The Bedford Family Link

 

Thomas Bedford was baptised on the 18th March 1810, in Fen Drayton Cambridgeshire. Parents William and Sarah (nee Norris?). For more information on William and Sarah and their children Click here to go “The Trunk Of Our Tree” by Murry Roberts found on the Internet site rootsweb.ancestry.com.

Thomas married Elizabeth Spring on January 1st 1832 in Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire.

Children of Thomas and Elizabeth

1.    Susan.......born about 1833, baptised on July 20th 1845, Fen Drayton

2.    Emma.......born about 1834, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

3.    Richard....... born about 1835, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

4.    Sarah....... born about 1836,

5.   Samuel....... born about 1838, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

6.       Ann....... born about 1840, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

In the 1841 Census Thomas (30) and Elizabeth (30) live on High Street, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. They have five children living with them, Susan (8), Emma (7), Richard (5), Samuel (3) and Ann (0).
Thomas’s profession is Publican.

7.    Maria....... born about 1842, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

8.    Thomas....... born about 1846, baptised on October 6th 1846, Fen Drayton

9.    William.......born about 1847

10.  George Bedford.......was born on 11th November 1849 in Fen Drayton, occupation of Thomas is 
down as Publican.

In the 1841 census, William (65) and Sarah (60) live on Church Street, Fen Drayton. Living with them is
Mary Norris (60) who I think is Sarah’s Sister, I am going on the fact that one of their children’s middle 
names is Norris and it was quite common to use the wife’s maiden name as a middle name.

I have not found any records of when William and Sarah passed away.

In the 1851 Census Thomas (41) and Elizabeth (41) live at 34 High Street, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. They have seven children living with them, Richard (14), Samuel (12), Ann (10), Maria (7), Thomas (5), William (4), and George (1).
Thomas’s profession is Publican, Richard and Samuel are down as Agricultural Labourers.
All the children are down as being born in Fen Drayton.

In the 1861 Census Thomas (51) and Elizabeth (51) live at Fen End Street, Public House Horse Shoe, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. They have five children living with them, Samuel (22), Maria (17), Thomas (16), William (14), and George (12).
Thomas’s profession is Publican, Maria’s is Publican’s Daughter and Samuel, Thomas and William are down as Agricultural Labourers.

In the 1871 Census Thomas (61) and Elizabeth (61) live at 28 High Street, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. They have one child living with them, Thomas (26).
Thomas’s profession is Publican and Elizabeth’s is Publican’s wife.
Their son Thomas' profession is Drillman.
Both Thomas senior and Thomas junior are down as being born in Fen Drayton.
Elizabeth is down as being born in Swavesey, Cambridgeshire.

Thomas died between 1871 and 1881

In the 1881 Census Elizabeth (71) is a widow and lives’ at the Horseshoe Public House*, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. She has her son, William (34) a widower, living with her as well as her grandson Thomas (4), who I presume is William’s son.
Elizabeth’s profession is Innkeeper and William’s is Engine Driver Ag.
Thomas is down as being born in Fen Drayton.

* Of the village's three inns the Horse and Gate, recorded from 1841, in a timber-framed 17th century cottage, closed c. 1915, while the Horseshoes on the high street, open by 1851, closed c. 1920. The largest, the Three Tuns, recorded from 1784, and still open in 1983, occupies a timber-framed house near the south end of the high street. It has a two-storey cross wing of three bays, probably early 16th-century; the one storey hall wing was rebuilt after 1600. The cross wing has to the ground floor an elaborately carved wooden ceiling, restored in 1856.

*(From: 'Fen Drayton: Introduction', A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 9: Chesterton, Northstowe, and Papworth Hundreds (1989), pp. 289-292. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=15447  Date accessed: 15 August 2011.)

In the 1891 Census Elizabeth (81) is living on Cootes Lane. Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. Still living with her 
is son, William (47) and grandson Thomas (14). 
Elizabeth’s profession is House keeper, William’s is Farm Bailiff and Thomas is an Agricultural Labourer.

I can’t find Elizabeth again in any census, so I believe she died between 1891 and 1901.

What happened to Thomas’ and Elizabeth’s children?

