Stevenson of Loughborough born 1803

[vivijune]

I'd appreciate help in looking up any records for an Elizabeth Stevenson. She later married a William Worth Bennett and moved to Tiverton Devon. The census lists her as having been born in Loughborough around 1803.

Her father may have been listed in the 1851 census and I'd be curious to know his occupation or the occupation of any siblings. Also his date of birth and the family name of her mother. I'd like to get closer to how she met William Bennett. What was the connection that put those two together across that kind of distance?   

[diddymiller]

Hi, i will be in the loughborough library at some time and can look this up but might be next week now.

Diddy

[diddymiller]

do you have her fathers details? were they married in L'boro or Devon?

every detail helps.

ta,
Diddy

[vivijune]

Diddy, thank you. The only information I have for Elizabeth's place of birth is from later census entries in Tiverton Devon that show her place of birth as Loughborough.

She married a Bennett in Tiverton and raised her family there. Her daughter Emily is my husband's descendant. We have most of the Bennett/ Bird history moving forward but nothing about Elizabeth's parents or who the Stevensons of Loughborough might have been. Since she was born in 1803 I thought we might be able to find her father's name/ occupation etc and try and dig back from there + see if he lived as long as the 1851 census where there might be some detail.

If you happen to be in the library this week that would be great. Thanks again for responding. 

[vivijune]

Just found something that might be useful.

I went back to the Tiverton census records for Elizabeth Bennett (previously Stevenson) to make sure she is recorded as being born in Loughborough and that it wasn't an error.

When I pulled up the Tiverton records for '41,'51 and '61 I found a William Towndrow living next door in '51 and '61 and living nearby in '41. He was also born in Loughborough in 1796 as was his sister Elizabeth Towndrow, born in Loughborough in 1806- the same birth year as Elizabeth (Stevenson) Bennett. He is recorded as a mechanic and his sister as his housekeeper.

In 1841 Elizabeth (Stevenson) Bennett has her mother, Elizabeth Stevenson aged 70, living with her as well as her husband's mother, Mary Worth Bennett aged 70.

So I'm wondering if the Towndrow brother and sister are related to the Stevenson family since they live next door and that perhaps the mother of the Elizabeth born in 1806 might have had the maiden name of Towndrow? Certainly an unusual name.

[diddymiller]

ok, that might help - and yes unusual names are better!!

Diddy

[diddymiller]

just looked on the IGI:

found William & siblings:

George Townrow 25/3/1792
William               29/5/1794
John                    7/2/1796
Elizabeth            16/2/1806

all chr All Saints, loughborough to George & Mary Townrow - will look for link to bennetts or Stevensons

Diddy

[diddymiller]

and...

Mary d/o Geo Towndrow 10/4/1757   not sure bout this one
Mary b. 14/2/1798 cchr 24/3/1805 d/o Geo Towndrow
Sarah b 16/12/1799 chr 24/2/1805   "           "
Thomas b,5/12/1803 chr 24/2/1805 s/o   "     "

Diddy

[vivijune]

You found their births! William the mechanic, Elizabeth his housekeeper/sister and Thomas the Publican. It sounds like an old card game!

Your response came in at the same time as I was writing the last one so not sure if it's a coinsidence with William and the other Elizabeth as neighbors. However even if they aren't true family, based on the bithdays of Elizabeth Bennett and Elizabeth Towndrow they are within 3 years of each other in terms of birth, both with memories of Leicestershire. I'm sure the Towndrow sister was a comfort to Elizabeth Bennett over many years when she lost her husband in 1851 and was left to raise her family of 6 children.

Fingers crossed for anything you can dig up on the Stevensons!