William James Davis - Dead End

[sheppysearch]

Have been unable to  track down my great grandfather William James Davis.  Only record is in 1901 on Minster Sheppy census with second wife Fanny and Father -in-law William Spillett.  He is listed as b 1867 Hollingbourne. His marriage certificate gives birth as 1865 - no father listed.  I have searched all census and BDM leads but can not find him. He was known as Jim so could possibly be listed as James  in Census.

To add to confusion I cannot find his son William Arthur Davis (great uncle Bill) by his first marriage either. His marriage certificate gives his birth as 1889, I don't know where, but he lived later Sheerness. I wonder why he was not with his father when he re-married - possibly with the  first wife's family ?

Any ideas or leads gratefully received.

[alcrighton]

Hi Sheppysearch,

I found this entry in the 1891 census for Milton, Kent:

Ref: RG12/717 Folio 19 Page 26
Address: 9 Flushing Street (Lodging House)

James DAVIS, Head Lodger, M, 26, General Labourer, b. Kent, Harrietsham
Alice DAVIS, Lodger (Wife), M, 26, b. Sussex, Brighton
William DAVIS, Lodger (Son), S, 2, b. ditto

Some of the text has been crossed out and I've represented this with the strikethrough.

Could this be your Great Grandfather, his first wife and your great uncle Bill?  Harrietsham is about 3 miles from Hollingbourne.

Regards,

Allan

[cep]

1881 there is a James Davis, age 17, in the Hollingbourn Workhouse
Birthplace given as Hollingbourn Union, Kent

This implies he was born in the workhouse?

1871 there is a James Davis, age 7, b. Harrietsham, living with his grandfather, also James Davis, in Harrietsham

Also 1871 there is Rosy ? Davis, age 6, b. Hollingbourne, living with her grandfather John Davis, in Boxley


Regards   CP

[sheppysearch]

Allan & CP

Many thanks for this - the Harrietsham link of a James Davis with a son William looks promising - also the lack of a father! I will try and check out the birth for his full name.

Nick K