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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Oxfordshire => Topic started by: Mandy Forster on Wednesday 11 November 20 12:35 GMT (UK)
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(Tricky relative) search for, William Forster Born around 1774. Where? Married Elizabeth Collcutt, 05-01-1794, St Aldates, Oxford. His occupation was a Livery stable keeper, his premises being almost opposite Christ Church, St Aldates from 1795 - 1825. Had four children, William, Catherine, Sarah & Elizabeth. Any info would be much appreciated. :)
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Where did you find his birth year as around 1774 from?
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I note he was of the parish of St Mary the Virgin, City of Oxford, witnesses were James & John Collcutt, all signed. Sadly no birth record for William in the County.
Colin
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I wonder if this is the William Forster
Age: 71
Birth Year: about 1766
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1837
Burial Place: Oxford, St Aldate, Oxfordshire, abode Water Lane.
Colin
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I wonder if this is the William Forster
Age: 71
Birth Year: about 1766
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1837
Burial Place: Oxford, St Aldate, Oxfordshire, abode Water Lane.
Colin
Thank you for your reply Colin. It could be, His wife Elizabeth was listed on the 1841 Census as a widow so the date fits. Is this a published record that I could view? Mandy
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I note he was of the parish of St Mary the Virgin, City of Oxford, witnesses were James & John Collcutt, all signed. Sadly no birth record for William in the County.
Colin
The last place I have a record of William is in a newspaper clipping from Jackson's Oxford journal, Sat, May 21, 1825. "Petitions of Insolvent debtors to be heard at the Court House, Oxford!
I just cannot find any birth or death records. Any suggestions? Mandy
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Where did you find his birth year as around 1774 from?
It was a guess! His wife was born 1776 so I presumed he would be of a similar age?
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I wonder if this is the William Forster
Age: 71
Birth Year: about 1766
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1837
Burial Place: Oxford, St Aldate, Oxfordshire, abode Water Lane.
Colin
Thank you for your reply Colin. I don't think this is him as Elizabeth Forster (wife) nee: Collcutt was listed as a widow on the 1841 census!
I had a look to see if I could find anything for William but haven't turned up anything sorry ???
Is Elizabeth on here own on 1841 census?
I only found her as a widow with her married son William on 1851 census and she died age 80 buried at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855.
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Thank you for your reply Colin. I don't think this is him as Elizabeth Forster (wife) nee: Collcutt was listed as a widow on the 1841 census!
[/quote]
The burial is 1837.
Colin
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I wonder if this is the William Forster
Age: 71
Birth Year: about 1766
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1837
Burial Place: Oxford, St Aldate, Oxfordshire, abode Water Lane.
Colin
Thank you for your reply Colin. I don't think this is him as Elizabeth Forster (wife) nee: Collcutt was listed as a widow on the 1841 census!
I had a look to see if I could find anything for William but haven't turned up anything sorry ???
Is Elizabeth on here own on 1841 census?
I only found her as a widow with her married son William on 1851 census and she died age 80 buried at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855.
Hi thanks, Yes a widow on the 1841 census.
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Thank you for your reply Colin. I don't think this is him as Elizabeth Forster (wife) nee: Collcutt was listed as a widow on the 1841 census!
The burial is 1837.
Colin
[/quote] Thanks Colin, I realised that when I re-read the post, sorry! :'(
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The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St. I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
Colin
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The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
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The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
Yes, this is all correct. Thankyou. Thank you for your reply Colin. I don't think this is him as Elizabeth Forster (wife) nee: Collcutt was listed as a widow on the 1841 census!
The burial is 1837.
Colin
Thanks Colin, I realised that when I re-read the post, sorry! :'(
[/quote]Also, do you have any idea where Johnson's buildings St Aldates were? The Forster family lived there for a number of years but I can't pinpoint them on any maps??
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The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
Yes, this is correct.
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The Burial record in 1855 lists her age as 85 abode Broad St.
I think she is in Broad St in 1851.
