[WED]Looking for Parents of Walter Watts

[Susan Hembury Kellow]

Hi, Kristen,

I don't know if you have the 1851 census details?  If not, here they are
(courtesy Gordon Beavingtons transcript):

Mark, 1851
47
Southwick Street
WATTS Joseph Widow/er 35 Farmer 130 Acres East Brent, Som.
Francis 11 Scholar Chapel Allerton, Som.
Edward 8 Scholar Chapel Allerton, Som.
Amelia 4 Scholar Mark, Som.
Walter 1 Mark, Som.
HAM Phobe Servant Widow/er 35 House Keeper Wedmore, Som
HARDEN Ann Sophia Visitor 18 Chapel Allerton, Som.
FRY Mary Servant 21 House Servant Mark, Som.
VOWLES James Servant 17 Farm Servant Mark, Som.
EDWARDS Charles Servant 15 Farm Servant Huntspill, Som.
HOOPER Elizabeth Servant 15 House Servant Huntspill, Som.

Looking at the Free BMD, I think Joseph's wife could have been Miriam TILLEY
as I found a marriage between Joseph WATTS and Miriam TILLEY for March Qtr
1839, Axbridge District, Vol 10, Page 477, and there was, indeed, a death
for a Miriam WATTS in Axbridge District in 1851.  Ah...  On the other hand,
there was also a death for an Ann WATTS in 1851, and I see that a Joseph
WATTS and an Ann HAINES married in 1841, Axbridge District!

Your best bet would be to get Walter's birth certificate as this would shown
both parents' names.  Hang on - I've just had a thought!  I looked in the
1841 census for Chapel Allerton and sure enough, found the family.  The
entry is very faint, but clear enough to be sure that these are your folks
(as Francis is there):

1841 census Chapel Allerton
Joseph WATTS, 25, Farmer
Miriam WATTS, 22
Francis WATTS, 2

I think there may have been another child, but the record has faded to
almost nothing.  Assuming that Miriam TILLEY was born about 1819, she
shouldn't be too hard to find as her name is quite unusual.  I looked in the
IGI and found the following:

MIRIAM TILLY
Birth: 12 JUL 1817
Christening: 13 AUG 1817  Wesleyan, Banwell, Somerset, England
Father: WM. TILLY
Mother: JANE

On a hunch I then checked for a marriage in the IGI and found:

MIRIAM TILLY
Father: WILLIAM TILLY
Spouse: JOSEPH WATTS
Marriage: 01 JAN 1839  Weare, Somerset, England

As ever with any IGI data, it's best not to accept it as "gospel", so do
check it out against the parish registers etc. if you can, but I hope this
should give you a new avenue for research.

Best wishes,

Sue
in Taunton, Somerset

----- Original Message -----
From: Cory & Kristen
To: wedmore@lists.tutton.org
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 3:32 AM
Subject: [WED]Looking for Parents of Walter Watts


I am in need of help. I'm looking for Walter Watts Parents. He was born May
12,1849 in Marks, Somerset, England. Walter has a half sister Emily born
Aug. 26,1858 in Chapel Allerton, Somersetshire, England. Also a Half brother
Alfred which I know nothing about. Emily's obit stated her parents were
Joseph and Phoebe Watts. Any info on Walter or Emily's parents is greatly
appreciated. Kristen, Alta, Iowa.