1.    Susan..........

2.    Emma.......... In the 1851 census, I did come across a Emma Bedford (18), born in Fen Drayton who was working as a House Servant in the village of Willingham, Cambridgeshire.

3.    Richard..........

4.    Sarah..........I believe Sarah may of died at a early age as she does not appear in any of the census

5.    Samuel.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Mar 1862 of an Samuel marrying an Sarah Milham Randall in the district of St Ives (3b 373).

In the 1871 census Samuel and Sarah (30) live at 30 The Green, Hilton, Cambridgeshire. They have five children living with them.
Samuel's profession is Agricultural Labourer.

In the 1891 census Samuel (52) and Sarah (51) live on High Street, Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire. They have one child living with them, Alice.
Samuel's profession is Agricultural Labourer.

In the 1901 census Samuel (63) and Sarah () live at The Old George, Hilton, Cambridgeshire. 
Samuel's profession is Publican/Farmer. 
Sarah is down as being born in Fen Stanton.

6.    Ann..........

7.    Maria..........

8.    Thomas..........

9.    William..........I came across an entry in the marriage register of Mar 1866  of a William marrying an Martha Poulter in the district of St Ives (3b 599), but I am not sure if this is correct! As you can see below I think George is lodging with his bother, William, but the name of William’s wife’s is Mary Ann. Had Martha died and William remarried? Yet I can’t find a death of a Martha Bedford recorded around that time.

10.  In the 1871 Census George (22) is lodging with his brother William (24) and William’s wife Mary Ann* (21) at 41 Radwell Road, Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire.                           
Both George and William’s professions are down as Ploughing Engine Driver. Mary Ann’s profession is Lace Maker.                                                                      
George and William are down as being born in Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire while Mary Ann was born in Fen Shandon, Huntingdonshire.                             

* I came across a Mary Ann who died in 1879 aged 29. In the 1881 census, William is a widower and is 
living with his mother (see above census for Elizabeth)

George Bedford and Ruth Bettles both of full age got married at the parish church of Milton Ernest on the 
8th December 1874. At the time of their marriage both are residing in Milton Ernest.
George’s Profession is Engineer and Ruth’s is Lace Maker.
George’s father is Thomas Bedford and his profession is Labourer.
Ruth’s father is Thomas Bettles and his profession is Labourer.
Thomas Bedford (George’s Brother or Father?) and Jimmy Clark are down as witnesses.

Children of George and Ruth

1.    Mercy..........born about 1869, five year’s before George and Ruth get married!  In the 1871 census Mercy (2) and her mother Ruth (23) are living with Ruth’s father Thomas (49) and brother James (19) on Radwell Road, Milton Ernest.      See The Bettles Family Link. 

2.    Richard William Bedford.......... is born on the 17th August 1875, in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire. George’s occupation is down as Farm Labourer.

3.    Emma Elizabeth..........birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1877 (Mar. 3b 325)

4.    Amy Maria.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1878 (Jun. 3b 336)

5.    Thomas George.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1879 (Sep. 3b 308)

In the 1881 Census George (32) and Ruth (33) live on Thurleigh Road, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire. They have five children living with them, Mercy (12), Richard William (5), Emma Elizabeth (4), Amy Maria (3) and
Thomas George (1). Also living with them is Ruth’s brother James Bettles (29).
Both George and James professions are down as Agricultural Labourer’s.
Ruth’s and Mercy professions are Lace Maker’s.
George is down as being born in Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, while Ruth, all the children and Ruth’s brother, James, are down as being born in Milton Ernest

6.    Leonard James.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1881 (Sep. 3b 298)

7.    Charles Samuel.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1883 (Dec. 3b 306a)

8.    Alfred Henry.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1886 (Jun. 3b 321)

9.    Walter Frederick.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1888 (Dec. 3b 299)  

In the 1891 Census George (42) and Ruth (43) live at Greensbury Cottage, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire. They
have seven children living with them, Richard W (15), Amy M (13), Thomas G (11), Leonard J (8), Charles S (7), Alfred H (5), and Walter F (2).
George’s profession is Agricultural Labourer as is his son Richard.
Leonard, Charles, Alfred and Walter are down as being born in Bolnhurst.

