Cobb Family of Benson Area

[TomGad]

I am currently researching my mother’s side of the family at the moment. I have hit a bit of a brick wall however. My 3rd Great Grandfather William George Cobb was born in a place called Ham in Surrey on October 25th 1877 (birth from 1939 Census).

I cannot however find his birth in the GRO. Nor can I find any records on Ancestry. On his marriage certificate to his wife Elizabeth Grace Hall his father is simply stated as “William Cobb”. In the 1881 and 1891 Census’ William George Cobb is staying with his grandparents George and Elizabeth Cobb. In 1881 listed as Willie Cobb as Rokemarsh and in 1891 as William Cobb. Still in Roke. If his family was around the Benson/Roke Area then why was he born in Surrey? Who is this “William” Cobb of a father? Can anybody help me with this one?

[crisane]

Just a quick observation - in the 1911 census both William George and his wife Elizabeth Grace have recorded their birthplace as Unknown.

[TomGad]

UPDATE: William’s father is Unknown and he actually gets his surname from his mother Harriet Ann Cobb, Daughter of George Cobb and Elizabeth Champion of Rokemarsh.

Between 1877 and 1884 Harriet had 3 children all without the father listed. Her first child being William George in Ham in 1877. Her second child Annie Cobb being born in Union Workhouse, Kingston in 1879 and finally by 1884 she is back in Benson with the birth of Harry Cobb. The infant child of Harriet Harry died at 8 Weeks Old of an Illness I can’t actually read on the certificate.

[Neale1961]

In all census records Harriet is working as a domestic servant in various households. It seems she moved around a bit for work, which would explain why her illegitimate children were born in various places.

In 1894 there was a baptism in Benson, Oxfordshire for Lillian Annie Cobb born 1879
Mother – Harriet Cobb (now Harris) Roke Marsh


Harriet had 2 children with James Harris.
I can’t see that she was ever married to him.

Edith Maud HARRIS born 10 Dec. 1893; baptised 10 Mar. 1895 Benson, Oxfordshire
Parents – James and Harriet Harris, Roke March, bricklayer

HARRIS, EDITH  MAUD     Mother- COBB 
GRO Reference: 1894  M Quarter in WALLINGFORD  Volume 02C  Page 325
   

James Henry HARRIS born 1896
HARRIS, JAMES  HENRY     Mother - COBB 
GRO Reference: 1896  J Quarter in WALLINGFORD  Volume 02C  Page 321


In 1898 Harriett Cobb married widower, John Rowland. He died in 1903.

By 1911 (Devon) census Harriet is (“married under 1 yr) to John Grigg.
Marriage Bideford Dec 1910      5b   1045
Harriett Rowland to John Grigg


She died in 1937 as Harriett Grigg in Devon.

It is worth noting that Harriet's various "husbands" were very much older than she was.

[ribbo39]

In addition to Neale1961 information;

I can find about 10 children bapt. to George & Elizabeth Cobb in Benson but not one for Harriet, other than the baptism of Harry in 1884 to Harriet (single woman).

There is also a baptism for a George Cobb 2-4-1820 Benson (s/o James & Fanny) and Banns only for George Cobb to Elizabeth Champion sp, of Ewelme,  in in Oct 1846

Added;
George Cobb  (x) - m - Elizabeth Champion (sgnd) 31-10-1846 in Ewelme, Oxon (s/o James Cobb & Elizabeth d/o George Champion) Original marriage entry on Ancy.

Hope this helps.

Alan

[ribbo39]

Hi Tom,
Without wishing to muddy the waters;
There is a separate  "Cobb"  family marrying and rasing children with parents George & Elizabeth Cobb in the parish of Drayton St.Leonard, Oxon. I note there is a Harriet Eliza Cobb bapt. 16-8-1857 (d/o George & Eliza)
This George Cobb (23, bach, carter, s/o William)  - m - Elizabeth Russell (20, sp, servant, d/o Thomas) 11-10-1856 Drayton, by Banns

Alan

[TomGad]

In all census records Harriet is working as a domestic servant in various households. It seems she moved around a bit for work, which would explain why her illegitimate children were born in various places.

In 1894 there was a baptism in Benson, Oxfordshire for Lillian Annie Cobb born 1879
Mother – Harriet Cobb (now Harris) Roke Marsh


Harriet had 2 children with James Harris.
I can’t see that she was ever married to him.

Edith Maud HARRIS born 10 Dec. 1893; baptised 10 Mar. 1895 Benson, Oxfordshire
Parents – James and Harriet Harris, Roke March, bricklayer

HARRIS, EDITH  MAUD     Mother- COBB 
GRO Reference: 1894  M Quarter in WALLINGFORD  Volume 02C  Page 325
   

James Henry HARRIS born 1896
HARRIS, JAMES  HENRY     Mother - COBB 
GRO Reference: 1896  J Quarter in WALLINGFORD  Volume 02C  Page 321


In 1898 Harriett Cobb married widower, John Rowland. He died in 1903.

By 1911 (Devon) census Harriet is (“married under 1 yr) to John Grigg.
Marriage Bideford Dec 1910      5b   1045
Harriett Rowland to John Grigg


She died in 1937 as Harriett Grigg in Devon.

It is worth noting that Harriet's various "husbands" were very much older than she was.

Could this Lilian Annie actually be Annie Cobb born 1879? In the 1891 Census she is listed as Annie L Cobb.

Maybe thats a variation of Lilian Annie Cobb? What’s your thoughts?

[Neale1961]

Could this Lilian Annie actually be Annie Cobb born 1879? In the 1891 Census she is listed as Annie L Cobb.

Yes, I believe she is the same child.

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
There is also baptisms for William and his sister Annie at Norbiton
Annie born 13.8.1879 bapt 7.3.1880 d of Harriet Cobb servant Park road .Father is crossed out William George an  upholsterer Hawk possibly Hawk's Road .
William bapt 2.2.1880 d of Harriet servant Kingston Workhouse.

So it looks like William George was named after his father.

Ciderdrinker