PORTCH family, Nunney

[genjen]

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

[PollyC.]

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.

[genjen]

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!

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

[Jo Harding]

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

[Jo Harding]

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

[Jo Harding]

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

[PollyC.]

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

[Lidfam]

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

[PollyC.]

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