Searching for a Stourton Connection... Part 2

 A few months ago, I wrote a post about the search for a connection in my family to the Stourton family of Wiltshire. Anyone who has been to Stourhead may know that it was the site of the family seat for some time. Although, there was the tricky business of being Catholics in a Protestant country and therefore fleeing England for a time. It was sold by the family at some point too. If you visit the Church, there are memorials to the Stourton family. [Note: This post was written in September 2020, please check current restrictions and guidelines before travelling or visiting anywhere]

There is a theory in my family that we are related to the Stourtons via the Sydenham family (also quite a prolific Somerset Medieval family). My last post on the subject talked about the History of Parliament Online and how it can aid in the search for Medieval ancestors. My search is still ongoing for that elusive connection, but in the process of my research, I have come across some further resources that are definitely worth exploring.

Local publications

Sometimes the results of a Google search, or something from those results, can prove enlightening. One of my Google searches for a particular place associated with my Sydenham family in the late 1500s, proved just that. It led to an online version of a Somerset Record Society publication, itself a publication of an earlier work. This work was entitled “The Particular Description of the County of Somerset” and was thought by the editors to have been drawn up by Thomas Gerard of Trent in 1633. This particular work is interesting to me because it contains descriptions of places and partial histories or coats of arms associated with those places. It is much like a Victorian Gazetteer, but from the 1600s. It doesn’t give me the exact answers I am looking for, but it does give me some more clues which I can add to those I already have. I do feel that Medieval genealogy can be like a jigsaw, but with a partial (or no) picture! You collect pieces of information and then try to work out how they fit together.

This Somerset Record Society publication gave me further terms to search for and in one of those searches, an online volume of Notes & Queries for Somerset & Dorset popped up. Again, it didn’t give me all the answers, but it did give me some more clues. I have now searched the Somerset Heritage Centre’s online catalogue and come up with various documents that may give me more pieces of the puzzle.

The SRS Somerset Wills publications- I was left these by a relative! © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

Somerset Record Society (SRS)

So why am I mentioning these publications? My point here, is to say that published editions of local historical records and journals are well worth searching, especially if the ancestors you are looking for are of the more Medieval persuasion. The Somerset Record Society have published over 97 volumes since 1886. They concern a variety of records relating to Somerset and they are published with the aim of making these records available in print. This is especially helpful for records that could be more difficult to access or are no longer available. The poor survival rate of Somerset Wills is well known, but the SRS have two volumes containing abstracts of Somerset Wills made before the destruction occurred. These are part of a small group of invaluable documents relating to Somerset Wills.

But the SRS has published much more than just Wills. Searching an old version of the list of their volumes, the records range from Medieval Feet of Fines, to 17^th Century Quarter Sessions records, to some non-conformist records. The emphasis does seem to be on records ranging from the Medieval, up until the 1600s. These are generally harder to access for the public at large and are perhaps thought more valuable to commit to print.

It is not just Somerset however, that has a Record Society. The Royal History Society website has a list (linking to websites) of English Regional History and Record Societies. There are both county and town/city based societies, as well as a link to the Société Jersiaise in Jersey. It is certainly worth exploring what societies exist for your county or area. General history sources are just as useful as genealogical ones. Firstly, it gives you an idea of the history of the area you are researching and secondly, you might just get lucky enough to find your ancestor.

Notes & Queries for Somerset and Dorset

Notes & Queries for Somerset and Dorset is also a long running publication, having been in print since 1888. It differs from the SRS as it publishes articles more than actual records. But these articles take in a wide range of topics, including those of historical and genealogical interest. There might be articles on architecture or local dialect, just as long as it relates to Somerset or Dorset. Again, this set of journals have a twofold use for genealogists and family historians, i.e. the information they can give you about an area and about the people that lived there. Although, you do have to remember that sometimes it is the more notable people tend to end up being studied.

British Association for Local History (BALH)

Another notable source for local history, is the British Association for Local History (BALH). They produce a journal four times a year, which contains articles about various aspects of local history. Their journal might be a little more general than a county or regional society may be, but you never know what you might find. Looking at the contents of volumes from the last few years, the topics are very diverse. All different parts of the country are represented, as are a variety of time periods and aspects of social history. At the time of writing (September 2020), the BALH have made all but the most recent issue free to download due to the current pandemic. I can certainly see myself browsing the titles soon!

Stourton Church, Wiltshire. Memorials to the Stourton family can be found here. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

Where can they be found?

As for access to the SRS publications and Notes & Queries, they are more easily accessible than you might think. The societies themselves obviously sell copies and may have specific deals for members. But local libraries and institutions will often have copies too. The Somerset Heritage Centre has copies of both SRS and Notes & Queries. Notes & Queries has a helpful section on their website which lists where you can find the publications. For access in a time like this where travelling is not so easy, Notes & Queries has some versions digitised on both FindMyPast and the Internet Archive (www.archive.org). The SRS also has some digitised copies on the Internet Archive. Don’t forget to check online with institutions like The Hathi Trust too.

If Somerset societies and publications are online, then there are likely to be others for other counties. There are likely various societies and local journals that relate to your county or area of interest. There are probably many more relating to Somerset that I couldn’t fit in this blog post!

As for the Stourtons, the saga continues! I now have more puzzle pieces, so the search goes on….

© 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

The Symons family: Part 5, Another Wandering Symons?

 We have finally reached the end of our Symons journey. This is the final post in the Symons Family story. Previously, we discovered the family’s humble beginnings with William Symons. We then discovered how he went on to found a brick and tile making company that was very much a part of the Symons family for at least one hundred years. William’s son, William, played a short part in the company, whilst the descendants of William’s daughter Mary Ann remained within the company for three generations. We found out about the family’s trial’s and tribulations, as well as their successes. The sad story of Muriel Toogood and the business triumph of William Elstone Peirce. We gained an insight into family life and relationships. Who could forget the seven needlework pictures of Mary Ann Symons or the falling out with James Cook (husband of Ellen Symons)?

And through all of this, in the background has been the brick and tile making company of Colthurst, Symons & Co. The company that supported many of my ancestors and the house that provided both a workplace and a home: Midway House. This final chapter tells the story of the final generation to be involved with both the company and the house. This is the story of Ernest John Toogood.

The Final Symons

Ernest was born in 1897, likely at Midway House as the local directory records this as the residence of his father (in the capacity of brickyard manager) in that year.[1] [Ernest’s birth certificate is still on the way at the time of writing.] He was baptised on the 17 March that year in Burnham, which is another good indication of his place of birth.[2] He was one of the seven Toogood children mentioned in the last post (born to John Jeffries Toogood and his wife Blanche). They were Grace Darling, Muriel Gwendoline Doris, Ellen Mai, Cecil George, Ernest John, Vera Blanche and Leo Elstone.

Family tree for Ernest John Toogood. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

The 1901[3] and 1911[4] Census records both tell us that Ernest likely spent his childhood at Midway House in Burnham. His sisters Muriel and Mai were both dressmakers and his brother Cecil was an ironmonger’s apprentice. Prior to this point, no daughters living in the house had undertaken any sort of work. This could signal the need to rely on other sources of income as well as Colthurst & Symons. I have already said that Ernest’s grandfather William Elstone Peirce, seems to have enjoyed a higher status in the company than Ernest’s father John. This may have been the start of a downturn for the company and the family at Midway House.

The War years

Like so many men, Ernest served in the Army in the First World War. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find his service record. It was probably one of the many that were destroyed during bombing in the Second World War, but Ernest’s Medal Card does survive. It does not give a lot of information, but it says that he was entitled to the Victory and British Medals.[5] With the help of this medal card and an interesting newspaper article from 1962 (more on this later), we know that Ernest was in the Royal Engineers during the War. They were specifically a part of tunnelling operations at that time.[6] This may be what Ernest was involved with.

