Esther Watkins of Woolaston

[rickjt62]

On the 1891 Census for Woolaston my gggf, William Watkins is recorded living at Woodside, Woolaston with his son William Watkins (aged 10) - William Snr. is listed as married

My gggm Esther Watkins (b Hoarwithy, Hentland, Herefordshire 1861), (formerly Jones, maiden name Wood) is not at home, neither is her son, William Jones (who would have been around 6 years old in 1891 & from her first marriage) & a new-born child, Mary Ann Watkins (b Woolaston Mar 1891)

William Watkins & Esther were married in Hoarwithy in 1890 & lived in Woolaston until the 1900's when they moved to Blaenafon, Mon

I have tried looking for Esther, William & Mary Ann with other relatives but with no luck

I have gone through the Woolaston census return with no luck

I have failed to find a marriage between Jones & Wood in the county & surrounding counties so have no knowledge of the first marriage

Can anyone throw some light on their whereabouts?

Incidentally, William Jones drowned in the River Severn at Woolaston in Oct 1898 aged 13 years

Regards
Rich

[groom]

Have you found her after 1891, could she have died in childbirth?

[MargP]

Yes Jan she is on the 1901 census 4918/43/3

Marg

[rickjt62]

Yes - she moved to Blaenafon sometime between the 1901 & 1911 Censuses and died there in 1938

My great grandmother was the second child of the marriage between Esther & William Watkins, Florence (b Woolaston 1892), followed by a son Charles (b Woolaston 1894), daughter Alice (b Woolaston 1896) & son Ernest (b Woolaston 1898)

The 1911 Census shows her having borne nine children with five surviving but these could have been from both marriages - she is listed as Hester Watkins, living at 6 Coed Wood, Blaenafon

In the 1901 Census, the whole family are at Woolaston under "Walkins" at Norman's Head (?), near Woodside .... the William Watkins (Jnr) showing on this record is a child of William Watkins (Snr) first marriage to Eliza Dorrington (d 1889)

In the 1881 Census Esther (then still Wood) is a servant in the household of Harry F Gardiner, solicitor's clerk in Hereford St Owen

Thank you all

[rickjt62]

Hi all

13 years on and both myself and the mystery are still alive

Any fresh eyes as these ones are wearing out 

[rosie99]

Could you please give the details from William Watkins and Esthers marriage including witnesses

[rickjt62]

Could you please give the details from William Watkins and Esthers marriage including witnesses

The marriage took place at Hereford Register Office on 23 April 1890 - William was a widower, having lost his first wife Eliza (Dorrington) Watkins in 1889, Esther was widow Esther Jones, having previously been married to either a Thomas Jones or Paul Jones, neither of which I can find, both listed as residing at 12 Bryngwyn Terrace, Hereford which was the residence of Esther's sister Emily (Wood) Hales

Esther's father is listed as Joseph Wood, a fisherman (not deceased) and the witnesses were Joseph Wood and Eliza Preece

[rosie99]

Thank you  .  That gives a bit more to work with.

[rickjt62]

Thank you  .  That gives a bit more to work with.

Esther's mother's maiden name was Preece - she was born Mary Ann Preece in Pontypool, Monmouthshire c 1824 and was still alive and married to Joseph Wood in the 1891 Census, living at Hoarwithy, Herefordshire - however, I've yet to find a suitable Eliza

Thank you for your help