Elizth Forster 80 noted as Blind
Eliza Clarke 27 servant
Hent Wm Haggarth 29 Lodger
I was looking at this 1851 census entry for Elizabeth Forster nee Collcutt with her son William
1851 Johnson's Buildings, St Aldate, Oxford
Piece: 1728 Folio: 181 Page Number: 34
Elizabeth Foster 77 St Aldate Oxford, widow occ seamstress
William Foster son 55 St Mary Oxford stable man
Louisa Foster 43
Elizabeth Foster 22
James Foster 13
Samuel Foster 7
Louisa Foster 5
William Forster Birth 11 Jun
Baptism 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin, Oxfordshire
Father: William Mother: Elizabeth
and this burial for Elizabeth at St Aldate Oxford on 14 Mar 1855
Mandy Forster - Is this your Elizabeth Forster on 1841 census with Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY in 1841 in Oxford
Elizth FOSTER 64 Ind…. Born in this county
Piece: 891 Folio: 14 Page 24
Edwin, Sarah & Fanny LANEY are living next door to Elizabeth FOSTER & her son William & his family in 1851
Did William's sister Sarah Forster marry Edwin George Laney 30 Jul 1838?
LANEY, FANNY mmn FORSTER
1839 S Quarter in OXFORD Volume 16 Page 85
Yes, all correct. I just need some info on her husband William. I'm begining to think he wasn't born in the area?
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William had died by the time of daughter Sarah's marriage in 1838, adding weight to that burial Colin found in 1837.
Oxford University and City Herald
04 Aug 1838
Same day [Monday last] was married, at St Aldate's church, Mr Laney, tea-dealer, to Sarah, youngest daughter of the late Mr Foster, livery-stable-keeper, of that parish.
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Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette
04 Feb 1837
On Thursday last died, aged 71, Mr William Foster, for many years a respectable livery stable keeper in this city.
Oxford University and City Herald
04 Feb 1837
On Thursday last died, in the 71st year of his age, Mr William Foster, late livery stable keeper, of St Aldate's, in this city.
Oxford Journal
04 Feb 1837
Deaths
Thursday last, Mr William Foster, formerly a livery stable keeper in St Aldate's.
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William had died by the time of daughter Sarah's marriage in 1838, adding weight to that burial Colin found in 1837.
Oxford University and City Herald
04 Aug 1838
Same day [Monday last] was married, at St Aldate's church, Mr Laney, tea-dealer, to Sarah, youngest daughter of the late Mr Foster, livery-stable-keeper, of that parish.
Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette
04 Feb 1837
On Thursday last died, aged 71, Mr William Foster, for many years a respectable livery stable keeper in this city.
I wonder if this is the
William Forster Age: 71
Birth Year: about 1766
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1837
Burial Place: Oxford, St Aldate, Oxfordshire, abode Water Lane.
Well found cuffie81 that confirms the 1837 burial ColC found and occupation given by Mandy Forster.....
Mandy Forster
You mentioned four children born to William Forster and Elizabeth Collcutt,
Could one of their children have been named after either of his parent(s)?
(Tricky relative) search for, William Forster Born around 1774. Where?
Married Elizabeth Collcutt, 05-01-1794, St Aldates, Oxford.
His occupation was a Livery stable keeper, his premises being almost opposite Christ Church, St Aldates from 1795 - 1825.
Had four children, William, Catherine, Sarah & Elizabeth.
Any info would be much appreciated.
William Forster 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin
Sarah Forster 5 Apr 1798 Oxford, St Aldate
Elizabeth Forster 8 Oct 1802 Oxford, St Aldate
Catherine ?
From their marriage witnesses mentioned were James & John Collcutt
(they could be Elizabeth’s father & brother)
Elizabeth Baptism 10 Mar 1776 Oxford, St Aldate,
Father: James COLLCUTT
Other baptism where father named James COLLCUTT at St Aldate Oxford
Mary 7 Mar 1778
Then we have these baptisms at
St Aldate Oxford father James COLLCUTT mother Mary
John 25 Jan 1777
James 10 Sep 1799
William 11 Sep 1782
James 16 Dec 1781
John Henry 4 Aug 1784
Ann 23 Jul 1786
Ricd 17 Aug 1788
Edward Turner 3 Jul 1790
Jane 6 Feb 1793
Charles 9 Dec 1795
source Oxfordshire, England, Church of England Baptism, Marriages, and Burials, 1538-1812
nothing for a William FORSTER born c1766 ???