After the end of the War, he married a French woman in Paris in 1919.[7] She was Anna Aimée Eymard and was born on the 12 July 1897, (in Mariol, Allier, France) to Marius Alphonse Ernest Eymard and his wife Marie Madeleine Auroux.[8] A cousin who remembers the family says that Anna was for some reason always known as Maddy. Perhaps that was because it was her mother’s middle name? Who knows, perhaps it was decided that Maddy was easier on English tongues! The amount of genealogical detail in her birth record puts British ones to shame! If anyone was wanting to trace Maddy’s family further, her birth record gives both of her parent’s names and ages, as well as the names and ages of her grandfather and her great-grandfather! They happened to be witnesses when the birth was registered with the state at the local Mairie (town hall). Most helpfully, it also notes her marriage to Ernest in Paris. Ernest and Maddy’s daughter Simone was also born in Paris on the 24 December 1917.[9]

You may have noticed that this was before her parent’s marriage. It seems that Simone was initially born out of wedlock but her birth record has an entry in the margin for her parent’s marriage in 1919 with a note that seems to legitimise the birth in the eyes of the law. Paris (and France in general) must have been very difficult during the First World War. ‘Very difficult’ probably cannot begin to describe the experiences of soldiers and civilians alike. If French attitudes to illegitimacy were anything like British ones, having a child out of wedlock with a British soldier cannot have been easy. Simone’s birth record says that her mother Maddy was a ‘femme de chambre’ (chamber maid) at the time, so she may not have had much financial security.

Return to England

In any case, Ernest and his new family did not stay in France. The family moved back to England at some point after 1919. I don’t yet know exactly where they lived after the War (bring on the 1921 Census next year!), but some letters written by Ernest do survive from the 1920s.

The Toogood family c. 1919. Back row: L-R, Ernest, Muriel, Cecil, Leo, Vera. Front row: L-R, Mai, John Jeffries, George Bishop and his mother Grace Toogood. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

By this time, his sister Muriel’s mental health was deteriorating. He even sends his best wishes to her via her husband Harry in a letter from 1923.[10] This letter and the others written to his brother-in-law Harry, are all written from Midway House. At this time, Ernest’s father John is getting older and it would be quite possible that Ernest and his family are living at Midway House in order to support his father. Indeed, the difficult topic of my grandfather’s care is raised. Ernest writes to Harry in September of 1923 that:

“…as regards having the baby down here it is quite impossible at the present time as I dare say you know Dad has been under the doctors, and he has to keep very quiet, and Mai as you know is far from well, …it is more than my wife can do to look after the house and the children, without any more to look after…”[11]

The children that Ernest is referring to is not only his own daughter Simone, but Harry and Muriel’s other child (my grandfather’s sister), who was already staying with them and being looked after by Muriel and Ernest’s sister Mai. Not long after this, we know that Muriel entered an asylum and my grandfather entered an orphanage. It seems that there was a great strain on the family at the time, coming from various events. Even so, it does not seem that Ernest was being unkind. To me, it feels more that his household could not take anyone else. At this time, Ernest may have taken on the role of brickyard manager, especially if his father was getting older and in the midst of an illness. That would mean that Ernest was likely the only worker bringing in any money for the household. With a possible six occupants to support, Ernest must have really felt a weight on his shoulders.

The final journey

By 1939, Ernest and Maddy were the only occupants of Midway House and perhaps it is no surprise that Ernest was a brick and tile works manager.[12] Ernest’s father John had passed away in 1934[13] and his sister Mai had by this point moved to Stoke-sub-Hamdon (Somerset). We know that my great-aunt grew up in Stoke with Mai and Mai’s husband, Arthur Grinter. I will need to do a little more research to find out exactly when the other siblings (Cecil and Vera) left Midway House. To go from so many family members in the house to so few must have been quite strange. The 1911 Census tells us that Midway House had 8 rooms. Perhaps Ernest and Maddy felt lonely living there on their own. Their daughter Simone does not appear with them on the 1939 Register either.[14]

Eventually, the last Symons to live in Midway House emigrated to Australia.[15] Ernest and Maddy left in 1962, after Ernest had retired from Colthurst & Symons. The Western Daily Press even ran an article on the couple’s emigration in February of that year. They were interviewed and said that it was something they were looking forward too and had wanted to do for a long time.[16] That was because their daughter Simone emigrated in 1951[17] with her husband Harold Johnson and their two children. Ernest and Maddy’s departure also coincided with the closure of the final Colthurst & Symons brick yards in the 1960s.[18] As the Western Daily Press said, this ‘severed the 100 year connection of his family with the Burnham brick and tile firm of Colthurst, Symons & Co.’

The end of the story?

Ernest and Maddy with their daughter Simone, 

c. 1920s. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

From researching Ernest’s life, there are echoes of the transitory life of his great-uncle, William Symons, b. 1827 (brother of his grandmother Mary Ann). Both men saw their share of travel, although Ernest’s was a little more exotic! This last Symons was also involved in Colthurst, Symons & Co. more than his great-uncle. Ernest took over the family occupation of manager of the Burnham brick and tile yard and took over residency of Midway House. But change is a part of life and all things come to an end. It has been a fascinating journey for me, to be able to travel through the decades with one family who were so involved with a company and a house for so many years. Being able to collate all sorts of different sources and information to build up a fuller picture of the family and their lives has been wonderful. The other good thing is that I know there is still more to find!

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[1] Directories. England. (1897) Kelly’s Directory of Somerset. London: Kelly’s Directories Limited. p. 160.

[2] Baptisms (PR) England. Burnham, Somerset. 17 March 1897. TOOGOOD, Ernest John. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 02 September 2020.

[3] Census. 1901. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG13/2322. FL 62. SN 247. ED 13. p. 34. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[4] Census. 1911. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG14/14565. SN 212. ED 4. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[5] Army Medal Office (Great Britain). WW1 Medal Index Card. TOOGOOD, Ernest. Regimental

number: 269162 (WR/271340). Collection: UK, British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 03 September 2020.

[6] Ministry of Defence. Corps of Royal Engineers: Corps of Royal Engineers Timeline. https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/corps-of-royal-engineers/ : accessed 03 September 2020.

[7] Marriages (CR) France. Arrondissement 04, Paris, Île-de-France. 02 December 1919. TOOGOOD and EMARD. Entry no. 1455. 4M 262. [p. 25] Collection: État civil de Paris: Actes d'état civil. Paris Archives. http://archives.paris.fr/r/124/etat-civil-de-paris/ : accessed 03 September 2020.

[8] Births (CR) France. Mariol, Allier, Auvergne. 12 July 1897. EYMARD, Anna Aimée. Entry no. 7. 2 Mi EC 172 5. [p. 170] Collection: Les Registres Paroissiaux, D'état Civil. Archives départementales de l’Allier. http://recherche.archives.allier.fr/ark:/84133/a011519373573L8QeyR/1/1 : accessed 03 September 2020.

[9] Births (CR) France. Arrondissement 13, Paris, Île-de-France. 24 December 1917. EYMARD (TOOGOOD), Simone. Entry no. 3364. 13N 236. [p. 6] Collection: État civil de Paris: Actes d'état civil. Paris Archives. http://archives.paris.fr/r/124/etat-civil-de-paris/ : accessed 03 September 2020.

