WITHERS - where to go from here?

[Allybee1062]

Hi all,

I'm trying to find my husband's GGGG Grandfather's birth information.  His name is Charles WITHERS and according to all the census (up to his death between 1861 and 1871), he records his birthplace as Bristol, Gloucestershire.  Using his age on the census, he would have been born around 1800.   He married a girl named Sarah who was born in Hackney, Middlesex about 1797.  Their first child was born in London in 1821 so I'm presuming he moved to London sometime before 1820.  I don't know any more than this.  Where do I go from here?  Do I need to trawl through all the parish records for Bristol?  Was there a "main" parish in Bristol at this time that I could try first?  His occupation was a Brush maker.  His sons and grandsons also became Brush Makers.  Is there a directory from that long ago?  Perhaps his father was one also?  I've tried the IGI but can't find anything.

Sorry.... so many questions....

Alison

[BlackPearl]

Hi Alison

Your Charles Withers doesn't appear to have died between 1861 and 1871 as you stated - I found him in 1881 for you:

Charles Withers, Inmate, W. 81, b. St. Pauls, Bristol, Brushmaker
Address: Edmonton Union Workhouse, Edmonton, Middlesex, England.

and in the transcription of the 1861 on 1837online:

WITHERS, Charles Head Married M 61  Fancy ...Maker Bristol Gloucestershire
WITHERS, Sarah Wife Married F 64  Middlesex 
WITHERS, James John Son Unmarried M 23  Mill Sawyer St Pancras Middlesex 
WITHERS, Chas John Visitor Unmarried M 8  St Pancras Middlesex 
WITHERS, Thomas Visitor Unmarried M 6  St Pancras Middlesex
Address:
4, Victoria Cottages, Victoria Grove West North Side, Hornsey 
RG09 Piece 791 Folio 108 Page 36

and in 1871:
Charles Withers Lodger (with the Newcombe ? Family - hard to read) Wid. 71. Brick Maker b. Somerset Bristol

I'll see what else I can find for you!

Joanne 

[BlackPearl]

Hi again

Charles and Sarah were in London in 1841:

WITHERS, Charles M 43   Not born in County
WITHERS, Sarah F 43  Middlesex 
WITHERS, Henry M 19  Middlesex   
WITHERS, Emma F 15  Middlesex   
WITHERS, Clara F 9  Middlesex   
WITHERS, Louisa F 6  Middlesex   
WITHERS, James M 4  Middlesex   
WITHERS, Charles M 12  Middlesex   

Address:
West Street, St Pancras, Marylebone 
RG Number: HO107 Piece 685 Folio 4/11 Page 16

Charles was a Brushmaker, Henry's occupation was either Flour Maker or Horse Worker! Can't make my mind up what it says!  Emma has the same occupation.  Occuption for 12 year old Charles looks like it say Primitive - hm notsure what that is all about lol!

Joanne 
 
 

[Allybee1062]

Hi Joanne,

Thankyou for all your help.  How on earth did you find him in 1871 and 1881?  I searched and searched and couldn't find him (or Sarah), so presumed they must have died between the 1861 and 1871 census.  I have the 1841, 51 and 61 for them and there is a Charles Withers on the FreeBMD deaths during that time so unfortunately put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5!  (Probably a lesson in that for all of us not to presume ANYTHING!)

So I guess that means that my next port of call will be the St Paul's Parish Registers in Bristol?

Thanks again.

Alison

PS:  I think Charles' occupation was a painter or printer?  and Henry and Emma's occupation is a Flower Maker as in Artificial Flowers.  Henry goes on to become a House Decorator... 

[Helina]

Hi

May not be any connection or help to you but my Great Aunt married into the Withers family in 1910,

Robert Withers b 1806, Olveston m 1833 Charlotte Curtis b 1811 Bristol. Had 7 children.
Charles b 1846
Charlotte b 1851
Clara b 1841
Eliza b 1833
Frances b 1836
George b 1844
Thomas b 1839

.....................................................................................

Another Withers side

John Cory Withers b 1805 m Mary b 1799, 2 children
John Cory b 1838 (who married my Great Aunt, he was 72 she 55)
Mara b 1830

....................................................................................

I have not done much research into  these families, but may be helpfull one day.

helina

[Valda]

Possible marriage

1820 Hackney, Middlesex 
Chas Withers
Sarah Norman 

Regards

Valda

[Allybee1062]

Thanks Valda.  I had already found that marriage on Pallots Marriage Index.  I will have to look at the Parish Records to know for sure if that's them.  It seems likely though.  That would mean he moved from Bristol as a teenager.  I wonder if the whole family moved, or just Charles?  I'm yet to look at the St Paul's Parish Register's to see if I can find his baptism.  Still a mystery.

Helina, I'll keep your  information, and if I find a connection, I'll let you know.

[annieRN]

I have a large Withers family from the Midsummer Norton area of Somerset.  They are listed on a rootsweb site Somerset Coalfield connections.  I can't link with Charles though.
           Anne

[Roxy12]

Just looking through some old posts and noticed you were looking for the Withers family. I maiden name is Withers and my family as far as I can find came from Somerset mainly Bristol and a small village called Priston. I am having lots of problems sorting my family out but amongst my papers I have a few Charles Withers's.

My Great Grandfather was George Withers ( 1880) who left to find work in the South Wales Valleys and his father was Henry Withers.

If you get this e mail perhaps we could chat.

Thanks