John Leach & Louisa Spencer

[peakoverload]

I've hit a brick wall in regards to my 3x GG and GM as whilst I have found his death in 1867, both seem to entirely disappear from the 1861 census and I can't find anything about her before she married or after her husband died.

John Leach was born 11/08/1816 in Shoreditch and for most of his life lived in and around the Kings Cross / Islington area, in particular Swan Yard in Islington, Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, Rodney Street, Kings Cross, Charles Street, Kings Cross and Crescent Street, Kings Cross. During this time he worked as a Harness Maker and later as an Army Accoutrement Maker.

He married on 29/04/1834 at St. Leonards Church, Shoreditch a Louisa Spencer who was born in Derbyshire.

He died in 1867 and was buried 18/03/1867 at Saint James, Swain Lane, St Pancras.

Louisa Spencer was born c1813 in Derbyshire and I have her and her husband on the 1841 and 1851 census's but that's it.


Between them they had 5 children:
John Leach b 17/07/1834 Islington d 04/01/1890
Louisa Ann Leach b 08/03/1837 St Pancras
Henry Leach b 17/11/1840 St Pancras
Charles Leach b 08/06/1843 St Pancras d 1874
William Leach b 10/12/1846 St Pancras d either 1852 or 1858

I have John and Louisa in St Pancras
1841 Census: HO107/685 Book: 5/ 31 p 59

1851 Census: HO107/ 1493/685 p 81

I can't find either on the 1861 Census. Nor can I find a death for Louisa or a second marriage for her nor can I find a convincing second marriage for John so I think he possibly died before her.

Does anyone have better sleuthing skills than me?

[LizzieW]

Have you got John Leach's death certificate to see who the informant was and the address where he died?  That might help place the family in 1861.

[LizzieW]

On Ancestry one of the trees has Louisa dying oops sorry, buried on 28 January 1892.   Her address given as  Union Home, Fetcham, Surrey (I guess that was a workhouse) aged 79.  That would fit in with her dob, so you might find her in 1871 in Surrey, if not in 1861.  If it is her, she didn't remarry after her husband's death.

[peakoverload]

I do have his death certificate but the informer isn't anyone I've been able to trace, it's a Matilda Akers.

Thank you for the lead on Louisa, I shall take a look at that next. Much appreciated.

[peakoverload]

I don't think the Louisa in the Union Home, Fetcham is the same person as that Louisa was born in Fetcham and looks like she was married to a Stephen Leach.

[rosie99]

Have you eliminated this one
Death
LEACH, LOUISA    age   53 
GRO Reference: 1865  March Quarter in PANCRAS  Volume 01B  Page 111

Possible burial from deceased online 
Leach , Louisa
Burial date 26 February 1865
Location Camden

[peakoverload]

Have you eliminated this one
Death
LEACH, LOUISA    age   53 
GRO Reference: 1865  March Quarter in PANCRAS  Volume 01B  Page 111

Thank you for this. Literally just found this as you posted and have ordered the digital image from GRO and it is 100% her. It says she was the wife of John Leach a Harness Maker.

At least I can definitely say when she died. Odd that I cannot find either on the 1861 census. I'm guessing it's been mistranscribed or something.

Thank you both for your help.

[rosie99]

There were several areas in London missing in 1861.  Does the death certificate give an address

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/articles/census-for-england-wales-and-scotland-missing-pieces

[peakoverload]

The address on the death certificate is 2 Westow Street, Camden Town. I wonder if that would have fallen under Islington East, which I see from your link is missing?

Thank you for the link BTW. That's very useful. I didn't realise so much had been lost.