............ continuation of previous message ..............
Another son of Thomas and Eliza OWEN of The Square, Bridgnorth, was Arthur OWEN, bap’ 1 Jan 1868 at St. Leonard’s, Bridgnorth. This would be the Arthur, age 3, on the 1871 listed with his grand parents as sons son. His mother Eliza had died the previous month.
Arthur OWEN, age 44, Clerk of Cann Hall, was buried on 13 Jan 1912 in the same plot as his parents but isn’t recorded on the memorial!
Eliza OWEN nee NEWELL, age 35, died 3 March, buried 7 March 1871. (Source – Burial book)
Another Thomas OWEN (not the son of Thomas, born in Quatford) married Harriet MATTHEWS on 16 July 1848 at St. Mary’s, Bridgnorth.
Thomas was of full age, bachelor, Mechanic of Spital Street. Father = John OWEN, a Millwright.
Harriet was of full age, spinster of Listley Street. Father = Thomas MATTHEWS, a Gardener.
Witnesses - Thomas - -? and Emma MATTHEWS. (Source – GRC transcript)
On the 1851, 1861 & 1871 census he was listed as various types of Millwright, born in Kidderminster.
There is a Thomas OWEN, Head Mechanic, one of nine people on a photograph in a booklet “Weaving in Bridgnorth”
Harriet OWEN, nee MATTHEWS, died age 57 and was buried on 5 Dec 1876. I have photographed the headstone. (Source – Burial book)
On 15 April 1880 at St. Mary’s Bridgnorth, this widower Thomas OWEN married Elizabeth OWEN, born c.1831 the daughter of your Thomas & Elizabeth nee BEARD.
Thomas, age 65? (not clear) Widower, Engineer of Cann Hall, Mill Street. Father = John OWEN, an Engineer.
Elizabeth OWEN, age 48, Spinster of Cann Hall, Mill Street. Father = Thomas OWEN, a Builder.
Witnesses – George Morris and ? Jackson.
(Source – GRC transcript)
On the 1881 Bridgnorth census transcript, Elizabeth OWEN nee BEARD, age 75 is wrongly listed as Mother (of Thomas) in the house of Thomas & (her daughter) Elizabeth OWEN.
The 1891 Bridgnorth census is correct, Elizabeth OWEN nee BEARD, age 86 is listed as Mother in Law (of Thomas) in the house of Thomas & (her daughter) Elizabeth OWEN.
Elizabeth OWEN, b.1831 died 21 Jan 1909, age 77. I have photographed the headstone. (Source – Burial book) The headstone inscription is wrong stating she was buried in 1910. The sequentially dated burial book definitely gives 1909.
Her husband Thomas OWEN, (born in Kidderminster) died 1 June 1899, age 79. I have photographed the headstone. (Source – Burial book)
Sources used;
GRC book = my own published book “Bridgnorth – News and Events between 1852 and 1900” An index to events mentioned in the local newspaper The Bridgnorth Journal.
Burial book = Bridgnorth Municipal Cemetery burial records from 1855 onwards that I have transcribed into a data base.
GRC transcript = my own transcript of marriages in St. Mary’s Bridgnorth not on the IGI.
My transcript of M.I’s in Quatford Church = available through Shropshire Family History Society.
Within a day or two, I’ll put some photographs on a web page so that you can download any you want.
Gwynne