10.  Leonard Arthur.......... birth registered in the district of Bedford  in 1891 (Dec. 3b 313)

In the 1901 Census George (52) and Ruth (53) live at Greensbury Cottage, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire. They
have four children living with them, Charles S (17), Alfred H (15), Leonard A (9), and Walter F (12).
George’s profession is Ordinary Agricultural Labourer as is his son Charles S.
Leonard is down as being born in Bolnhurst.

Can’t find Richard in the 1901 census as we believe he spent sometime away fighting in the Boar war.

What happened to George and Ruth’s Children?

1.    Mercy..........

2.    *Richard William..........(See below)

3.    Emma Elizabeth..........

4.    Amy Maria.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Jun 1899 of a Amy M marrying a Samuel Harper in the district of Bedford (3b 781).

In the 1901 Census Samuel (32) and Amy (23) live on Ravensden Rd, Wilden, Bedfordshire. They have one child living with them, Arthur (1).
Samuel’s profession is Carter on Rds.
Samuel is down as being born in Ravensden and Arthur as being born in Wilden.

5.    Thomas George..........

6.    Leonard James..........

  7.    Charles Samuel..........married *Sarah Emma Wrench on the 6th December 1908 in Thurleigh, father  of the bride is **Thomas Wrench. I have come across five children, Frances 1909, George 1915,  Reginald 1917, Wilfred 1920 and Herbert 1923. 
 Charles died on February 1956 aged 71. (Grave  found in the parish church of St. Dunstan, Bolnhurst,  Bedfordshire). Sarah died in 1980, (Grave found in  the parish church of St. Dunstan, Bolnhurst,  Bedfordshire)

*Sarah Emma Wrench was baptised on the 24th October 1886 in Thurleigh, Parents Thomas and Mary Ann Bedford.

**Thomas Wrench married Mary Ann Dean in Thurleigh in 1883.

8.    Alfred Henry.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Sep 1908 of a Alfred H who 
got married in the district of Bedford (3b 753).

9.    Walter Frederick..........

10.  Leonard Arthur..........

2.    *Richard William Bedford (26) and Emily Petch (19) got married at Christ Church in the parish of Finchley, Middlesex on the 4th August 1902. At the time of their marriage Richard is residing at 19 Stanhope Road and Emily at 19 William Street, Finchley.                                                                        Richard’s Profession is Labourer.                                                                                                              Richard’s father is George Bedford and his profession is Engine Driver.                                           Emily’s father is William Petch and his profession is Labourer.
Down as witnesses are William Petch, Emily's father and Beatrice Petch and Gertrude Petch, Emily's sister's.                                               

Children of Richard and Emily

1.    William George Stanley.......... is born at 38 Lodge Lane, Finchley on the 28th March 1903. Richard’s occupation is down as Scaffolder.

2.    Jessie Rosina..........birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1904 (Sep. 3a 411)

3.    Ruth Daisy.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1910 (Jun. 3a 432)

In the 1911 George (62) and Ruth (63) live at Greensbury Cottage, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire.  They have two children living with them, Leonard James (29) and Leonard Arthur (19).
George’s profession is Farm Worker as is his two sons.

In the 1911 Census Richard William Bedford (35) and Emily (27) are living at 4 William Street North 
Finchley. They have three children living with them, William George Stanley (8), Jessie Rosina (6) and Ruth Daisy (1).
Richard’s profession is Builders Labourer and he is down as being born in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire.
Emily is down as being born in Finchley, Middlesex. (1883 Mar. Barnet, 3a 217) 
All the children are down as being born in Finchley, Middlesex.

4.    Emily.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1911 (Dec. 3a 799)

5.    Sidney.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1914 (Jun. 3a 868)

6.    James.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1915 (Sep. 3a 790)

7.    Queenie A.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1916 (Dec. 3a 693)

8.    Lambton A.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1920 (Mar. 3a 1017)

9.    Peggy D E.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1921 (Jun. 3a 828)

10.  Joan P.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1925 (Sep. 3a 670)

11.  Maisie.......... birth registered in the district of Barnet in 1926 (Sep. 3a 708)

What happened to Richard’s and Emily’s children?

