PORTCH family, Nunney

[Jo Harding]

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

[Jo Harding]

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.

[LorraineP]

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

[LorraineP]

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

[Jo Harding]

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.

[LorraineP]

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.