Research Forum

Thomas Gilpin Johnson
published by on Mon, 23/09/2013 - 9:44

Hi
Your site and members have previously helped me with research and this is a follow up question.

My great great grandfather died in Ireland aged about 77. Probate Record states

JOHNSON the reverend Thomas Gilpin of 12 Severn-road Weston-super-Mare clerk died 20 July 1916. Effect to Ellen Johnson widow.

I have since found that 12-14 Silvern Road is "Innisfree" Residential Care Home and wondered about the history of this building, and what it was in 1916.

Would appreciate any feedback

Thanks Fiona

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Mon, 23/09/2013 - 23:51

If you look at the 1911 census - using the address search facility on FindmyPast - you will see that there was a single family living at 12 Severn Road at that time. Mr & Mrs John WILLIAMS, their two daughters and a live-in general servant. This was fairly typical for the residents of Severn Road.

I have a street directory for 1917 and that shows an Edward POORE, as head of Household and the house with the name of "Lyndale". He was still there in 1922/3. In 1911 Edward POORE and family had been living nearby in Clifton Road.

The Care Home covers 12-16 Severn Road (3 houses) and no 12 was originally a semi-detached Victorian Villa built in the 1890s. Plans for the buildings in Severn Road can be seen in the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton. If you haven't already done so take a look at the road on Google Street View - although some changes have been made to No 12 you will be able to see by looking at the rest what it would have looked like in 1916.

Submitted by on Tue, 24/09/2013 - 12:55

Does any one know anything about reverend Thomas Johnson did he have anything to do with churches in Weston super mare?

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 25/09/2013 - 2:04

There are several newspaper articles which include a mention of his name - mainly formal Church Announcements - they trace his career in the church until his retirement in late 1910 in Launceston, Cornwall. See this entry in the London Gazette about his pension.

I can find no reference to his having a position in Weston-super-Mare.

Submitted by on Wed, 25/09/2013 - 21:40

Thanks Pat
Have seen the pension article, perhaps I will have to contact the churches he held positions at to find out more.
In the 1911 UK census Thomas and Ellen were living in Teynham Kent, listed as lodgers in some villas. (Under the name Thomas Gispin Johnson)
So I am presuming they were boarding in Severn Road.
Still don't know what happened to Ellen after his death in 1916, but she seems to have died not long after him, wonder if she was still living there?