Charles and James Matthews marriages

[nelwild]

Hello,
please can anyone find possible marriages for:

Charles Matthews born 1830 Steyning,Sussex and Mary born 1827 Yorkshire,according to 1871(mis-transcribed Apasta Mathena)

and

James Matthews born 1836 Huddersfield and Phenbridge born 1836 Huddersfield according to 1871.

Ive searched for ages but cant see anything that seems to fit.

I seem to recall a family who used the name Fambridge or something similar quite a lot,but cant remember who they were.

If anyone can help id be grateful,
thanks,

Nel.

[CitizenSmith]

Hi Nel

I'm the researcher with an interest in the forename Fam(e)bridge and variants: it was the name of my 3xgreat-grandmother. She was Fambridge Smith from the East Anglian Smiths but you also find the name in the Draper family of Herts/Bucks/Beds and the Essex Lees and Kemps.

Was the James Matthews you're looking for a showman? I've got a note of a Famebridge Matthews, wife of Jemmy, born c1831, known as Faney/Famey/Femi, that Frances Brown, the author of "Fairfield Folk", passed to me years back. I think the couple may be mentioned in the book but Frances didn't know any more about Famebridge, such as her surname. I seem to remember that they travelled in southern counties - Hampshire, Sussex etc.

I'd be interested to have the census reference so I can take a look - thanks.

Best wishes
Sharon

[CitizenSmith]

Hi again Nel

I've tracked down some additional old notes on Fam(e)bridge Matthews, again received from Frances Brown:

Frances - who is a Matthews descendant and expert – says that the couple had the following children:

- Job (1855-1907), married a Matilda
- Bill, possibly married a woman with the surname Purry
- Mary Ann, married William Smith
- Tilda, married a Hedges
- Lydia, buried Elstead, Surrey, 8 March 1906 aged 36

Famebridge was buried in Elstead in April 1913, aged 82.

Independently, I've also found James and Famebridge in the 1901 and 1911 censuses:

- in 1901 at Thursley, Surrey (RG13 618 folio 16), where FindMyPast have transcribed Fambridge's name as Phamal. Here some of the couple's children seem to be part of a sizeable encampment with them

- in 1911 at Deadwater, Bordon Camp, Hants, where Fambridge's name is indexed by FindMyPast as Fanbridge Matthews.

The birthplaces in these censuses suggest that James and Famebridge were Sussex people, rather than the Yorkshire indication of 1871, and travelled through Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Kent.

Best wishes
Sharon

[nelwild]

Hello Sharon,

many thanks for all this.

The reference for the 1871 entry is class rg10,piece 726,folio 43 page 80.

Most of the names are mis-transcribed,with my connection Walter being Waller,and theres also a Rogh,i cant work out what thats meant to be.
Next to them is James and his family,i already had him down as a possible sibling for Charles,but cant yet recall where it came from,almost certainly circumstantial and not confirmed.

I had Job,Mary Ann(1859) and Lydia(1869) for James children.In addition i have:

Maria(1863)

John(1865)

Louisa(1868)

Phoebe(1869)

Eliza(1871)

Ive had the book Fairfield Folk for a long time,long before i found this possible connection,and have been trying to connect this Charles to this Matthews family ever since.The evidence is  compelling,such as same first names,birth-places etc,but as  of yet i havent made a definate connection.I do feel im getting close though.

The earliest i have for my Charles is 1861,when hes with his wife and six kids in house-carts,birth places all unknown.
Stopping with them is a family of Aires,first names not given,wife born 1826,so i wondered if she might be a sister for Charles.

Then i have this 1871,which ive just stumbled across accidentally whilst searching for another Matthews link,then nothing found on 1881.

On 1891 Charles and Mary are at Arthurs Bridge,Woking,with them is grand-daughter Ellen Squires born 1878 Liphook.Havent found where she fits in yet,will post seperatly on her.

1901 Charles and Mary in Guildford with grand-son Walter.

1911 Charles is widowed and still dealing in horses at age of 80,with him are son Walter and grand-son Charles.

Ive digressed a bit,getting back to Fambridge,im wondering if she could be a Smith.On the 1911 entry you mention for James,the previous image is another Matthews and the next image includes Smiths.

I certainly cant find a marriage for a Matthews to a Fambridge or anything similar,so maybe they didnt marry,or she used a different name to Fambridge.

So the next step is to try and conclusively link Charles to James,then try and find a birth for one of James/Fambridge children to try and get her last name.

Thanks again,and id be very grateful for anything else you might have or find,and if i can help in any way with your research very happy to.

regards,

Nel.

[lolmac3]

Hi Nell

Children for famebridge and James (Jemmy) are -

Mary Anne
Job
Maria
John
Louisa
Matilda
Phoebe
Lydia
Eliza
William

I have most of their descendants as well so any info you need on the Matthews let me know. 

Lorraine

[lolmac3]

Sorry didnt read the Charles bit.

I have a charles born in 1826 that was married to a Mary, he was the first cousin of James (Jemmy)

Lorraine

[mdewfr]

Hi Nell

Children for famebridge and James (Jemmy) are -

Mary Anne
Job
Maria
John
Louisa
Matilda
Phoebe
Lydia
Eliza
William

I have most of their descendants as well so any info you need on the Matthews let me know. 

Lorraine

Hi
I am trying to resolve a mystery concerning Phoebe Matthews or Mathews
The daughter of James & Famebridge that you mention above
We believe she was married to Walter Lewis
Their first child was born in 1892, my g grandfather Walter Lewis
We can't find any reference of their marriage.
In fact we were told until recently that Phoebe's name was Hedges not Mathews.

Another person from my tree I am difficulty tracking is Margaret Mathews born 1871 in Epsom
She married Sampson Hoadley (born 1866)

Any assistance would be much appreciated

Regards
Mike

[lolmac3]

Hi Mike

Unfortunately Phoebe is one that I have no further info on 

I have a lot of the Hedges family on my tree but no Phoebe. I also have no record of any Lewis's.

Do you know who's parents Margaret Matthews has. My Granny Patricia Martha Matthews was born in Epson in 1877 might be a connection there, though Granny was born on race day !!

I will do a bit of research on Phoebe and see what I come up with

Lorraine

[lolmac3]

Hi Mike

I have found a christening record for a Walter Henry Lewis, who's parents were Walter Lewis & Phoebe (no maiden name) on the 6 November 1891 in Elstead, Kingston upon Thames.

Is this him?

Lorraine