Research Forum

Henry Withers c1828, PORTISHEAD.
published by on Sat, 28/11/2015 - 16:34

I am researching my wife's ancestry and have struggled to find birth/baptism of Henry WITHERS. In census returns for 1861, 1871 and 1881 he is listed as born 1827/1829 in PORTISHEAD, a Pilot. Any help in finding his baptism would be appreciated.
Also if anybody can find him in 1841 & 1851 census returns that would also help.
Thanking you in advance.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sun, 29/11/2015 - 23:59

You didn't mention his wife but on Scribes Alcove, a website covering a number of Gloucestershire parishes including Berkeley (her birthplace on the census entries) there is this entry on the 22nd Dec 1852 of a marriage of a 24 year-old Sailor, Henry WITHERS - father William WITHERS, Builder, to a 20 year-old Eliza BRUTON whose father is William BRUTON, Pilot.

They are both said to be living at Wanswell which is between Berkeley and the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. At least this gives you Henry's father's name and occupation.

On the 1851 Census an unmarried 22 year-old Henry WITHERS, a mariner, is lodging in Bristol but his place of birth is said to be Bridgwater.

There is a burial of a 17 month old baby called William WITHERS in Portishead in 1827 which looks as if there might have been a family thereat that time but as there are no other WITHERS recorded there it does seem that they were moving about a bit so although he thought he came from Portishead they might have only lived there for a very short time.

Submitted by on Fri, 04/12/2015 - 15:55

Hi Pat,

Many thanks for the info, will look into Bridgwater records.

You might be right about him thinking he was born in Portishead. In 1841 census there is a Henry Withers age 16 at a William and Hannah Jenkins house in Portishead.

Thanks again.

Joe

Submitted by Roy Smith on Fri, 04/12/2015 - 19:07

Hi Joe

The 1841 Census shows a Henry Withers, aged 13, living with Uriah Lynham, a Mason, in Pawlett, North Petherton. Registration District Bridgwater.

Henry's marriage certificate in 1852 gives his rank or profession as Sailor therefore it is possible he was at sea at the time the 1851 census was taken.

I hope this helps.

Roy Smith