1.    *William George Stanley..........(See below)

2.    Jessie Rosina.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Jun 1924 of a Jessie R marrying a William C Brumwell in the district of Barnet (3a 947).  They had 3 children Joyce (1925), Joan (1927) and Anthony (1933).

3.    Ruth Daisy.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Dec 1931 of a Ruth D marrying a Ernest F Barnard in the district of Barnet (3a 1225). They had 2 children Pauline (1933) and Graham (1939).

4.    Emily..........died in 1914 aged 2.

5.    Sidney.......... died in 1915 aged 1

6.    James.......... died on March 31th 1916 aged 8 months Click here to read a newspaper article from the HENDON AND FINCHLEY TIMES on a inquest into his death.

7.    Queenie A..........

8.    Lambton A..........died in 1965, aged 45

9.    Peggy D E......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Jun 1943 of a Peggy D E marrying a John A Lizius in the district of Hendon (3a 1175). They had 2 children Keith (1945) and Christopher (1947).

      10.  Joan P.......... I came across an entry in the marriage register of Sep 1955 of a Joan P marrying a                    Sydney Stevens in the district of Hendon (5e 1372).

11.  Maisie.........died in 1926 aged 0

Ruth died on August 14th 1925 aged 78, (Grave found in the parish church of St. Dunstan, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire)

George died on April 28th 1926 aged 76, (Grave found in the parish church of St. Dunstan, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire)

I was told Emily died in her early forties. I found an entry in the death register of Jun 1928 of a Emily Bedford who died aged 45 in the district of Barnet (Jun. 3a 418). This ties up roughly with her year of birth 1883.

William joined the army, the Royal Field Artillery, in 1919, he gave his aged as 18 but in fact he was only 16. He served in the army for six years and then a further 6 years on reserve. His Service Number was 275387.

1.    *William George Stanley Bedford (25) and Mildred Ironton (23) got married at the register office in the district of Barnet on the 2nd March 1929. At the time of their marriage William is residing at 4 William Street, North Finchley and Mildred at 13 Ingle Way, North Finchley.                            William’s Profession is General Labourer.                                                                                            William’s father is Richard William Bedford and his profession is General Labourer. 
Mildred’s father is John Ironton (down as deceased at the time of their marriage) his profession had been a Stoker at the Gas Works.                                                                                                                       Down as witnesses are D. Bedford (Daisy) William's sister, C. Deal, Mildred's brother-in-law, and Charles Henry Barnard, Mildred's Stepfather.

Daisy later went on to marry a Ernest F Barnard, was Charles related to him?

Children of William and Mildred

1.    Maisie E E..........born in 1929

2.    Ronald G..........born in 1931

3.    Richard J.......... born in 1937

4.    Audrey E Y.......... born in 1940

In 1939 William was called up into the army again and was soon on his way to France with the British Expeditionary Force to aid the French Army. Click here to read about William’s time in the army, which
included being evacuated from Dunkirk and then later being taken a prisoner of war by the Japanese and made to work on the railway of death. His Service Number was 1046886.

These events have been taken from a letter he had written to his Grandson Tim, who had asked him to recall his time in the army.

Richard died in 1950 aged 74 in the district of Hendon, Middlesex (Mar. 5e 544)

Mildred died in 1981 aged 76

William died in 1988 aged 85

What happened to William’s and Mildred’s children?

1.    Maisie E E..........married Royston J Harwood in 1949, they had three children, Laura born in 1953, Geoffrey born in 1956 and Timothy born in 1962.

Laura died October 30th 2008 , Royston died October 16th 2009 , Geoffrey died December 14th 2012.

      2.    Ronald G..........married Kathleen F Blunt in 1961, they had two children, David born in 1964 and Susan Susan born in 1967             

      3.    Richard J..........married Sheila Dupree in 1959, they had three children, Elaine born in 1960,
          Gary born in 1963 and Sean born in 1970.   

4.    Audrey E Y..........married Colin C Glass in 1960, they had one child, Julian born in 1973.