Cleopas Watts from Quorndon

[Ebch]

Well I found a Hannah Watts died Jan/Mar 1893 Leicester. But its almost midnight so .........

[Ebch]

Yes it was almost midnight and I had bleary eyes! Sorry here is the correct date:

Hannah Watts died Jan/March 1843 Leicester 15/76
So Cleopas could have a second wife. 

[GerryS]

Hi Eileen and RootsChatters,
Yes Hannah Watts death in 1843 would seem to be very likely particularly as there is no later reference to her and in 1861 Cleopas has Sarah Newton as a daughter in law.
Now I have managed to find additional references to Cleopas (Cleophas) making appearances before the Loughborough Petty Sessions. It seems my gggrandfather was a black sheep!!!! and he was living around Quorndon at this time. 1835 guilty of pushing down a wall, 1840 and again in 1842 guilty of trespass, Mar 1842 assault on his wife [I presume this must have been pretty serious to have to come before court; and did this cause her death 1 year later?] and 1845 assaulting PC [Parish Constable?] James Wilde at Quorn wake. A black sheep indeed, remembering he was in Court in Leicester in 1858 for assaulting his father!!!
So we have been able to trace Cleopas fairly well just missing entries for 1841 and 1851 census (I intend to trawl through all census returns in and around Quorndon). Of course I still do not have his birth, or death or burial. Is it possible for someone to do a look up for Cleopas's birth in Quorndon around 1814 - 1819?
Thanks again to everyone for reading and helping
Gerard

[diddymiller]

gerard, i can look up quorn records in L'boro library. prob this weekend as working thur /fri now.

Diddy

[GerryS]

That would be great Diddy, thank you very much. I hope it is not too much trouble. Gerard

[Ebch]

I think this is 'Cleophas' reverting back to John in 1881 Census
John Watts 62 Widower Shoe Riveter b Castle Donnington as  per 1861 census)
Mary Owen 48 Boarder, Widow born London
Address The Green, Belgrave, Leicester. (north part of city)
RG11/3153

What do you think?
He certainly got around 
Going to have a look around Middlesex now

[GerryS]

Hi Eileen,
Thanks for your suggestion
Yes its possible that it is Cleopas. John is a bit of a more common name so it may be another John Watts, I will certainly keep this one in mind though.
Gerard

[Ebch]

Before the clock strikes midnight again - 1881 census showing John Watts born Castle Donnington - which is what Cleopas gave as place of birth in 1861 census.
Just as Cleopas born Castle D cannot be found in 1851 or 1871 neither can a John Watts b Castle D be found in either of those years. And just like Cleopas I cannot find a birth for a John Watts b Castle D.
That is what makes me think they could be the same person.  After reading what you found  could he have been in jail in those years?
This Cleopas has the makings of a wonderful novel!
Enjoy the papers 
Eileen

[GerryS]

Hi Everyone,
I had a search through all Quorndon 1841 and 1851 census's as fully indexed on http://www.quornmuseum.com/index.php (thanks Diddy) and the only Watts family listed at all is the that of Pharoah Watts and his mother and grandparents (one household). Also I trawled through all the 1841 and 1851 returns for Quorndon district on A** and the same result.
So it could be he was using another name (John) in these years, or could he be in prison (are these not covered by the same census?) or just away or avoiding the census!
On the possible use of an alternative name I am sort of hoping that his baptismal record (if found) will show John Cleopas or Cleopas John Watts  But that's just my wishful thinking again!!!
Cleopas or Cleophas (although often mistranscribed) is such an unusual name, surely we would have found him if he was out there in 1841 or 1851?
Thanks again everyone for your interest and help
Gerard