[10] Toogood, Ernest. (1923) Letter to Harry and Doll, [date unknown]. Topic: Regret to hear that Doll (Muriel) is unwell, as well as news about his family (including daughter Simone). Digital copy of an original letter in the possession of Nina Griffiths.

[11] Toogood, Ernest. (1923) Letter to Harry Morgan, 08 September. Topic: The question of the care of Harry and Muriel’s baby and how it would be impossible for the baby to come to Midway House. Ernest’s father and sister are both unwell and his wife is looking after everyone. Digital copy of an original letter in the possession of Nina Griffiths.

[12] 1939 Register, England. Burnham-on-sea, Somerset. TOOGOOD, Ernest J. 29 September 1939. Schedule 271/1. RG101/7024I/002/40. National Archives (Great Britain), Kew, England. Collection: 1939 Register. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[13] Deaths (CR) England. Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. 26 May 1934. TOOGOOD, John. Entry no. 174.

[14] 1939 Register, England. Burnham-on-sea, Somerset. TOOGOOD, Ernest J. 29 September 1939. Schedule 271/1. RG101/7024I/002/40. National Archives (Great Britain), Kew, England. Collection: 1939 Register. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[15] Passenger list for the S.S. Stratheden arriving Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia [Sydney noted as the disembarkation point]. TOOGOOD, E J. March 1962. National Archives of Australia, Parkes, ACT, Australia. Collection: Fremantle, Western Australia, Passenger Lists, 1897-1963. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 September 2020.

[16] Western Daily Press. (1962) The New Life of Ernest Toogood. Western Daily Press. February. [Page and column unknown] Copy of an article in the possession of Alison Black.

[17] Board of Trade (Great Britain). Passenger list for Strathmore departing London for Sydney, NSW, Australia. 07 June 1951. JOHNSON, Simone. Collection: UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 September 2020.

[18] Tweedie, Andrew. Colthurst, Symons and Co. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Colthurst,_Symons_and_Co : accessed 06 July 2020.

The Symons Family: Part 4- A Family Home

 n the previous post in this series, I talked about William Elstone Peirce and his wife Mary Ann. She was the daughter of William Symons of Colthurst, Symons & Co, the Bridgwater brick and tile makers. Their story was intertwined with that of Midway House in Burnham on Sea. The company also played a large part in their lives, with William Elstone Peirce contributing to the patent of an important product.

The next generation

The next chapter in the story of Midway House is also the story of John Jeffries Toogood and his wife Blanche. Those of you who are particularly observant, may have noticed these names in the previous post. Blanche, the wife of John Toogood is mentioned in the will of Mary Ann Peirce. She inherited one of Mary Ann’s needlework pictures (“Weighing the Deer”). Blanche was indeed Mary Ann’s daughter with husband William Elstone Peirce and was born on the 24 September 1858, at Crossway Villa, North Petherton, Somerset.[1] Her birth certificate records that her father William was still a cabinet maker, although Crossway was also the site of a Colthurst, Symons & Co. brickyard where William’s brother-in-law John also lived and worked. Have a look at the previous post for more details about this.

Family tree for John and Blanche Toogood. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

Blanche Peirce was associated with Midway House for a number of years, as she lived there from the time her parents moved in, in 1875,[2] until at least 1881.[3] There seems to be a short gap for the first years of her marriage and then again from about 1901 until her death in 1915.[4] We know that her father, William, began as brickyard foreman, then manager when he moved to Midway House and finally a Brick and Tile Merchant’s Director by the time of his death in 1905. Perhaps Blanche’s husband was hoping for something similar eventually.

John and Blanche

This husband was John Jeffries Toogood. He was born on the 03 August 1840, in Huntspill, Somerset.[5] His parents were John Toogood, a yeoman, and Caroline, formerly Caroline Jeffries. When he married Blanche Peirce on the 07 April 1883, he was a farmer residing in Bridgwater and was seven years her senior.[6] So perhaps his marriage to Blanche was a social step up for John. It may be that he was looking for more financial security and as Blanche’s family were involved with a prominent Bridgwater trade, perhaps he thought he would get that. There is a strange family story about John. After his marriage, he supposedly went to New Zealand without Blanche and farmed sheep for six years. Unfortunately, the name John Toogood is pretty common, so I haven’t been able to say whether this story is true yet. I suppose it may go some way to explaining the gap between John’s marriage to Blanche and the birth of their first child, Grace in 1890.

It seems that the couple did not take over Midway House until 1897. From that year, John is the brickyard manager for Colthurst, Symons & Co. who is recorded in the local directories.[7] The 1911 Census is in agreement, but it also gives a clue as to how big Midway House was. Each household was required to write down the number of rooms in the house on that Census and John Toogood writes that Midway House had 8 rooms, excluding things such as bathrooms and sculleries.[8] With the children that are living with John and Blanche, Midway House is no longer merely the brickyard manager’s house, but a family home. There were seven Toogood children in total: Grace Darling, Muriel Doris Gwendoline, Ellen Mai, Cecil George, Ernest John, Vera Blanche and Leo Elstone.

The family letters

A whole set of letters were found when my maternal grandfather’s house was cleared about fifteen years ago now. My Mum and Aunty had persuaded my grandparents to move house and these letters were found in their garage. They are dated between 1921-1928 and are largely written from Midway House.[9] Sadly, by this time Blanche had passed away. It was rather an unfortunate coincidence that she died on the 09 September 1915,[10] in the same year as her mother Mary Ann (d. 05 April 1915[11]). From the content of some of the letters, Blanche’s death was keenly felt by the family, especially as John and Blanche’s daughter Muriel developed mental health problems and it seems that John was unable to cope with this.

John Jeffries Toogood and wife Blanche. Some in my family think the woman could actually be Blanche's mother Mary Ann. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

John wrote some strongly worded letters to Muriel’s husband Harry, telling him that Muriel was now Harry’s responsibility and not that of the residents of Midway House. As John and Blanche’s eldest daughter Grace was absent from the household from at least 1911 (she actually married her husband Albert Edward Bishop in 1916[12]), the role of woman of the house fell to younger sister Mai, which in turn would have impacted her life. This was due to Muriel’s health problems, as Muriel was the next eldest after Grace. Whatever our own thoughts about John Toogood’s attitude towards Muriel, we have to remember that times were different. Issues surrounding mental health were not often understood at the time and carried a large stigma too. John’s letters were also only a snapshot of what he felt. We don’t know what other conversations were had in the family.

None of the letters found concern business matters relating to Colthurst, Symons & Co. Perhaps this is not surprising as it seems that John Jeffries Toogood did not enjoy the same status in the company as William Elstone Peirce had. The final time that John was mentioned by name is in the directory of 1906.[13] From then on, it is only the house that is mentioned by name and not the person living in it.

John Jeffries Toogood outlived his wife for a good few years and died at Midway House (called Half Way House), on the 26 May 1934. He was a retired Foreman of a Brickyard.[14]

Muriel's story

The story of John and Blanche’s daughter Muriel is particularly sad, as after she had her second child in 1923, she was admitted to an asylum in Gloucester and we are still not completely sure why. There are various theories surrounding post-natal depression or even schizophrenia. A memory of my great-aunt’s told of an ‘episode’ that Muriel had in a café long before her marriage. Her husband Harry had been born in Eastington (near Stonehouse) in 1881[15] and the couple were married at the Register Office in Gloucester in 1920 (it is still a mystery as to how they met!).[16]

Even sadder still, her eldest child (a daughter) grew up partly in Midway House and partly in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, being looked after by Muriel’s sister Mai. Her second child (my maternal grandfather) grew up in an orphanage in Gloucester. It is something he rarely (if ever) talked about and so we still do not know much about that period of his life. To be honest, it has been emotionally daunting to think about too. From the letters found, other documents and family recollections, it seems that Harry was quite an absent father and perhaps did not possess the financial means or experience to look after either of his children during his wife’s illness. It was an illness she was perceived never to have recovered from as she spent the rest of her life in the asylum, dying in 1985.