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William Forster 15 Jun 1794 Oxford, St Mary the Virgin
Sarah Forster 5 Apr 1798 Oxford, St Aldate
Elizabeth Forster 8 Oct 1802 Oxford, St Aldate
Catherine ?
Mandy probably knows this already but it looks like daughter Catherine was baptised under the name Foster, at St Aldate on 17 Nov 1795.
She married William Grimmett (c1798-1871) in 1822 and died in 1886, aged 90.
On the 1881 census she's listed as a border in the household of Richard and Fanny Soanes.
Fanny is the daughter of Edwin George Laney and Sarah Forster.
At the inquest into Catherine's death, Mrs Soanes was a witness and states Catherine was her aunt.
GRO references:
1871 Q3 Death - William Grimmett; age 73 (born c1798); Oxford; 3a; 20
1886 Q2 Death - Catharine Grimmett; age 90 (born c1796); Headington; 3a; 42
1881 Census - Kingston Road, Oxford St Giles
Catherine Grimmott?, age 84, born Oxford
Ref RG11; Piece 1499; Folio 91; Page 29
Oxford University and City Herald
06 Apr 1822
A few days since was married, Mr Grimmett, to Miss Foster, daughter of Mr Foster, livery stable keeper, of St Aldate's, in this city.
Oxford Journal
29 Jul 1871
Deaths
July 16, at No 3, Wharton's Buildings, St Ebbe's, Mr William Grimmett, aged 73
Oxford Journal
29 Jul 1871
Appeal To The Charitable
- as will be seen from obituary of W Grimmett,
- an old Oxford citizen,
- died 16th inst,
- aged 73
- Mr Grimmett had for last half century been intimately connected with musical profession
- his quadrille band being well known and appreciated
- had been member of Oxford Choral Society for about 50 years
- and connected with University Amateur Society
- left an aged widow, quite destitute, and unable to earn a living
- we appeal to public for assistance
- contribution thankfully received at the 3 banks in this city
There are quite a few newspaper references, over many years, to William and his quadrille band.
Oxford Journal
24 Apr 1886
Deaths
April 17, suddenly, at the residence of her niece, No 6, Kingston-road, Oxford, Catherine, widow of the late William Grimmett, musician, aged 90.
Oxford Journal
24 Apr 1886
Inquests Before E L Hussey, Esq, City Coroner
- On Monday
- at 6 Kingston Road
- body of Catherine Grimmett
- aged 90
- widow of William Grimmett, musician
- who died suddenly on Saturday
- witness: Mrs F Soanes
- wife of Richard W Soanes, coal merchant, of 6 Kingston Road
- niece of Catherine Grimmett
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A possibility maybe :-\
William FOSTER
Baptism 17 Feb 1765 Standlake, Oxfordshire
Father: John Mother: Sarah
other FOSTER baptisms at Standlake parents John & Sarah
Ann 10 May 1761
Sarah 24 May 1767
Catharine 8 Feb 1770
Thomas 14 Jun 1772
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Well, thankyou Ladyhawk and cuffie81 that's amazing information, well done. I partially knew some of these facts but not all them, brightened my day up. :)
The surname Forster can be problematic, often being written as Foster which doesn't help when doing searches. Interestingly, I came across a write up about a Charles Foster on the St Sepulchre's Cemetery wesite. Under the heading graves A-Z I found Charles Foster, clicked on his name and there was a piece on him. Part of it read, "Charles Foster junior.
Charles Foster junior, the son of Charles Foster’s brother William Foster and his wife Elizabeth Collcutt, was born in Bucknell on 26 January 1808 and baptised there on 26 January 1809." I am confused about this as William Forster who married Elizabeth Collcutt didn't have a Brother, only Sisters? What do you make of this? Also, where could I view the said newspapers clippings.
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Interestingly, I came across a write up about a Charles Foster on the St Sepulchre's Cemetery wesite. Under the heading graves A-Z I found Charles Foster, clicked on his name and there was a piece on him. Part of it read, "Charles Foster junior.
Charles Foster junior, the son of Charles Foster’s brother William Foster and his wife Elizabeth Collcutt, was born in Bucknell on 26 January 1808 and baptised there on 26 January 1809."
