Eleanor Webb, Centenarian of Toll End, Tipton.

[Barrie Green]

My direct ancestor, Eleanor Webb nee Fisher, est. birth September 1764, baptised 13 September, 1764,  lived for 100 years and 4 months, dying on 10th September, 1864 at Toll End, Tipton. Her cause of death was 'natural decay' which was a rather 'nice' explanation, considering the circumstances.

I have followed her through all the relevant censuses where she was with/next door to her family members and she was Head of House. She had married  in 1793 to Thomas Webb, a Charter Master but I have been unable to locate his death probably about 1810.

Although people did live to that great age at the time, would there have been a local paper of the time which may have mentioned this event? Down here in New Zealand I am not quite sure where to search next. She is part of my paternal Hughes line and these extra details would be wonderful to add to the Hughes Family History I'm putting together.

All suggestions gratefully received.  Faith.

[dionysus]

Hello Faith

It appears this was not just local news!  Article in Staffordshire Advertiser 17 Dec 1864 says born August 1764.  Says she had lived in the same house since birth and widow 50 years.  Also reported in Liverpool Mercury, Wrexham Advertiser, Manchester, Coventry, Leeds, Worcester and Sheffield.
Suggest you send a PM and we can go from there.

Dion

[Barrie Green]

Thanks Dion, that's amazing! I'll pm you now.  Faith

[trish1120]

Give that she was Widowed for 50 odd years we can narrow down the timeframe.
According to FreeREG their last Child was born 1811 or 1813

BAPTISMS;
St Martin, Tipton, Staffs;
HANNAH, 5 Oct 1794
ELIZABETH, 15 May 1796, Birth 28 July 1792
THOMAS, 15 Jan 1797, Birth 12 Jan 1797
HARRIETT, 22 March 1799, Birth 18 March 1799
MARY ANN, 16 June 1801, Birth 27 May 1801
THOMAS, 14 Aug 1803, Birth 24 July 1803
JAMES, 14 June 1807
EDWARD, 11 June 1809, Birth 20 May 1809
NANCY, 22 May 1811
None have Fathers Occp, But Parents THOMAS/ELEANOR


How did he have a change of Occp?
JOHN Webb Baptised same Church 27 June 1813, Parents THOMAS/ELINOR
Abode Toll End
Fathers Occp Miner

So a very narrow time frame for Thomas to die!

Also looks like 1st Child was born before the Marriage.

Trish

[dionysus]

Now I realise how you get to be a marquessate!

[Barrie Green]

Trish, Thank you for the details regarding the Webb issue, although I had them it has been some time since researching them so I was able to double check the details. Yes,  Elizabeth was born before the marriage.
A Charter Master was still connected to the mine pit, he organised the mine gang, negotiated the ratio of pay for the amount of coal produced with the mine manager (according to Google!). Thomas Webb may have started off as a miner and progressed through to that position.

I'm very grateful for your help. Faith.