Midway House, circa. 1920, with John Toogood and some of his family. © 2020 Shersca Genealogy.

This next chapter in the family’s life was not altogether a happy one, although the company and the house were still constant. Theirs is a story which reminds us that every family has difficulties as well as successes. As much as we research and learn, there is still going to be a certain amount that is lost to the passage of time. We must also not forget changing attitudes. Sometimes, as a genealogist I have to distance myself a certain amount. If I didn’t, I would not be able to report some of the sadder events a family has experienced. But these events are still a part of their history and these discoveries in my own family have really reinforced that statement. Even though they are hard to deal with, we would not be who we are without them.

Next time comes the final post in the series. Midway House sees its final Symons descendants and the company sees its final days.

Copyright © 2020 Shersca Genealogy

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[1] Births (CR) England. North Petherton, Somerset. 24 September 1858. PEIRCE, Blanche. Entry no. 92.

[2] Directories. England. (1875) The Post Office Directory of Somersetshire. London: Kelly And Co. p. 345.

[3] Census. 1881. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG11/2418. FL 25. ED 9. p. 44. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[4] Deaths (CR) England. Burnham, Somerset. 09 September 1915. TOOGOOD, Blanche. Entry no. 87.

[5] Births (CR) England. Huntspill, Somerset. 03 August 1849. TOOGOOD, John. Entry no. 258.

[6] Marriages (PR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 07 April 1883. TOOGOOD, John and PEIRCE, Blanche. Collection: Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 25 January 2018.

[7] Directories. England. (1897) Kelly’s Directory of Somerset. London: Kelly’s Directories Limited. p. 160.

[8] Census. 1911. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG14/14565. SN 212. ED 4. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[9] Toogood family. Letters to Harry, Muriel and Leslie MORGAN. 1921-1928. Collection formerly owned by Harry MORGAN, originals now held by Nina Griffiths.

[10] Deaths (CR) England. Burnham, Somerset. 09 September 1915. TOOGOOD, Blanche. Entry no. 87.

[11] Deaths (CR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 05 April 1915. PEIRCE, Mary Ann. Entry no. 354.

[12] Marriages (PR) England. St. Matthew Moorfields, Bristol. 09 September 1916. BISHOP, Albert Edward and TOOGOOD, Grace Darling Collection: Bristol, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 08 July 2020.

[13] Directories. England. (1906) Kelly’s Directory of Somerset. London: Kelly’s Directories Limited. p. 166.

[14] Deaths (CR) England. Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. 26 May 1934. TOOGOOD, John. Entry no. 174.

[15] Births (CR) England. Eastington, Wheatenhurst, Gloucestershire. 23 August 1881. MORGAN, Arthur Henry Lewis. Entry no. 233.

[16] Marriages (CR) England. The Register Office, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. 15 December 1920. MORGAN, Arthur Henry Lewis and TOOGOOD, Muriel Doris Gwendoline. Entry no. 134.

The Symons family: Part 3- Enter the Peirce family

 We left the story of the Symons family with the death of William Symons, son of the William Symons who began Colthurst, Symons & Co. in Bridgwater, Somerset. They were one of various brick and tile makers in an area which was particularly suited to that trade. In the first post in this series, I mentioned that it was not William’s eldest son (William junior above) who carried on the business but his other sons James, John and Clifford. But William and his brothers were not the only siblings to have an involvement in the business. Their sister Mary Ann was to prove just as important, especially for a house I mentioned in my last post.

Midway House

This house was Midway House in Burnham on Sea, Somerset. As I mentioned in my previous posts, one of the myriad brick and tile manufacturing companies in the area was Colthurst, Symons & Co. They owned at least seven brick and tile works including one at Burnham/Highbridge where Midway House is located.^[1] It is difficult to say exactly when the house was built, as its first appearance in documents found so far is the 1871 Census when William Symons junior lived there [at the time of writing no deeds have yet been located]. Luckily, this was just the beginning of the story.

Enter the Peirces...

Our next occupant after William was a man named William Elstone Peirce. Now, you may ask what does he have to do with the Symons family? The answer is Mary Ann Symons, the sister of the William who occupied the house in 1871. She was born in about 1832, but was not baptised until adulthood in 1877.[2] Mary Ann married William Elstone Peirce on the 01 March 1852. He was a cabinet maker at the time and his father (William Peirce) had been a boat builder.[3] Interestingly, the couple were married in the Christ Church Presbyterian Chapel in Bridgwater. There is not a great tradition in Mary Ann’s family of non-conformism, but perhaps there was in William’s family.

Family tree for Mary Ann Symons (1832-1915) © Shersca Genealogy, 2020.

The couple had eleven children during the course of their marriage, but they did not immediately live in Midway House. Firstly, in 1861, they lived at the Crossway Brickyard in North Petherton, where William was the yard foreman[4] and then in 1871, they lived at 106 St. John Street in Bridgwater. William was again a foreman at a brickyard. As Mary Ann was the daughter of the co-founder of Colthurst, Symons & Co., William was probably working for the company. The Crossway Brickyard was also where Mary Ann’s brother John lived and was foreman in 1871.[5]

Climbing the social ladder

From 1875, things took a step up for William and Mary Ann, as they moved into Midway House at Burnham and William became the brickyard manager there.[6] In the trade directory entries for 1883^[7] and 1889,^[8] both the private address and the commercial address is given as Midway House for William, with the qualification of ‘Manager’ added to the commercial listings. As he was not listed as a private resident in the 1875 directory, it may mean that his wage had increased to the point where he could afford to pay Kelly’s to include him as a private resident in these editions. This may well have increased his social standing also.

William, Mary Ann and their family lived in the house through the 1881[9] and 1891[10] Census records. In 1891, a servant is recorded in the household for the first time in the history of the house, although there is never more than one. The final time that they are recorded living at Midway House is in 1894, in Kelly’s trade directory for Somerset. As in the directories from the 1880s, William is residing at Midway House as both a private resident and as the Manager for Colthurst, Symons & Co. in Burnham.^[11] In 1901, they change the Burnham brickyard for one in Bridgwater- they are living at 1, The Willows, Taunton Road.[12] William is still the Manager of a brickyard. I wonder whether this was a promotion within the company?

An important event

Perhaps William’s status with the company can be best seen by an event that took place whilst he and Mary Ann were living at Midway House between 1890-1891. There is an entry in the Chard and Ilminster Gazette in September of 1891 recording the grant of a patent to William Elstone Peirce in conjunction with Colthurst, Symons & Co. The article reads as follows:

‘The Chard and Ilminster News, 12 September 1891. Patent Record. Patents granted and specifications published. 4,097 Colthurst, Symons & Co, Ltd., Bridgwater, W E Pearce, Midway House, Burnham, roofing tiles…’^[13]

A copy of the specification for this application survives in the documents left to me by my great-aunt, who conducted a lot of research into the Symons branch of the family. The application was made on the 28 March 1890 and accepted on the 17 May the same year. The specification is quite lengthy, but it describes the invention of ‘Roman’ roofing tiles, which were designed ‘to prevent the displacement of such tiles by heavy winds’ and ‘to render the roof rain-proof by preventing water being driven… between the tiles to leak through the roof.’[14] The tiles were designed to interlock with one another, so as to prevent leaking and make them easier to secure. There is even a detailed set of drawings showing the tile and how it works. This tile (also called a ‘double roman interlocking roof tile’) seems to have become a speciality for the company and was always handmade, right up until the closure of the company.^[15]

William Elstone Peirce died on the 12 May 1905, at Saltlands, Chilton Street, Bridgwater. He was 74 and was described as having been a Brick and Tile Merchant’s Director.[16] Quite a prestigious position in the company when compared to his brother-in-law William, who was only ever a brickyard manager and eventually left the company.