Link for reference:
Charles Foster & family: St Sepulchre's Cemetery, Oxford
http://www.stsepulchres.org.uk/burials/foster_charles.html
I'm confused by the comments about Charles junior too. If I'm understanding it correctly, it's saying Charles jun. was the son of William and Elizabeth. If so, why would he be 'junior'? I'll see if I can find any newspaper announcements for his marriages, which may identify his father.
Also, where could I view the said newspapers clippings.
They're available in the British Newspaper Archives (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/), which are also available via FindMyPast (for some subscriptions but not all).
There's a number of items for the family members. I didn't list them as I had the impression you had them already (as you referenced some bits about William in the 1820s). Let me know if you want them listed and I'll post the items I've found (so far).
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Interestingly, I came across a write up about a Charles Foster on the St Sepulchre's Cemetery website. Under the heading graves A-Z I found Charles Foster, clicked on his name and there was a piece on him. Part of it read, "Charles Foster junior.
Charles Foster junior, the son of Charles Foster’s brother William Foster and his wife Elizabeth Collcutt, was born in Bucknell on 26 January 1808 and baptised there on 26 January 1809."
Link for reference:
Charles Foster & family: St Sepulchre's Cemetery, Oxford
http://www.stsepulchres.org.uk/burials/foster_charles.html
I'm confused by the comments about Charles junior too. If I'm understanding it correctly, it's saying Charles jun. was the son of William and Elizabeth. If so, why would he be 'junior'? I'll see if I can find any newspaper announcements for his marriages, which may identify his father.
The 'junior' seems to come from newspaper adverts, where Charles is named as Mr Charles Foster, .jun. Although it's not clear to me why. A likely baptism record for Charles does record his parents as William & Elizabeth.
Charles' first marriage was likely in 1834, at St George Hanover Sq, London, but I couldn't find any marriage announcement.
On Charles' second marriage in 1871, his father is recorded as William Foster, farmer. There was a marriage announcement but it didn't name Charles' father.
I don't think Charles' parents were William Forster and Elizabeth Collcutt, I think it's just a case of that marriage record being incorrectly 'claimed' for the wrong couple.
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I agree, so I am not going to follow that up. I just really need to focus on William's parents, who were they? I tried to find the newspaper clippings you referred to but without any success! I would be grateful if you could post them on here, thanks. Do you think the marriage of Elizabeth and William would have been announced in one of the newspapers given that the Collcutts were a well off family? (05-04-1794).If so, there may be a clue as to his Father or where he came from as I don't think he was originally from the area. All your help with this is very much appreciated, thank you.
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I had previously had a look for a marriage announcement for William and Elizabeth and hadn't found anything. I've had another look and still couldn't. It may be that the newspaper from that time, at least the ones online, are too light in nature to carry marriage announcements.
I haven't found much on William and nothing that provides a family connection. I wonder if it'd be worth following up any other Forsters in the area to try and make a connection (eg named in a will maybe).
Attached are various newspaper references for the family members, including some for Elizabeth's family (or at least what I think are Elizabeth's family). I've included the page and column numbers, so if you locate the paper itself you should then be able to locate the item. Searching newspapers can be hit-and-miss due to the OCR conversion from print to text.
If you still have trouble locating the newspaper items let me know and I'll sort something via PM.
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Great work cuffie81, very interesting. I like the newspaper cuttings as you can extract so much information from them, a great insight into their lives, it kind of brings the person to life, much better than just putting names into the family tree! I tried again yesterday to search through the newspapers on The British Archives website but it didn't return any of the clippings you have sent me? I am clearly doing something wrong! I have noted that William was often named "Foster", not "Forster". I still have at the back of my mind if there is some connection to the "Charles Foster" mentioned in the St sepulchres article? I will take your advise and search for any other "Forsters" in the area. I'm currently using Ancestry.co.uk, in your opinion is this the best site for information. I am a novice at all this! Thank you for all your help.
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I don't use the BNA website, so I can't give you direct links. However, if you're using the BNA website then it's probably simplest to first filter the search (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search) by newspaper then drill down into the date. Once you've drilled down into the day who should be presented with a list of pages for that day's paper, so select the relevant page and locate the item in the appropriate column.
