, Stokenchurch which was occupied by Sarah Dobbins. In 1858 he was still the owner (when he was described as Gentleman) and also in 1864 - when it was occupied by Richard Way.

A George Bartholomew died in 1878 in Fulham, following which the lease was transferred in 1881 from George William Bartholomew to Thomas/Alfred Leadbetter for 21 years (by this time it was the village beerhouse). George William Bartholomew (presumably junior) died in 1892 in Kingston.

I assume that you have followed the Bartholomews round in the censuses from Watlington to Hemel Hemstead to Harrow to Kingston. I have not been able to find them in the 1861 census, but some of the children were born around then in Fulham.

As for the Dobbins, I have not been able to find out much. Sarah Dobbins was occupying the property in 1842 (Tithe notes) although I can't find her in the 1841 census. In the 1851 census she was a Visitor (born Stokenchurch c1807, but don't know her maiden name as haven't been able to find her marriage) in Southwark where she was described as "Landed Proprietor". She died on 1.8.1854 at 45 Gravel Lane, Southwark aged 48, widow of John Dobbins Farmer. I see that the informant was a Mary Kingwell - am I dreaming, or was this one of your surnames of interest as well?

I haven't been able to find any more details about John Dobbins at all. Where in London did Henry Dobbins marry Sarah Pitkin? - it would be neat if it were Southwark!

I am thinking along the lines now that the house perhaps originally belonged to the Pitkin family as the Bartholomews did not appear to be local. Having said that, Bartholomew Tipping was a local benefactor around then and I wonder whether there was a connection. There are certainly Pitkins still around now, I think.

I look forward to your further thoughts.

I have just come across this discussion and note the mentions of both Dobbins and George Bartholomew, both of which I am interested in. I have a Sarah Dobbins in the Stokenchurch area - cannot find her in the 1841 census and my first sighting of her is 1842. She died in Surrey in 1854, widow of John Dobbins farmer, and was buried in Stokenchurch. Ring any bells?

My records of George William Bartholomew (the name of both father and son) span from 1841 and they seemed to move all over the place but with strong connections to Stokenchurch and Watlington.

Would be happy to share information.