alston bramwells

[JenBram]

just getting going but hope to find info on the bramwells of alston, lived at 14 front st south, ran a watchmakers shop.  more detailed info when i can, please help if you know anything - ta!

[Paul E]

Hi Jen

There are a couple of Bramwell families living in Alston in the 1891 census, but these look like coal dealers / farmers.
Do you know when the shop opened?

best wishes

Paul

[JenBram]

Hi paul, i like yr photo!  I have Thomas Bramwell's will (he died 18/02/1907).  He left the shop to his son William Charles (seems to have been known only by Charles - grrr!)  I know that in 1881 Thomas (b1836) and Elizabeth (b1830) were living at 14 front st south, alston with their kids Alfred (b1859), Charles (b1861), Emily (b1865), Miriam (b1867) and Albert (b1869).  But I don't know anything before that...Thanks for your interest...Jen

[Paul E]

From 1871:

Albert BRAMWELL, 2, Son
Alfred BRAMWELL, 12, Son
Elizabeth BRAMWELL, 41, Wife
Elliot BRAMWELL, 20, Brother
Emily BRAMWELL, 6, Daur
JAMES BRAMWELL, 18, Brother
Miriam BRAMWELL, 4, Daur
Thomas BRAMWELL, 35, Head
William C BRAMWELL, 10, Son

all born and living in Alston

I can't give you the job for Thomas as the image is not available for this census page

cheers

Paul

[Paul E]

Interestingly, this Thomas and family aren't on the 1891 census (at least not in Alston, and not showing as elsewhere as 'born Alston').  There is another Thomas, age 46, but he appears in 1871 as 26 - so a different Thomas.

Elliot BRAMWELL (Thomas's brother) is shown living in Darlington - watchmaker, aged 40, married with family.

James BRAMWELL, by now 38, is living in Stockton on Tees with wife and family, working as a hosier.

cheers

Paul

[JenBram]

Great Paul, thanks a lot ;-))) have noted that, will add it to my increasingly disorganised pile of papers! Wonder if they did a runner?  The shop, when Charles had it, was also listed as some kind of booking office for ships passage so maybe they hopped the pond briefly?  I know at least Alfred came back, he's one of mine! Cheers jen

update - just realised I know Alfred was b1889 in Goole (lincs or yorks?) so maybe they were there.  will keep sorting & thinking.  ta again for help. jen

[Kiwiham]

Great Paul, thanks a lot ;-))) have noted that, will add it to my increasingly disorganised pile of papers! Wonder if they did a runner?  The shop, when Charles had it, was also listed as some kind of booking office for ships passage so maybe they hopped the pond briefly?  I know at least Alfred came back, he's one of mine! Cheers jen

update - just realised I know Alfred was b1889 in Goole (lincs or yorks?) so maybe they were there.  will keep sorting & thinking.  ta again for help. jen

Whole family is "one of mine". All info I have shows deaths in England (except John Ivan Bramwell who died WW2 middle east).

[pwitz]

Jen

Sitting in front of me on the desk is a small silver ladies' pocket watch and inside is a piece of paper which says "C. Bramwell Watch and Clock Maker, Jeweller & Silversmith, ALSTON - wedding rings &c."

As I think I told you before my husband was born in Alston and I think this  was his mother's watch. Not sure how old it is though.

If it's any help to you Kelly's Directory has Thomas Bramwell - watchmaker and photographer in 1894, and 1897, but in 1906 and 1910 Charles Bramwell -  watchmaker.

Hubby just got home and says that the watch was inherited from his Mum's Aunt Margaret, who was the wife of Joseph Bramwell.

Polly

[JenBram]

Hi Polly

How lovely about the watch! I will dig out my Bramwell file and have a nose, then get back to you. (Got a new puppy to deal with so am not online so much at the mo).

I am fairly sure I have a lot more info since I first posted, and have come across several other researchers from this line. 

I also went to the Bramwell jewellery shops in Durham this summer but the owner wasn't there to waffle to.

Thanks for your interest. x Jen

PS - Hello Kiwiham; I will be pm'ing you soon as well. Spotted your Brammer question too, v interesting.  x Jen