Research Forum

BROWN, George of Banwell, Hewish and Axbridge Workhouse
published by AnnieD on Mon, 24/02/2014 - 11:51

Charles BROWN baptised at Congresbury 1816 (my GG grandfather) was the son of George and Sarah BROWN, his first wife, Sarah died 5 months after Charles was born. George married again in 1824 to Margaret URCH and possibly married for a third time after Maragret died in 1826, both wives are buried at Yatton and were both from Hewish. According to Charles Brown's 1816 baptism transcription and 1842 marriage certificate in Brynmawr, Wales, Charles states his father as George Brown, occupation carpenter. George I suspect was born in Banwell 1774 to James BROWN, sexton of Banwell.

In 1853, a George BROWN, 80 years, died in Axbridge Workhouse, and was buried at Puxton, whom I suspect is the George Brown of Banwell. Does anyone have any information on George Browns admission to Axbridge workhouse prior to 1851 or any other information. In 1851, there is a George Brown is listed on the Axbridge Workhouse Census as being 68 yrs and a Master Carpenter of Banwell. The tale of how I have found my way back from Wales to Weston in really long winded and taken 16 years to unravel. I am really grateful if anyone could help me please.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Mon, 24/02/2014 - 18:40

George BROWN died in Axbridge Workhouse on the 12th May 1853. The Death Register - Ref D/G/AX 69/1 - can be found in the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton along with other documents relating to the Axbridge Poor Law Union and there is a transcription on our site . Unfortunately the early Admission and Discharge Registers have not survived so I doubt if you will find any more details about how long he had been resident there.

Do you have his death certificate ? Although the death is likely to have been registered by an Official of the Workhouse there is just a small possibility that a relation might have been with him when he died.

I agree with you that the George BROWN who was in the Workhouse in 1851 is most probably the same man. The Workhouse had an Infirmary which pre-dated any free hospitals in the area and it is possible that he was admitted because he was in need of medical attention. Do you know where he was in 1841?

Submitted by on Tue, 25/02/2014 - 10:36

Hi,

I want to thank you for this info on Margaret URCH, I had her Marriage record in Congresbury on the 12 April 1824 but didn't connect it up because I considered her to be too old for this marriage which was 41 years old.

Margaret Urch was baptised in Yatton on the 11 August 1782, daughter of William & Sarah URCH nee SURBET. Her father William URCH was baptised in Yatton on the 5 April 1738 and her Grandparents were William & Sarah Urch nee MANNING.

Her Grandfather William URCH was baptised in Banwell on the 16 January 1698/9 to parents John & Ann URCH, but as yet I have no details of this couple, except that John URCH must have been born circa 1668.

One snippet of info and that is William & Sarah URCH nee MANNING were also parents to a Thomas URCH who married Eleanor CORNISH and their son Thomas URCH was the benefactor to Thomas HARVEY whose Wine Business was on the verge of Administration until Thomas URCH loaned £6,000 to Thomas HARVEY around the early 1800's to save this Company. This Company eventually changed to Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry which is still known today.

I would love to know how Thomas URCH accmulated such a lot of money, his Will was in excess of £10,000, a lot of money in those days.

I have a copy of Thomas URCH's Will and one of his heirs was Helen Manning JOTHAM maiden name of HARVEY. She was the daughter of Thomas & Ann HARVEY nee URCH. Ann HARVEY was the sister of Thomas URCH and Granddaughter of Sarah MANNING.

So there is a bit of History to this connection.

For my records, do you know Sarah BROWN's maiden name, if not I will do some research.

Thank you

Alun URCH