Charles Bidwell (son of John Bidwell and Ann Salmon) was born 21 Feb 1860 in 11, Lower Castle Street, Bristol, and died 18 Feb 1899 in Woolpack Public House, Ellbroad Street , Bristol. He married Susan Fowler on 10 Mar 1879 in Parish Church of St Philip & St Jacob, Bristol, daughter of Joseph Fowler and Elizabeth Brady.
Notes for Charles Bidwell: Charles Bidwell was born on 21st February 1860 at 11 Lower Castle Street, Bristol. The second child of John Bidwell and Ann Salmon. Very little is known about his early life but on the 10th March 1879, at the age of 19, he married Susan Fowler. His occupation was then listed as a Labourer.
Abraham, the first of twelve children was born just over a month later on 21st March 1879.
The 1881 Census records show that the family was living at 24 Philidelphia Street, St Pauls. At that time Charles stated he was an unemoployed labourer and Susan a Fish Hawker. Abraham was just 2 and Charles 5 months. By 1933 there is no record of these premises.
A photograph exists of Charles and his three sons Abraham, Charles and Edward. The photo has the name Watts and an address at Royal Promenade. After a lot of searching I came across an old street map of Bristol which shows that Royal Promenade was originally on Queens Road at Clifton. This rank of shops with it's impressive colonades eventually became a large department store. Further investigation showed that Watts was quite a famous photographer. This adds to the authentication of the photograph.
Charles Bidwell died of Apoplexy as the result of being involved in a fight with William Henley on the 18 February 1899, outside of the Woolpack Public House in Ellbroad Street, St Pauls, Bristol. This incident is well documented, with reports of the magistrates hearings being reported in the local papers at that time.
At the time of his death Charles, who is recorded as being a costermonger, was a relatively wealthy man. He had several properties namely a dwelling house and cottages at 5, Hollister Street and a dwelling house at 9 Cross Street. These were in the parish of St.Pauls. At some time it has been said they apparently owned a Pickle Factory in the St Judes area.
Following his untimely death, his widow Susan Bidwell was on the 14th March 1899, granted letters of administration. These show the value of his estate to be £687-5s-3p along with a personal estate if £116-2s-9p. which by todays standards would be worth approx. £47675 and £8060 respectively
On October 13th 1899, following instructions given by Susan Bidwell, the properties were sold at auction. At that time she resided at 6 Albion Road, Eastville.
Susan Bidwell remarried in June 1900 to James Charles Harvey. She subsequently gave birth to four more children from this marriage. She died at Snowdon House, Snowdon Road, Fishponds on 18th August 1943 aged 83 and was buried in Avon View Cemetery.
More About Charles Bidwell: Burial: Greenbank Cemetry. Fact 1: 18 Feb 1899, At Time of death resided at 5 Hollister Street, St Pauls, Bristol. Fact 2: 1899, He was buried at Greenbank Cemetry.
More About Charles Bidwell and Susan Fowler: Death of one spouse: 18 Feb 1899, Bristol. Marriage: 10 Mar 1879, Parish Church of St Philip & St Jacob, Bristol.
Children of Charles Bidwell and Susan Fowler are:
+Abraham Bidwell, b. 21 Mar 1879, Bristol, d. 04 Mar 1950, Bristol.
+Charles Bidwell, b. 24 Sep 1880, Bristol, d. 10 Jun 1946, Bristol.
+Edward Bidwell, b. 12 Mar 1882, 7 Narrow Plain, Bristol, d. 21 Oct 1954, Bristol Mental Hospital, Stapleton, Bristol.
John Bidwell, b. 18 Feb 1885, Bristol, d. 06 Sep 1888, Bristol.
+Annie Bidwell, b. 05 Apr 1886, Bristol, d. 06 Nov 1941, Bristol.
+Henry Bidwell, b. 23 Nov 1887, 10 Penn Street, Bristol.
John Bidwell, b. 20 Jul 1889, Bristol, d. 30 Sep 1889, Bristol.
Daniel Bidwell, b. 04 Dec 1890, Bristol, d. 12 Mar 1891, Penn St, Bristol.
Charles Bidwell (b. 21 Feb 1860, d. 18 Feb 1899)
Notes for Charles Bidwell: