William Fowles, Ryde Town Cryer before 1841 COMPLETE

[brynsmum]

Hello

Can anyone shed any light on William Fowles's history prior to his marrying Susan Keetch 1808 Newport, Ryde IOW. please?

According to the 1841 Census he was Town Cryer in Ryde..
I have discovered he was a greengrocer/fruiterer/poulterer  prior to that and had a shop in Union St.
He and  Susan had 4 sons, one of whom was Arthur Wellington Fowles, quite a famous marine artist. Some of his work hangs in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

William is described as a BS having been born in St Kitts, West Indies. sometime between 1782 and 1790 (various census ages) and died in 1866 aged 84. That gives his birth as 1781/2.

I cannot find any record of his birth anywhere but would very much like help in tracing him if possible.
Thanks in advance for any help
June

[Ann E]

Hello June,
I looked in the newspaper archives & only found one report of a assault on “William Town Crier” in 1841,
There are a lot of reports on his son Arthur, & I expect you know about the terrible accident where he was shot by his seven year old son,
I will have another look for anything on William.
Ann E

[brynsmum]

Hello Ann

Thank you for looking for me. I appreciate that. Yes, I do know about Arthur's sad end. William Jnr., my direct ancestor (Arthur's brother)  also died tragically aged 34 whilst away from home. He was a cabinet maker and was in Berkshire doing business and died. The cause of death was given as a 'sudden visitation from God'. I assume that was  probably a heart attack- but  have no real idea.

But I really would like to know about William Snr just to see if I might glean anything of his past. I'd like to know why he was born in the West Indies. I did visit there last year but got nowhere fast. So 
anything will be interesting.
Thanks again, best wishes June 

[Ann E]

I have had another look nothing on William previous to 1841, do you know his father occupation ?
I found these

 Isle of Wight Observer (Ryde, Saturday, September 25, 1858
Mrs Fowles widow William Ward Fowles, 6 Newport Rd Ryde new & second clothing, 
 
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc (Portsmouth, England), Monday, April 13, 1829
House, 2 Union St Ryde

Wight Journal, Winchester Chronicle, and General Reporter (Southampton, England), Saturday, August 27, 1836

Married on Thursday ,at Newchurch, Mr Ward Fowles, cabinet maker ,to miss Smith, both of Ryde.
Ann E
 

[brynsmum]

These reports refer to William Jnr, my ancestor, married to Harriet Smith and died leaving her and 5 children - sudden visitation from God that I mentioned. Seems that Harriet may have taken over the greengrocery shop when her father in law  became Town crier and changed it's use after a while.

I have no idea of William Snr's parentage and birth in WI. Don't even know  what county his parents came from, were they Army I wonder? I wonder where he met Susan Keetch. They married 1808 and I can't trace her either altho I believe Keetch is an Island name?

Can you tell me what the report said about William being assaulted please?
Thank you again for taking the time to help me..
June

[Ann E]

I have sent you a PM.
Ann E

[brynsmum]

Thanks for all your amazing help Ann

[Edjw1963]

Ann,
Can you help me too please.  William Fowles was my 4 greats grandfather and it looks like you may have been able to help brynsmum, so was hoping you could help me too. Thanks

[Edjw1963]

Brynsmum, thanks for your reply.  I can't work out how to reply to you direct so I'll just reply through here. Arthur was my 4xgreat grandfather - the marine artist.