Henrietta Stevens nee Curwen

[MonicaL]

Added: Was just posting when I saw the 'red' for your post, William! Posting as is which matches with yours.

Just re reading to see what clues we may have found for Thomas Curwen so far.

We had this from William earlier regarding the 1881 census:

Here are a couple of possibles for them in 1881;

Transcribed as Cureven but when you look at the original it could most certainly be Curwen Mary might be showing as a servant at the Foresters Arms, Whitehaven. Although she is showing as single her occupation is housewife dom serv. She is 27 and born Moor Row, Cumberland.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WM-KFM8

There is a married Thomas Curwen born 1847 Barrow, occupation iron ore miner a boarder in Cleator, Whitehaven.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WM-2LW6

Rosie posted this earlier re a burial for a possible son, John Henry:

John Henrys burial (1874) is on Findagrave - abode Moor Row
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/215341193/john-henry-curwen

There seems to be a possible strong link to Moor Row from these details.

I found this entry for 1871 for a Thomas Curwen, lodging at Moor Row, Egremont, Whitehaven (I can't link it to an FS entry as FS playing up  ):

John Moffat 32 iron miner
Ether Moffat 25
...and four children
Thomas Cerwen 23, unmarried, Lodger, iron miner, b. Ulverstone, Lancashire

Now, Ulverstone from 1871 and Barrow (in Furness) from the 1881 entry are pretty close to each other so likely the same Thomas give or take a few miles on his birth place? Same occupation and approx. birth year. Showing as single in 1871 and married and lodging in 1881 (if we are right and it is the same Thomas).

Monica

[MonicaL]

So am I right in thinking that Henriettas mum Mary Ann Johnston and father Thomas Curwen we’re not married and Thomas was married to someone else? X

I don't think that is what was discussed earlier. There is a death in 1880 for a Thomas and it is thought that this Thomas was married to a Sophia who by 1881 had been widowed and remarried John Fleming.

I don't think we can guess at this stage the circustances around Henrietta's birth without checking her birth reg. All we have so far for her early years is the birth entry on the index, her 1891 census entry with her mum and then by 1901 working away from home.

Monica

[Millmoor]

Hi Bellsare

I agree with Monica. We know from the Groindex that Henrietta's mother's maiden name was Johnston and that there is a possible marriage of Thomas Curwen and Mary Ann Johnston. The censuses I have quoted do not challenge this. If it were me I would obtain Henrietta's birth certificate and, assuming that it names the parents as Thomas an Mary Ann, their marriage certificate.

William

[MonicaL]

Just following through on this Thomas.

There is an entry for him in 1891 www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4JDZ-3ZM

The George Moffat also boarding with him is one of the Moffat children in the family he lodged with in 1881.

Monica

[Bellsare78]

Thank you Monica and William 😊 x I’ll try and get the birth certificate to see what that shows x

[Millmoor]

Just found a newspaper article about the death of Mary Ann Curwen in the Maryport Advertiser of 5 April 1902. It would appear that she sadly died as a result of a street brawl. She appears to have fallen and hit her head.

" Margaret Johnston, sister in law of the deceased, said the latter was 49 years of age, her husband being Thomas Curwen of Moor Row, being, she believed, an iron ore miner".

Interesting wording which suggests that Thomas was still alive.

Earlier quote " John Cole, collier, Charles Street, Whitehaven, said the deceased was his housekeeper."

William

[Milliepede]

Yes that is interesting wording.

Sorry if I've missed it but do we have Mary Ann in 1901? 

There's a John Cowle widower coal hewer and 7 children at 5 Charles St in 1901 but no housekeeper.
Big family so he probably needed one.

[MonicaL]

We had her earlier here in 1901...let me just refind it and will post.

Added:
1901 www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSV5-SDH

Monica

[MonicaL]

Earlier quote " John Cole, collier, Charles Street, Whitehaven, said the deceased was his housekeeper."

1901 shows her as a housekeeper to a William Castlehow. Looks like she changed employer by the time of her death in 1902.

Monica