 "Joseph presenting his father to Pharaoh" made by Mary
Ann Peirce (neé Symons).
© Shersca Genealogy, 2020.

A curious bequest

Mary Ann died 10 years later on the 05 April 1915, also at Saltlands (Long Villa).[17] Mary Ann’s will makes for quite interesting reading, as I have mentioned before in my post about family heirlooms. I am of course, talking about the seven needlework pictures that Mary Ann left to her seven children as follows:

• “Weighing the Deer” to Blanche (wife of John Toogood),
• “Boaz and Ruth” to Ada Louisa (wife of William Washer),
• “Robert Burns and the Highland Girl” to Ellen Augusta (wife of Edward Jenkins),
• “Leah and Rachel” to Rolla Claude Peirce,
• “Pilate washing his hands” to Mabel Beatrice Peirce,
• “Joseph being sold to the Ishmaelites” Eustace Gustavus Adolphus Peirce,
• “Joseph presenting his father to Pharaoh” to Georgina Margharita Peirce

The implication is that she did all of these herself, although there is a story in my family that she had help from some or all of her daughters. There were also four(!) other children who had died before this will was written in 1899.[18] The other family story is that all seven of these pictures hung in Midway House. Looking at the picture I have of Midway House from the early 1900s, I am amazed that they would fit. Maybe they were hanging in Long Villa instead?

Unfortunately, I only know the whereabouts of two of these pictures now. One is with my Aunt and one is in Australia with the descendants of Ellen Augusta Peirce. My branch of the family ended up with two as Georgina Margharita died not long after her mother, in 1916.[19] We have “Joseph presenting his father to Pharaoh,” but “Weighing the Deer” seems to have vanished.

William Elstone Peirce and his wife Mary Ann seem to have done better for themselves than Mary Ann’s brother William, at least in terms of status within Colthurst, Symons & Co. They have certainly been an interesting couple to research. I can now say that an ancestor of mine held a patent! I can’t get over the vast number of needlework pictures either, especially if they were anything like the size of the one my family has now.

Next time, Midway House sees the arrival of some new (and old) occupants, as well as the beginning of a new phase of family life.

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[1] Capture Highbridge. BRICK AND TILE PRODUCTION. https://capturehighbridge.wordpress.com/industry/brick-and-tile-production/ : accessed 05 February 2018.

[2] Baptisms (PR) England. Highbridge, Somerset. 21 December 1877. SYMONS, Mary Ann. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[3] Marriages (CR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 01 March 1852. PEIRCE, William Elstone and SYMONS, Mary Ann. Entry no. 187.

[4] Census. 1861. England. North Petherton, Somerset. PN: RG9/1622. FL 15. SN 5. ED 2. p. 1. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[5] Census. 1871. England. North Petherton, Somerset. PN: RG10/2381. FL 22. SN 81. ED 2. p. 16. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[6] Directories. England. (1875) The Post Office Directory of Somersetshire. London: Kelly And Co. p. 345.

[7] Directories. England. (1883) Kelly’s Directory of Somersetshire with the City of Bristol. London: Kelly And Co. p. 141.

[8] Directories. England. (1889) Kelly’s Directory of Somersetshire with the City of Bristol. London: Kelly And Co. p. 144.

[9] Census. 1881. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG11/2418. FL 25. ED 9. p. 44. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[10] Census. 1891. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG12/1918. FL 100. ED 9. p. 1. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[11] Directories. England. (1894) Kelly’s Directory of Somerset And the City of Bristol. London: Kelly And Co. Ltd. p. 162.

[12] Census. 1901. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG13/2283. FL 43. SN 193. ED 2. p. 29. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[13] Chard and Ilminster News. (1891) Patent Record. Patents granted and spcifications published. Chard and Ilminster News. 12 September. p. 5a. Collection: British Newspapers. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 25 January 2018.

[14] Colthurst, Symons & Co. Patent application. Roman roof tile. 17 May 1890. Application no. 4907. From family documents in the possession of Rhiannon Lloyd.

[15] Murless, Brian J. (2000) Somerset Brick & Tile Manufacturers: A Brief History & Gazetteer. [Unknown]: Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society. p. 15.

[16] Deaths (CR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 12 May 1905. PEIRCE, William Elstone. Entry no. 61.

[17] Deaths (CR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 05 April 1915. PEIRCE, Mary Ann. Entry no. 354.

[18] Testamentary records. England. 03 May 1916. PEIRCE, Mary Ann. Will. From family documents in the possession of Rhiannon Lloyd.

[19] Testamentary records. England. 15 June 1918. PEIRCE, Georgina Margharita. Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate. p. 482. Collection: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 08 July 2020.

The Symons family: Part two- The Wandering Symons

Today’s post continues the story of the Symons family of Somerset brickmakers. Last time we found out how everything began, with William Symons of Stogursey who joined Thomas Colthurst to form Colthurst, Symons & Co. in 1857. We also discovered how the Bridgwater area was perfect for brick and tile making due to an abundance of raw materials. This instalment follows William’s eldest son (also named William) on his journey.

William Symons junior

From what I have discovered about William junior, he seems to have been quite a transient person. Unlike other ancestors I have found who settled and stayed in the same area for a great deal of their lives, William moved around a lot. He began life in Bridgwater and was baptised there on the 07 March 1827 at St. Mary’s Church.[1] As a 14 year old, he lived with his parents William and Ann and siblings James, John, Clifford and Ellen in Hamp, near Bridgwater.[2] But three years later (1844) is when things get a bit more interesting. 1844 is the birth year of William junior’s eldest son, confusingly also called William! The interesting thing is that William did not marry wife Sophia until 1849.[3] If you do the maths on this, then it shows that William was 17 in 1844, which would have been below the age he was allowed to marry without parental consent. It seems he had an illegitimate child with Sophia and she baptised the child under her name of ‘Duddridge.’[4] This William’s birth certificate is however, filed under Symons. Sophia Dudridge is named as the mother, but William Symons is named as the father. As Sophia is only named by her maiden name this indicates that they were likely unmarried at the time.[5]

Family Tree for William Symons junior (1827-1911). © Shersca Genealogy, 2020.

The legislation requiring both parents of an illegitimate child to be present at the registration didn’t come in until 1874, so William may or may not have given his consent to be named. Perhaps though, this did show the couple’s intentions as they did marry later. This William seemed to live with his grandparents (Sophia’s parents) and not his parents.[6] [7] This illegitimacy would have been fairly scandalous at the time- who knows, perhaps it had a bearing on William senior's involvement (or lack of) in his father’s brickmaking business. Maybe he had another career in mind, as on both his first son’s birth certificate and his marriage certificate, he says that he is a baker.

William's next move

Who knows, perhaps the stigma was so great that this was the reason that William had moved to Neath, near Swansea in Wales by 1851. His wife Sophia and their next son James were with him and William was recorded as being a brickmaker. There are of course, other reasons why William could have gone to Wales. He may have tried to find work- there were various brickworks in Neath and the surrounding areas.[8] It is unclear how he became a brickmaker (maybe baking wasn’t working out for him), but perhaps unsurprising because of the growing popularity of the trade in the area where he grew up.