As for what's best for Oxfordshire records, I find it's a case of some records are on Ancestry (eg parish registers) and others are on FindMyPast (eg some wills, newspapers). With parish registers being on Anc you're probably best as you are but you could make use of FindMyPast whenever they have free weekends. And make use of any other sources (eg FreeReg, FamilySearch, OXFHS, FindAGrave).
As for Charles Foster, I'm not convinced he was the son of your William and Elizabeth, for a number of reasons:
1) According to census record Charles Foster was born in Bucknell and there's a likely baptism in Bucknell 1809.
The 4 known children of William and Elizabeth were (likely) born and baptised in Oxford (3 in St Aldate; 1 in St Mary the Virgin). According to census records Sarah and Catharine were born in St Aldate and William in St Mary.
If Charles was the son of William Forster and Elizabeth Collcutt why was he born and baptised in Bucknell? It doesn't tally.
2) Charles Foster names his father as William Foster, a farmer, on his 1871 marriage.
William Forster seems to be a livery stable keeper in all records. The stables he occupied in 1822 were up for auction and the details state he had been the proprietor for upwards of 30 years. He doesn't appear to have been a farmer at any point.
3) In almost all records Charles Foster has the surname Foster. The only record I can find that he has the surname Forster is on the 1841 census.
Whereas the family of William and Elizabeth are generally known as Forster, with some records naming them as Foster.
4) In the will of Mary Collcutt, Elizabeth's mother, she names her daughter Elizabeth Forster, her husband William, and their children William, Catharine and Sarah. She does not name Charles.
http://wills.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk/az/wtext/calcott_089.html
If Charles Foster was the son of William Forster and Elizabeth Collcutt why did Mary not name him?
5) In the will of John Collcutt, Elizabeth's uncle, he names his niece Elizabeth Forster, her husband William, and their children William, Catharine and Sarah. He does not name Charles.
http://wills.oxfordshirefhs.org.uk/az/wtext/calcott_052.html
One other thing, previously I included a newspaper item from 1825, re. a petitions of insolvent debtors for a William Forster. I had presumed this was William senior but given the newspaper item below, which appears to be for William junior, it's possible that 1825 item may have been for William junior.
This doesn't help at all with determining the parent of William senior but thought it may be of interest.
Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette
06 Feb 1841
page 1, column 4
Insolvent Debtors
- William Forster (sued as William Foster)
- formerly of Penson's Gardens, Oxford; milkman;
- then a prisoner of debt in Oxford city gaol;
- then of Blackfriars Road, City; milkman;
- then of Observatory Street, Oxford; retailer of beer;
- then of Thompson's Buildings, St Aldate's Street, Oxford; out of business;
- since of Quarterman's Yard, St Aldate's Street, Oxford; coal merchant;
- afterwards of St Aldate's Street, Oxford; shopkeeper;
- during part of that time, and afterwards, of Clarke's Row, St Aldate's Street, Oxford;
- livery stable keeper in Magdalen Street, Oxford;
- late of Clarke's Row, St Aldate's Street, Oxford
- John Looker, Insolvents' Attorney, 20 Queen Street, Oxford
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Thank you again, the last newspaper clipping is very interesting and informative. I agree, I think this all relates to William Forster (younger). It sounds like he was quite a lad. I tried to search for prison records for Oxford but with no luck. It would have been interesting to see how long he served! As to William (elder), born about 1766 and married to Elizabeth Collcutt, did you have access to the Baptisms at St Mary The Virgin when you kindly did a search for him? I am considering purchacing the OFH disc for that parish but if you have already looked at it then there is little point. Thanks again.
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As to William (elder), born about 1766 and married to Elizabeth Collcutt, did you have access to the Baptisms at St Mary The Virgin when you kindly did a search for him? I am considering purchacing the OFH disc for that parish but if you have already looked at it then there is little point..
I do have some of the OXFHS parish transcript CDs for Oxford but not the one that includes St Mary the Virgin, so I was using the parish registers on Anc. I'm not entirely trustful of their transcripts though (I've come across too many errors) so I often resort to browsing the parish register images. And if I have them, using the OXFHS transcripts for cross checking; the OXFHS transcripts have proved to be very reliable.
If you have an Anc. subscription though then there's probably not too much benefit of getting the OXFHS CD, as good as they are.