John William PACKHAM b 1861

[np-sheffield]

I'm researching my ggg.Grandfather, John William PACKHAM.  We have a birth certificate for him, born 6th June 1861 in Ash, Aldershot (100 years to the day before me!), giving his mother as Sarah Ann PACKHAM.  We have nothing for them in the 1861 Census, nor for JW in the 1871 or 1881 census, but pick up his life again when enlisting for military service in Brighton in July 1879. He gave his occupation as 'Labourer'.  Not unreasonably we therefore think the family could have originated from Brighton or the surrounds, but where?

We then know quite a lot about him. He married Annie ECCLESTON in West Felton near Oswestry, Shropshire, they had 13 children, and he served in the Welsh Borderers until retiring and becoming a publican.  It is reputed that Annie committed suicide around 1910 and after 1920 JW disappeared and we know nothing of what came of him.

Any information on John William, or his mother Sarah Ann, or his wherabouts after 1920 would be fascinating.

Neil

[Ecneps]

Hi Neil,

What was JW's father's name? 

Barbara
 

[rosie99]

Hi Neil

Do you think this could be him in 1881 
RG11  1099 / f10  page 13
43 Ellen Street, Hove, Sussex

John Packam  place of birth not given  age 21 unmarried - a carter

lodging with George Stringer and family

also resident at this address George Packam also age 21 bn Hurst Sussex

Rosie

[np-sheffield]

Thanks for the replies.

Barbera - There is no father on the birth certificate.  The family rumour is that his father was the son of a senior military officer (the Aldershot part) who 'took advantage' of Sarah Ann whilst in service, but then supported JW financially through his life.  He certainly had enough money to buy a pub and a house in the same street when he retired from the Army, quite a feat on a Colour Sergeants pension.  We did wonder if his decision to join the Welsh Borderers rather than a local regiment could be significant, but I doubt we'll ever know for sure.

Curiously, he gives a name of John Packham - Salesman as father at his marriage.  Either this is made up, or Sarah Ann was married to John Sr. but John Sr. was not the father of John William.  We can't find them in the 1861 or the 1871. There are a small number of candidates Sarah Ann, but this is pure conjecture as we dont know if she was married at the time of JW's birth or not. We only have her name on the birth certificate.

Rosie - Sadly these are unlikely to be John William as he had joined up in 1879.  He was posted to Colchester at the time of 1881 Census.  Interestingly we have only ever found one other Packham born in Aldershot, James b. about 1860 and that is the only mention we ever found of him too in 1881! Nothing before or since.

We have surmised that they might be a military family with an overseas posting.  Do you have any idea as to how we might find that out?

[rosie99]

Hi Neil

Does it give an address in Ash on his birth certificate? 

Rosie

[avm228]

Hi Neil

Does it give an address in Ash on his birth certificate? 

Rosie

I was going to ask the same thing! Given that he was born in June, young John won't appear in the 1861 census (taken in April) but it would be interesting to see who was at the birth address on census day.

Anna

[rosie99]

Hi

I can't look at it as I don't have census access but there is a Sarah Peckham bn 1836, Surrey living in Ash in 1861 on the An**try index.

Rosie

[np-sheffield]

Rosie - yes Ash, Aldershot.

[rosie99]

Neil

Ash is a village on the outskirts of Aldershot.  Ash is in Surrey, Aldershot is in Hampshire though the postal address nowadays is Ash, Aldershot, Hampshire it comes under Surrey County Council. 

Hopefully someone will be able to look at the census entry for a Sarah PECKHAM as per my other post, in case it's her.

Rosie