Request for Assistance: Benjamin Thomas Hazell

[Braydizz]

Hi all,

I have just created this account to seek assistance from this community. I live in Australia and am tracing my family tree. I'm particularly interested in my surname, HAZELL.

My roadblock is my 3 x Great Grandfather and beyond. I'm very keen to establish his immediate family (parents and siblings). Any assistance that could be given would be much appreciated

Benjamin Thomas Hazell b. c 1830 Bristol, Gloucestershire

Known Facts:

Married:
Ann Merritt 5 Apr 1852, Bethnal Green
Annie West c 1873, London

Occupation:
Cab proprieter and corn dealer

Children:
Ann (b. 1859 Chelsea, d. 1872 Chelsea)
Benjamin Thomas Hazell (b. 1863 Chelsea, d. 1937 Sydney, AU)
Louisa Harriet (b. 1864 Chelsea, d. ?)

Other information:
I have located a newspaper article The Times 11 Jul 1873 titled 'Hazell vs The Metropolitan District Railway' in which he is quoted as saying he has at least one brother.

Emigrated to Australia onboard 'Star of Bengal' departing London on 23 Apr 1874. Went overboard enroute and drowned 19 Jun 1874. His children Benjamin and Louisa were orphaned and were wards of the state upon arrival in Australia.

[amondg]

Good possibility
Transcription on ancestry

Benjamin Thomas Hazell bap 25 October 1829 St Augustine, Bristol Gloucestershire
Parents Benjamin and Harriet
Born 3 October 1829

[sparrett]

His marriage by Banns on April 5th 1852 to Ann Merritt states he was a Stone Mason aged 21 who lived in Edward St. His father was Benjamin.

Sue

[amondg]

FindMyPast
Morning Herald (London) dated 10 July 1868

Benjamin Thomas Hazell known as Benjamin Hazell of 33 Willmott Street, Bethnal Green out of business, late of 112 Flood Street, Chelsea both in the county of Middlesex, cab driver. Adjudicated bankrupt  7 April 1868, discharge granted 28 May 1868.

ADDED
Other newspapers he had originally declared bankruptcy 1863.

[KGarrad]

Possible 1841 census

Kingswood Hill, Bitton, Gloucestershire

Benjamin Hazell  M  40 
Ann Hazell  F  40
Emily Hazell  F  13
Benjamin Hazell  M  11
James Hazell  F  10
Sarah Ann Hazell  F  2

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7MC-M9R?lang=en

[KGarrad]

1851 Census?

Hamlet of Oldland, Somerset (actually in Gloucestershire, next to Bitton)

Benjamin Hazell  Head  M  49  Ag Lab  b Dundry, Somerset
Emma M Hazell  Wife  F  49  b Bitton
Sarah Ann Hazell   Daughter  F  10  b Bitton
William Hazell  Son  M  16  Ag Lab  b Bitton
Elizabeth Hazell  Daughter  F  b St Georges, Gloucestershire
James Hazell  Son  M  18  Ag Lab  b Keynsham, Somerset
Benjamin Hazell  Son  M  20  Ag Lab  b Keynsham, Somerset

[amondg]

He never actually married Annie West, she was his mistress, having turned his wife out ref an article 22 October 1873 saying he would not be responsible for  her debts/ Daily Telegraph and Courier London.

14 March 1874 he was brought before the court for not supporting his wife and children he was seen giving a handful of gold to a showily dressed female. (Miss West) Apparently he was before the court
on numerous occasions.
South London Chronicle.

He had also threatened to murder Mrs. Lucy Mills - Daily Telegraph and Courier -London.

[amondg]

Are you sure the cab driver Benjamin Thomas Hazell married the Ann Merritt in Bethnal Green 1852

Re post by Sparratt.

He could have changed professions of course.

The children you mention do have a mother's maiden name of Merritt and in 1861 they are living at 108 New Road, Chelsea, Benjamin is a cab driver born Bristol Gloucestershire with daughter Ann. 
However I couldn't find any children until 1858. Six years seems a long time to be childless.

GRO Index
Hazell with mother's maiden name Merritt - all registered Chelsea

Benjamin Thomas 1858  buried 4 May 1859 age 1 Brompton Road Cemetery
Ann 1860  (see 1861 census)
Benjamin 1861  died 1862
Benjamin 1863
Louisa Harriett 1865
Harriett Eliza 1869 died aged 15 months buried 31 March 1870 Brompton Road Cemetery of 112 Flood Street.
Same address as listed in the bankruptcy.
 
Benjamin 1863 and Ann 1859 were both baptised 27 May 1863 St Luke Chelsea .
Benjamin born 5 February 1863 and Ann born 6 December 1859. written in the registers.
Abode 34 Queen Street

Ref ancestry.

[amondg]

Louisa Harriett Hazell was baptised St Luke Chelsea 21 April 1865 dated of birth 27 November 1864

Address 34 Queen Street, father Cab Driver.