My Genealogy Home Page:Information about James Smith
James Smith (b. 1791, d. 1867)
Notes for James Smith:
11/02/07
James Smith
This James is the oldest direct relative I've so far found on my paternal side. He was born in 1791 in the village of Arlington, Bibury, Gloucestershire. He first appeared in the 1841 Census. By which time he was married with a family. His wife is named as Elizabeth who is shown to be aged 46. He's listed as being a carpenter. Which means that the trade of carpentry ran through my fathers side right the way through to my grandfather-four generations no less. The 1841 Census states that he was born in the hundred of Brightwells Barrow, Bibury, Gloucestershire. The 'image' shows the family to be living in Arlington.
Living with James and Elizabeth in the 1841 Census were six children, three boys and three girls. The oldest being James aged 17; closely followed by Charles aged 16; William aged 12; Mary aged 10; Martha aged 6 through to Susannah aged 2 .I sought to find out when he married, and assumed it was before 1824 when they had their first child. I sent for Susannah's birth certificate, from which I was able to find out , that her mother Elizabeth's maiden name was Hatt
Sometime between 1841 and 1851 the family must have made the decision to move to London. It seems reasonable to assume that this was due to the need for James and the older boys to find work in their trade as carpenters, wherein staying put in Arlington would have probably meant finding other means of making a living. The other factor was that the Great Western Railway was opened between London and Gloucestershire in the years between 1841 and 1851. It was interesting to note that the whole family with the exception of Mary went to live in London.
By the time of the next census in 1851, the family had moved to Hammersmith in West London. They were living in the village of Starch Green, in the Ecclesiastical district of St Stephens (now part of Shepherds Bush). They were living at 9 Lavina Terrace, which was shown to be in the sub registration district of St Pauls. Living with James and Elizabeth was their youngest child Susannah aged 11 shown to have been born in Arlington, Gloucestershire. Elizabeth was shown as being born in Farringdon, Gloucestershire. James was listed as being a carpenter/journeyman, born in Fairford, Gloucestershire.
Sadly James wife Eilzabeth died the following year.
Living next door was his son Charles, also a carpenter. He was living with his wife Susan and their daughter Louisa aged 2 and born in Starch Green, Hammersmith. Susan was shown to have been born in Bodney, Norfolk and is aged 22 at this time. They were married in Kensington in 1849. This meant that the family must have travelled down prior to 1849.
The two families were adjacant to the 'Travellers Rest' which was listed as being a 'beersellers place'.Lavina Terrace no longer exists, but it seems reasonable to assume that it was close to the main Uxbridge Rd. or Starch Green Rd (re named Askew Rd)
The 1861 Census shows James (1791) to have been born in Fairford (not Arlington) but nevertheless nearbye. He is still living with his son Charles, and is named as a 'boarder'. who looks to now be livingat number 1 Lavinia Cottage. I think they've moved , as they are shown to be next door to a public house 'The Traveller's Rest' and along from 'The Gardens'. The 'Travellers Rest' is shown to be in Victoria Road, which is now named as Paddenswick Rd, and would have been a main road at that time (and still is). James' son Charles is listed as being a 'carpenter,wheeler and blacksmith'and is a master employing four men.. The family has grown and there are now four children . in addition to James (1791) listed as being a 'boarder' there is a Martha McDermont aged 36 who is listed as being a 'lodger' Martha comes from Arlington. I suspect this is James's daughter but unable to confirm.
James Smith 1791) looks to have died in 1867.
Children of James Smith and Elizabeth Hatt are:
- +James Smith, b. 1824, Arlington, Gloucestershire, d. 1897, Kensington.
- Martha Smith, b. 1837, Arlington, Gloucestershire, d. date unknown.
- William Smith, b. 1828, Arlington, Gloucstershire, d. date unknown.
- +Charles Smith, b. 1825, Arlington,Gloucestershire, d. 1895, Fulham.
- +Mary Ann Smith, b. 1831, Arlington, Gloucestershire, d. date unknown.
- Susannah Smith, b. 1839, Arlington, Gloucestershire, d. date unknown.