Perhaps you might think that William settled down in Wales after joining a Welsh brickmaker? No he did not. His son John was born back in Bridgwater (abt. 1852) and his daughters Mary Ann and Clara were born in North Petherton in abt. 1853 and 1855 respectively. Then yet again, the family were off in 1861 and were living in Eaton Hastings in Berkshire.[9] William’s occupation is pretty vague and only says ‘contractor,’ but by this time, his father was involved with Colthurst, Symons & Co. Perhaps William was sent to investigate business opportunities in the area? According to the Eaton Hastings entry in the Victoria County History, there are disused clay-pits in the vicinity and clay is what you need to make bricks.[10]

The brickyard manager

 Part of promotional material for Colthurst, Symons & Co, showing their brickyards. Passed down through my family.

The next chapter in William’s history is the one which has interested me most because it sees the entry of a particular house. This house is called Midway House and it is located in Burnham on Sea, Somerset. Midway House becomes an important part of the story of my ancestors, but only makes a fleeting appearance in William’s story. He, his wife Sophia and children John, Mary Ann and Clara lived there in 1871, but had left by 1875.[11] This time around, William is the manager of a brickyard and this speaks to the purpose of the house he lived in. The residents of Midway House are inextricably linked with the purpose of the land around the house. Each head of household that I have found on the UK census records was recorded as a brickyard manager, most likely for the adjoining brickworks owned by Colthurst, Symons & Co.^[12] The next occupant appeared in 1875,[13] but more about him next time.

Meanwhile, William had moved again, but into Bridgwater this time. Perhaps he moved closer to the main hub of the family business. Sadly, his address can be found on his wife Sophia’s death certificate. She died on the 28 June 1876, at 48 Wellington Road, Bridgwater.[14] I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for William and his family, especially as Sophia was only 49. It seems that she died from liver and kidney problems and excess fluid in the kidneys (dropsy). At this time William was still a tile manufacturer, but perhaps Sophia’s death prompted the complete change in occupation and yet another move.

The Gloucester years

William’s second marriage took place on the 18 July 1878 to Charlotte Ford (neé Smith) at the Register Office in the Aston District of Warwickshire.[15] Both had been married before and seemingly lost spouses to premature deaths. But yet again, does William settle in Warwickshire? No, he moves with Charlotte and the children from her previous marriage to Gloucestershire. Even more surprising, is the fact that he becomes a publican! He was a merchant and Inn Keeper of the Goat Inn on Llanthony Road, South Hamlet, Gloucester.[16] There may have been more to this move that it being purely random. In the previous post, remember that William’s younger brother John was living in South Hamlet in 1861.[17] But even this change of William’s doesn’t seem to last long. From 1891 until his death, William seems to be moving around Gloucester and ‘living on his own means’ with no discernible occupation. 1891 sees him living at 17 Weston Road,[18] 1901 at 2 Tudor Street (but as a boarder not a head of household)[19] and 1911 at 104 Linden Road with daughters Mary Ann (Marian) and Clara.[20]

The address at Weston Road was unfortunately where William’s second wife, Charlotte died on the 20 July 1895 from heart disease and associated syncope.[21] She was only 67. William himself died on the 29 August 1911 at 104 Linden Road, aged 84. It is perhaps some comfort to see that his daughter Clara was present when he died.[22]

Conclusions

William is a very obvious case to remind us that our ancestors could have moved around much more than we think. There are ten years between each census entry after all. A lot can happen in that time, especially as movement became easier in the 19^th century. William’s story does give me the impression of someone who had not quite found where they belonged in life. With several changes of occupation and many changes of location over the years, perhaps William was struggling to find his place. Although we may never know for sure.

Stay tuned for part three of the Symons story, with the addition of the Peirces and a certain house in Burnham on Sea!

Copyright © 2020 Shersca Genealogy

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[1] Baptisms (PR) England. Bridgwater (St. Mary), Somerset. 07 March 1827. SYMONS, William. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1531-1812. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[2] Census. 1841. England. Hamp, Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: HO107/971. FL 48. BN 2. ED 4. p. 39. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[3] Marriages (CR) England. Register Office, Axbridge Union, Somerset. 04 April 1849. SYMONS, William and DUDRIDGE, Sophia. Entry no. 158.

[4] Baptisms (PR) England. Bridgwater (St. Mary), Somerset. 22 September 1844. DUDDRIDGE, William. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[5] Births (CR) England. Hamp, Bridgwater, Somerset. 31 July 1844. SYMONS, William. Entry no. 445.

[6] Census. 1841. England. Hamp, Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: HO107/1925. FL 118. ED 1d. p. 51. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[7] Census. 1861. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG9/1624. FL 18. SN 156. ED 1. p. 30. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[8] Jenkins, Phil. The Brickworks of West Glamorgan: Neath and the Nedd Valley. http://www.industrialgwent.co.uk/g41-westglam/index.htm#neath : accessed 07 July 2020.

[9] Census. 1861. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG9/728. FL 86. SN 22. ED 5c. p. 17. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[10] [Author unknown] (1924) 'Eaton Hastings.' In: Page, William, and Ditchfield, P. H. eds. A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4. London: Victoria County History. pp. 528-531. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/berks/vol4/pp528-531 : accessed 07 July 2020.

[11] Census. 1871. England. Burnham, Somerset. PN: RG10/2457. FL 27. SN 58. ED 9. p. 11. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 23 January 2018.

[12] Murless, Brian J. (2000) Somerset Brick & Tile Manufacturers: A Brief History & Gazetteer. [Place unknown]: Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society. p. 12.

[13] Directories. England. (1875) The Post Office Directory of Somersetshire. London: Kelly And Co. p. 345.

[14] Deaths (CR) England. Bridgwater, Somerset. 20 June 1876. SYMONS, Sophia. Entry no. 123.

[15] Marriages (CR) England. Register Office, Aston District, Warwickshire. 18 July 1878. SYMONS, William and FORD, Charlotte. Entry no. 63.

[16] Census. 1881. England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershre. PN: RG11/2536. FL 41. ED 9. p. 24. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[17] Census. 1861. England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. PN: RG9/1767. FL 109. SN 97. ED 7. p. 19. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[18] Census. 1891. England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. PN: RG12/2016. FL 4. ED 11. p. 2. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[19] Census. 1901. England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. PN: RG13/2431. FL 195. SN 141. ED 33. p. 23. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[20] Census. 1911. England. Gloucester Southern, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, 325. PN: RG14/15304. ED 10. SN 169. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 07 July 2020.

[21] Deaths (CR) England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. 20 July 1895. SYMONS, Charlotte. Entry no. 334.

[22] Deaths (CR) England. Gloucester Southern, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. 29 August 1911. SYMONS, William. Entry no. 123.

The Symons family: Part one- Humble beginnings

Welcome to the first in a series of posts about my Somerset Brickmaking family. This has been a long time in coming but I am very excited to share this with you all now.

In a previous post about family heirlooms, I talked about a family tapestry and a roof tile that I was given. Both of these heirlooms come from (or relate to) the Symons family of Bridgwater, Somerset and their descendants. This story begins with the story of a family, but soon becomes the story of a business and a house as well.

The very beginning...

This story starts on the 26 December 1805 with the baptism of William Symons, at St. Andrew’s church in Stogursey, Somerset.[1] He was the final and ninth child of James Symons and his wife Hannah. It is very possible that his father James died in 1807, when William was only two years old.[2] I have not yet tracked down all of William’s siblings, but it is quite likely that Hannah then had many of her children left to look after. It may have been that William’s early life was quite hard with the death of his father and the death of the family’s main provider. I can’t wait to get back into the Somerset Heritage Centre to try to discover more about William and his parents! Stogursey itself was not only rural, but local place names contain allusions to the use of clay (‘Claypits’), sand (‘Sandpits’) and brickmaking. There was a field named ‘Brick Yard’ in the nearby hamlet of Knighton.[3] This may or may not have been an area in which James Symons worked, but it was certainly an important theme in his son’s future.

Jumping forward a few years, William married Ann Cook on the 09 January 1826 at St. Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol.[4] Banns were also recorded at St. Mary, Bridgwater for the couple in August of 1825.[5] Over the years, they had eight children: William, James, John, Mary Ann, Clifford, Ellen, Adelaide and Orlando. The last two sadly died very young. It also seems that William was not involved in the Brickmaking trade straight away, as the 1841 census records his occupation as that of an agricultural labourer living in Hamp, near Bridgwater.[6] By 1851, William has moved with his family to the nearby settlement of Huntworth, but is now the master of a brickyard.[7] Slater’s Directory of Somerset for 1852-1853 records three separate brick and tile makers in Bridgwater: Browne & Co. (The Quay), John B Hammill (Saltland Cottage) and John Sealy (The Quay).[8] It is possible that William worked for one of these three before creating his own company with Thomas Colthurst in 1857.[9]

 Family tree for William Symons (1805-1876) © Shersca Genealogy 2020.

The Growth of an Industry

The Bridgwater area became renowned for making bricks and tiles in the 19^th century. The industry had grown popular both due to the natural deposits of clay in the River Parrett^[10] and the invention of more cost-effective production techniques.^[11] The growth of the rail network in Somerset meant that bricks and tiles could be transported out of the area.^[12] This led to a myriad of companies plying their trade throughout what is now the Sedgemoor district. One of these companies was Colthurst, Symons & Co., which owned at least seven brick and tile works around the Bridgwater area at the height of their production.^[13]

Up until William’s death in 1876, he lived in various residences in Bridgwater, re-marrying after the death of his wife Ann in 1868.[14] Confusingly, his second wife was called Annie[15] and they had a daughter named Hannah Nancy Symons (b. 1872).[16] William died on the 03 January 1876 in Bridgwater and by this time was a merchant.[17] That is quite a step up from agricultural labourer! His son Clifford was one of the executors of his will and from Census records, William’s sons James, John and Clifford were all involved in the brick and tile making business in some capacity.

William's sons

James was a potter, first in Bishop’s Hull[18] and then at the Symons Brickyard in Bristol Road, Bridgwater.[19] By 1871, he was living in Castle Villa, Castle Fields and had graduated to Brickyard Manager.[20] Ten years later, he was residing at 6, Symons Buildings and the foreman of a brickworks.[21]

The next brother, John, happened to be living in Bishop’s Hull next door to brother James in 1851. He was a Brick and Tile Merchant. There seems to be a bit of a connection in the family to South Hamlet in Gloucester, as John (a brickmaker) was living there in 1861.[22] The other connection is with his older brother William, but more about that next time. John had moved to North Petherton (Crossway House) to run the Tile Works there by 1871[23] and moved again by 1881, into Bridgwater.[24] He lived on Salmon Lane (later Salmon Parade) and was again the manager of a brick works. He lived at no. 16 until his death in 1917.[25]

Youngest brother Clifford was also a brick merchant and lived in Bridgwater for most of the Census records found.[26] [27]

William senior’s other children William and Mary Ann will be the subjects of other posts. That leaves Ellen. Now Ellen wasn’t really involved in the business (being a daughter and not a son) and her husband was not involved either. I would like to mention Ellen and her husband though, because her husband’s will has a very interesting paragraph which gives an indication of the state of the family relationships.

 The Colthurst, Symons & Co. roof tile that was given
to me by a fellow historian. © Shersca Genealogy, 2020

A curious statement

Ellen’s husband was James Cook[28] and the couple had moved from Bridgwater to Weston Super Mare by 1901.[29] From James’ will,[30] it seems that not only was he a solicitor, but a former Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk for Bridgwater. He asks that a stained glass window be provided by his trustees in the Eastern Wall of the South Chapel of St. Mary’s Church in Bridgwater. There was to be a brass plaque underneath declaring that “This window was given by James Cook J P and for nine years Town Clerk of Bridgwater in memory of his parents.” He also gave an oil painting of himself to the Corporation of Bridgwater and a photograph of himself in his official Town Clerk robes.

This certainly gives an indication of James’ status and also the status of Ellen’s family, in the fact that they married at all. But as the saying goes, you can’t choose your family. It certainly seems that James loved his wife, but not her family. In his will, he says, ‘…I am not indebted to the extent of one shilling to any Member of the Symons family some of whom have treated me badly for many years…’ I haven’t yet acquired all of the wills for the family- there were so many children in each generation that it will be quite a task. Perhaps they will make just as interesting reading!

The Symons Brickmaking dynasty had quite humble origins, but seemed to hit upon the right business, in the right place, at the right time. It was very much a family affair and continued to be for about the next 100 years. Next time, the transient life of William senior’s eldest son William…

Copyright © 2020 Shersca Genealogy

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[1] Baptisms (PR) England. Stogursey, Somerset. 26 December 1805. SYMONS, William. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[2] Burials (PR) England. Stogursey, Somerset. 15 June 1807. SYMONS, James. Collection: Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[3] Baggs, A. P. and Siraut, M. C. (1992) 'Stogursey.' In: Dunning, R. W. and Elrington, C. R. eds. A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6, Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and Neighbouring Parishes). London: Victoria County History. pp. 130-136. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol6/pp130-136 : accessed 06 July 2020.

[4] Marriages (PR) England. St. Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol. 09 January 1826. SYMONS, William and COOK, Ann. Collection: Bristol, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[5] Marriage Banns (PR) England. St. Mary, Bridgwater, Somerset. 07, 14, 21 August 1825. SYMONS, William and COOK, Ann. Collection: Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[6] Census. 1841. England. Hamp, Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: HO107/971. FL 48. BN 2. ED 4. p. 39. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[7] Census. 1851. England. Huntworth Basan, North Petherton, Somerset. PN: HO107/1924. FL 278. SN 73. ED 6c. p. 19. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 July 2020.

[8] Directories. England. (1852-1853)               

Slater's Royal National and Commercial Directory and Topography of the counties of Berkshire, Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somersetshire, Wiltshire, and South Wales, 1852-53. Manchester and London: Isaac Slater. p. 52 [761] https://cdm16445.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/100626/rec/7 : accessed 06 July 2020.

[9] Tweedie, Andrew. Colthurst, Symons and Co. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Colthurst,_Symons_and_Co : accessed 06 July 2020.

[10] Smedley, B. (1986) The Bridgwater Brickyard Strike of 1896. [Unknown]: Sheep Worrying Books. p. 7.

[11] Porter, E. (c.1970) Bridgwater Industries Past and Present. Bridgwater: Porter. p. 15.

[12] Burnham-on-sea.com. Burnham-on-sea History Pages. http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/history.shtml : accessed 05 February 2018.

[13] Capture Highbridge. BRICK AND TILE PRODUCTION. https://capturehighbridge.wordpress.com/industry/brick-and-tile-production/ : accessed 05 February 2018.

[14] Deaths index (CR) England & Wales. RD: Axbridge, Somerset. 3^rd Q., 1868. SYMONS, Ann. Vol. 5c. p. 368. http://www.freebmd.org.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[15] Marriages (CR) England. Congregational Chapel, Bridgwater, Somerset. 16 August 1869. SYMONS, William and BOWDEN, Annie. Entry no. 62.

