Weston-super-Mare & District Family History Society

Research Forum

HORSTMANN/PFAFF/HA(R)SE
published by Jenny Towey on Thu, 30/04/2020 - 13:44

Are there any descendants of Franz Heinrich (known as Henry) HORSTMANN and his second wife Christine Louise PFAFF who would like to tell me more about their watchmaking ancestors?

This German couple married Nov 7th 1893 in the Parish church of Christ Church in WsM. She was probably the sister of witness Friedrich Wilhelm Ewald PFAFF - the German bandmaster in WsM. (however, PFAFF is also the name of many German watch & clockmakers who came to UK to learn/improve and market their wares).

I am (slowly) researching material for a book on German watch & clockmakers in the UK and came across this couple...

What also intrigued me was, on the same page as their marriage entry, the details for a John RICH marrying Charlotte Mary HARSE...she of 35 Meadow St and d/o Joseph HARSE, butcher...how about that for coincidences....?!!

Jenny Towey

jenny@towey.me.uk

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sun, 03/05/2020 - 15:21

Much as I would love to say that Charlotte Mary HARSE was one of the HASEs I don't think there is any connection. There are numerous examples of HASE being mistaken for HARSE - in fact I have one case in which the "H" was missing from the HARSE and it was one of ours!!

I have a copy of the autobiography of Frederick Karl PFAFF who was a son of Friedrich Wilhelm Ewald PFAFF. At one point he talks about visiting his father's home in Arborn, Nassau but he says he can't remember anything about his father's family! Later he comments that two sisters of his father came to Weston, but one married and emigrated to Canada - was that Christine Louise?

Submitted by Bill Caple on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 13:16

Submitted by Jenny Towey on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 14:21

...that's a gorgeous photo, Bill - thanks so much!!

Do you know who they all are...?

Jenny

Submitted by Bill Caple on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 16:36

The only thing I know is that it is the HORSTMANN family at Meadow Villas Weston-s-Mare.

Bill.

Submitted by Graham Payne on Thu, 07/05/2020 - 9:22

The Following HORSTMANN'S are buried in Milton Road Cemetery.

Wilfred Bertram 1873

Mary Ann 1874

Eliza 1892

Francis Henry 1911

Christine Louise 1925

Ella 1953

Robert William 1954.

Francis Henry & Robert William were watchmakers.

More details can be found in the burial register transcriptions on this site.

Submitted by Jenny Towey on Thu, 07/05/2020 - 9:30

Thanks, Graham: excellent info...