Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society

Research Forum

Banwell Family
published by on Wed, 12/02/2014 - 12:40

I would like some help to find information about my ggg grandmother Mary Ann Watts (nee Banwell) born about 1806 at Kewstoke and died 17 November 1873. She married Emanuel (or Emannuel) Watts but I have no marriage date. Her death certificate gives her parents as John Banwell and Mary Ann Coles. Any more details you can help with would be greatly appreciated.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 12/02/2014 - 16:19

Emmanuel WATTS married Mary Ann BANWELL on the 23rd Dec 1829 at St John's Church Bedminster. You can find the transcription on the CDs available from the Bristol & Avon Family History Society. Many couples from this area were married in Bristol.

Her parents John BANWELL and Mary Ann COLES were married in Kewstoke in 1808 - you can see the details in the transcriptions on our own site. Although their daughter, Mary Ann BANWELL states on the Assisted Passenger Immigration Lists that she was born in Worle I can't see a christening for her (her younger siblings are there) - perhaps someone else can spot her.

Coincidentally, did you see the Query which was posted a few days ago with the photo of all the trophies? I haven't been able to link this John BANWELL with the John BANWELL who married Mary Ann COLES but you never know!

Submitted by on Thu, 13/02/2014 - 10:33

Thanks Pat. Yes it was the photo of the trophies and the question about John Banwell that inspired me to put up the question. I wondered if someone might be interested in finding a link.

Submitted by on Thu, 28/07/2016 - 11:37

I have done quite a bit of research on the Banwell and Watts families who emigrated to Australia in 1848. Emanuel Watts snr is buried in Toowoomba cemetery as is Mary Ann Watts (nee Banwell). Mary Ann's grave is not marked but Emanuel snr has a gravestone erected by his eldest son James Watts. Emanuel jnr - Emanuel snr youngest son was my great grandfather.

Submitted by on Thu, 13/02/2014 - 12:40

G'day John
Pat's details re the marriage of Mary Ann's parents are indeed correct.

Kewstoke Marriages 1808
John Banwell of this Parish Batchelor and Mary Coles spinster of the same Parish, married in this Church by Banns this 18th Day of February by me Thos. Smith Officiating Minister.
Signed: John Banwell
Mark: Mary Coles
In the presence of us: Nancy Banwell, Susannah Day

North Somerset Marriage Index 1754-1837
18 Feb 1808, Kewstoke
Banwell, John Bach & Mary Coles, Spin bans

Searching further though, I also found the following

1805 Worle Parish Records Baptisms:
Mary Ann illegitimate daughter of Mary Coles July 14th.

Submitted by on Mon, 17/02/2014 - 12:18

Ooh! There's a skeleton that's been buried for a long time. It raises some questions doesn't it? Like - was John Banwell her birth father? If not who? Was this a scandal at that time? Did they come to Australia to get away from the stigma?

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 18/02/2014 - 22:33

Well spotted Greg, although I think you will find that the Christening of Mary COLES, illegitimate daughter of Mary COLES took place on the 14th July 1805 in Kewstoke Parish Church, not at Worle.

As the 1851 census suggests that Mary BANWELL nee COLES was born in Stogursey, if this is the same Mary COLES it looks as if she had been living in Kewstoke for some time prior to her marriage. It may be that her pregnancy is mentioned in the Overseers' Accounts for Kewstoke in case any child might be chargeable to the parish.These records can be seen in the Somerset Heritage Centre at Taunton but also on film at LDS Family History Centres.

From the LDS Catalogue for Kewstoke - Microfilm 1849672 includes Removal orders, 1737-1847; settlement examinations, 1737-1837; bastardy papers, 1748-1833;

Submitted by on Tue, 18/02/2014 - 17:47

I'm interested that my great great grandmother who was buried in 1912 in Hewish Churchyard, was also born Mary Ann Watts, but I'm pretty sure that was she was born in Puxton.

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 19/02/2014 - 21:47

What was Mary Ann's surname when she died? She should appear on the 1911census which ought to confirm her place of birth.

By a series of deductions I think she might have been the Mary Ann PALMER whose death was registered in the June Quarter of 1912. If so, there is a christening of a Mary Ann WATTS in Puxton in 1833, the daughter of a George & Susan WATTS of Puxton.

Can you confirm that she was buried at Hewish? Our online transcriptions do not go that far but I cannot see her burial in a printed copy of the transcriptions which does cover 1912.

Submitted by Graham Payne on Thu, 20/02/2014 - 7:23

Mary Ann Watts was baptised 29 December 1833 in Puxton dau of George & Susan Watts.

Mary married Charles Palmer 14 Nov 1853 in Bedminster.

Although Mary died in 1912 her burial is not recorded in Hewish or Puxton parish records.

Submitted by Marion Hollingsbee on Thu, 20/02/2014 - 23:24

Mary Ann Palmer was my 2xgreat Grandmother. George Palmer was one of her sons and lived with her for the longest, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was living with George and his wife and died there in Yatton. I know that the Burials only go up to 1886 for Yatton but a trip to the churchyard might be useful!