[16] Births index (CR) England & Wales. RD: Bridgwater, Somerset. 3^rd Q., 1872. SYMONS, Hannah. Vol. 5c. p. 411. http://www.freebmd.org.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[17] Testamentary records. England. 02 February 1876. SYMONS, William. Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the grants of probate. p. 285. Collection: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[18] Census. 1851. England. Bishop’s Hull, Taunton, Somerset. PN: HO107/1923. FL 189. SN 55. ED 2b. p. 16. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[19] Census. 1861. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG9/1625. FL 27. SN 269. ED 9. p. 47. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[20] Census. 1871. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG10/2387. FL 28. SN 276. ED 9. p. 48. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[21] Census. 1881. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG11/2375. FL 47. ED 9. p. 30. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[22] Census. 1861. England. South Hamlet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. PN: RG9/1767. FL 109. SN 97. ED 7. p. 19. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[23] Census. 1871. England. North Petherton, Somerset. PN: RG10/2381. FL 22. SN 81. ED 2. p. 16. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[24] Census. 1881. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG11/2375. FL 107. ED 11. p. 26. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[25] Testamentary records. England. 12 January 1918. SYMONS, John Rodamond. Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the grants of probate. p. 415. Collection: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[26] Census. 1871. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG10/2385. FL 82. SN 116. ED 3. p. 21. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[27] Census. 1891. England. Bridgwater, Somerset. PN: RG12/1883. FL 97. ED 6. p. 21. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[28] Marriages (CR) England. Christ Church Chapel, Bridgwater, Somerset. 15 April 1858. COOK, James and SYMONS, Ellen. Entry no. 188.

[29] Census. 1901. England. Weston Super Mare, Somerset. PN: RG13/2326. FL 54. SN 10. ED 21. p. 2. http://www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 July 2020.

[30] Testamentary records. England. 14 March 1912. COOK, James. Will. Found in family documents held by Rhiannon Lloyd.

Searching for a Stourton connection…

Stourton Church, Wiltshire: The resting place
of members of the Stourton family.

Today’s post is one I have been planning for a little while now, but have only now got around to writing. A few weeks ago, I mentioned an online resource in one of my posts relating to the coronavirus pandemic. This resource was the History of Parliament Online. Today I will be going into more detail about the site and how it has helped me in my own research for an elusive link to a Medieval Somerset family.

 

Most of my ancestors, in whatever county, seem to have been fairly ordinary. Where occupations are recorded, they were generally agricultural labourers. If you think about how rural Somerset and the other South-Western counties are in comparison to others, then that kind of makes sense. The further back in time you travel, the number of people that are recorded, gets smaller. As you travel before the introduction of parish baptisms, marriages and burials in 1538 (at the earliest), the percentage of the population being record becomes more limited. Generally speaking, you will only find those who held land of some sort. Manorial records may give details of people lower down the social ladder- more on those another time.

History of Parliament Online

There are many resources which can tell you more about your ‘landed’ ancestors, but one that I found particularly interesting recently was History of Parliament Online. I mentioned in my previous post that it includes biographical details about Members of Parliament, but it does much more than that. It is an online extension of a research project called The History of Parliament. It is funded largely by the Houses of Parliament and employs a team of historians to research the history of parliamentary politics in England and later, Britain.

Some volumes have already been published and the first one covers the years 1386-1421. The project is not yet complete and there is still more research to be done for much of 15^th, 17^th and 19^th centuries. You can find more detail about the project and the years already covered in the ‘About’ section of the website. The good thing is that the years already in print can be found on the website. The website is easy enough to search for a particular person, constituency or parliament and each article is fully referenced. This is of course, very important to us genealogists, as well as to historians. It means that the articles on the website have a higher degree of credibility and you can then go and look at the documents used yourself.

Useful biographies

So how has History of Parliament Online helped me? Well, I have been tracing back a line which originated with the Symons family (my Somerset brickyard managers). Travelling further back took them through a mixture of male and female lines (Saunders, then Siddenham/Sydenham) to Stourton. I am still trying to confirm the connection (if there is one) between the Sydenhams of Lydeard St. Lawrence (Somerset) and the Stourton family who were land holders in the county and played a part in county and country politics too.

In my quest to find out more information about the Stourtons (in the hope it would lead me to a link), I came upon some biographies about some of the male members of the family on History of Parliament Online. They were all from the earliest group of records (1386-1421). There may well be more to find in the future as the rest of the 15^th century is still being researched.

John Stourton of Preston Plucknett

What used to be the site of Preston Plucknett
Manor- a familiar place to John Stourton.

The first Stourton found was John Stourton of Preston Plucknett, who died in 1438.¹ His entry on History of Parliament Online first gives the constituency he served as a Member of Parliament and the dates: Somerset, between 1419-1421, 1423, 1426, 1429 and 1435. It then gives an account of his family and education, the offices he held and then a detailed biography, followed by notes and references. The most important details for my family history are firstly the relationship details. The article tells me that he was the younger son of John Stourton of Stourton in Wiltshire and his mother was Alice, his father’s second wife. It also tells me that he was the half brother of William Stourton (the subject of another of the articles found). The names of John’s three wives are recorded and where known, their parentage, vital dates and possible marriage dates.

John’s biography section gives a lot more detail about his life. It seems he was a lawyer, working mostly with his half-brother William. Details are recorded about his work for Royal Commissions and the family’s relationship to the church. The wonderful thing about the article, is that it does not just talk about John, but his siblings, the marriages of his daughters and the subsequent marriages of his wife after John’s death. This helps to connect female ancestral lines, which are more difficult to research the further back in time that you go; male ancestors appeared in records a great deal more.

The details that can be filled in about John’s life are brilliant for any genealogist and give a sense of the man that you might not get for other ancestors of the same period. An entry like this is only as good as the sources available though. If a landed ancestor did not do anything of note, then they may not have been recorded in the same variety of records as John Stourton. Sometimes, an ancestor is only as important as the status of their family. As John’s biography notes, it seems that the Stourton family were held in some regard already by the time that John came along. I have come across various articles and histories about the family.

Is it worth it?

For the biographies of William Stourton (John’s brother)² and his son (also named John),³ the level of detail is similar. Familial relationships are given, details of occupations, land and contents of wills can also be seen. It makes the website well worth looking at if you have a landed ancestor. If there is a possibility that he (and in this time-period, men are certainly more likely) was an MP, then he might appear on the website. Even if you don’t know whether he was an MP or not, I think it is still worth checking History of Parliament online. It is a very small undertaking for a potentially large reward.

Unfortunately for me, I am still searching and trying to verify my connection to the Stourton family. My problem area lies just outside of the years available on History of Parliament Online. Time to look at other records and resources!

References:

1. Roskell, J. S., Clark, L. and Rawcliffe, C., eds. (1993) ‘STOURTON, John I (d.1438), of Preston Plucknett, Som.’ in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421. Martlesham: Boydell and Brewer. https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/member/stourton-john-i-1438#footnoteref1_k8tsh2i : accessed 10 June 2019.
2. Roskell, J. S. and Kightly, Charles. (1993) ‘STOURTON, William (d.1413), of Stourton, Wilts.’ in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421. Martlesham: Boydell and Brewer. https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/member/stourton-william-1413 : accessed 10 June 2019.
3. Richmond and Woodger, L. S. (1993) ‘STOURTON, John II (1400-1462), of Stourton, Wilts.’ in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1386-1421. Martlesham: Boydell and Brewer. https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/member/stourton-john-ii-1400-62 : accessed 10 June 2019.

 

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