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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hampshire & Isle of Wight => Topic started by: Ian on Tuesday 27 March 07 21:41 BST (UK)
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Hi
I'm a little curious as I have two families (Rodwell and Pearce) who both came from Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire and were living in Alton at the time of the 1901 census. Both are listed as woodworkers.
Was there a major building project underway at the time? Gordon Joseph Pearce died in Alton in 1908 so it wasn't like a temporary job.
Any ideas? Is Alton known for wooden goods?
Thanks
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Alton was big in the brewery business. Could there have been a link there? Cooper, perhaps?
Thudders
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It's possible. Thanks - have a feeling I may never know!
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Hi Ian!
My immediate reaction was they were rebuilding Aldershot Army Camp about that time....but it was a bit far away in 1901!
Have you tried googling Alton "local history"
This came up....and perhaps a few more leads?
http://www.cornucopia.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/7838
Wendi :)
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Hi Ian
There is the Watercress Line in Alton, see the website
http://www.watercressline.co.uk
There are photos of some of the carriages etc. that are being restored and they have wonderful wood panelling etc. Perhaps they were employed on maintaining them.
The Watercress Line is a preserved heritage steam railway today, although I don't know much about it as have only lived in Hants for about 18 months.
I found the wood panelling etc. straight away when I first went on the site, now I can't find the photos. Not being au fait with steam railways, the site takes quite a bit to get used to.
Alton is about 10 or so miles from Basingstoke, but I don't think there was much going on there around 1901. I think Alton was more important at the time.
Liz
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I did think about the Watercress Line, so you may be onto something there Liz!
If you get the chance to visit, then do so. It has a really nice tea room too!
Thudders
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I should go as I am only about 15 minutes away!
Liz
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Thanks for the information. As it happens I like tea rooms so might add to my list of places to visit!
Live quite a distance from the area but pass along the 303 from time to time.
Thanks though for your help....it's probably just a coincidence that the two families went to Alton. But experience suggests that there is often a reason!
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Hi
I'm a little curious as I have two families (Rodwell and Pearce) who both came from Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire and were living in Alton at the time of the 1901 census. Both are listed as woodworkers.
Was there a major building project underway at the time? Gordon Joseph Pearce died in Alton in 1908 so it wasn't like a temporary job.
Any ideas? Is Alton known for wooden goods?
Thanks
Dear Ian - George Pearce came to Alton to take over the Butts Road Saw Mill in 1898. The premises had been set up be Miss I Crowley, of the brewing family, to give employment to some members of the Salvation Army, including Albert Poore. Sadly, Albert was not a business man - hence the availability of the premises for George who had been in Chesham, Bucks, in 1895. You are probably aware that he was an ‘English and Foreign Timber Merchant; Turner and Manufacturer of Corn and Malt Shovels, Spades, Hoops, Yokes, Scoops, Butchers’ Trays, Bowls and all kinds of Ash and Sieve Hoops; Lawn Tennis Sticks’ there. Similar items were made in Alton.
George and his family ran the Alton mill until 1939, although George had died at his home in December 1931, aged 74.
The Friends of the Curtis Museum here in Alton publish ‘Alton Papers’ each year and no.5 has quite a long article on George and the mill which includes pictures of George, his wife and family, a plan of the mill and a photo of George’s Talbot car in which he would be driven about Alton by a chauffeur. On the front is a copy of one of George’s adverts. If you are interested in a copy do let me know. The author talked to several Pearce family members when researching his article. Yours Jane.
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Bravo, Jane! (http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/realhappy/luxhello.gif) (http://smilies.vidahost.com/otn/realhappy/luxhello.gif)
Thudders
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janeh
What can I say but a huge thank you! I knew none of this at all.
I have to admit that I haven't yet come across George Pearce!
I have a Gordon Joseph Pearce who was described as "wooden wareman" in the 1901 census and he lived in Alton. He was born in 1872 in Great Missenden, Bucks. He was the brother of my great grandfather, Ernest Henry Pearce. As far as I can see, his father was Daniel Pearce and mother Frances Gilbert.....I have a list of the other children but no George...as yet.
I'd love to see the relevant Alton Papers. Is this something I can purchase at the museum?
The Pearce family appear to have been huge and I find them in graveyards all over the Chesham/Missenden areas but I am having difficulty working out which is which! I'll get there in the end and I am grateful for the clues you have supplied......I would never have found that out by myself!
I do have the Pearce family Bible and although it makes mention of Daniel, Frances and my great grandfather, it doesn't mention any others. I suppose that they lost contact with the side of the family who moved to Alton.
Again, please accept my grateful thanks for this information...it really is appreciated.
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Glad to be of help. Alton Papers costs £3 + 50p p&p. Send to me at 82 The Butts, Alton. Hants GU34 1RD and I will send it on. I know of a couple of people who are related to the Pearces and Rodwells. Yours Jane.
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As a footnote to Jane's reply, Pearce's sawmill was famous for its association with Samuel Cody, the aviation pioneer who was based at Farnborough. From 1901 onwards, he patented and built many 'kites' some capable of lifting men, as well as gliders and aircraft. He was killed in a flying accident in 1913. Pearces made wooden rings for his kites and so played a part in British aviation history.
The Story of Alton by CW Hawkins (1973) supplied the reference to the link between Pearce's sawmill and Cody. It also gives a lot of information about the town and how it developed.
Best wishes
Pete
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I see that Gordon was living at 9 Old Acre Road in 1901 which was not far from the saw mill. He had married Agnes Mary Booker in the December quarter of 1899. The marriage was not at either the old parish church, St.Lawrence’s, or the new one near to the mill, All Saints’. I think that his occupation was "woodenware man" in meaning as the mill made so many different wares.
When Gordon was buried in Alton cemetery on 28 December 1908, he was described as a ‘machinist’ aged 37. He was buried in unconsecrated [ie unconsecrated by the CoE] ground by Rev A Brooks. I am wondering if Gordon attended the Salvation Army? In the 1906 local directory, 13 Old Acre Road was occupied by Miss Brooks, Lieut., Salvation Army. The head of the household of 9 Old Acre Road in 1906 was Albert Booker - possibly Agnes’ brother?
The 1881 census shows that Agnes, aged 7, and Albert, aged 1, were the children of William and Fanny Booker of Bow Street and that William was ‘Machinest Saw Mill’ - when it was attached to the SA. Even if Gordon was not a member of the SA, his wife possibly was.
Did Gordon and Agnes have any family? Yours Jane.
George of the Saw Mills was born in 1857, I believe, and his wife was Ellen Hawkes.
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Thanks again! I'll write to you next week because I would like a copy of the relevant paper.
As far as I am aware, Gordon and Agnes had no children although Gordon had three brothers - Albert (b1870), Ernest Henry (b 13/4/1876) and Euan (or Evan) born in 1878. There was also a sister (Agnes) born in 1874. They were all born in the Gt Missenden area.
Their parents were Daniel who was born in Gt Missenden in 1844 and he died, according to the family Bible on June 14th 1913. He married Frances Gilbert at Gt Missenden Parish Church on November 24th 1868. She died at Gt Missenden on February 7th 1894. Apart from Ernest Henry marrying Sophie Gilbert (and I have quite a lot on her side), I know nothing more about the Pearce family. According to the marriage certificate (which I have) Ernest Henry was a farmer - a tenant farmer at Hyde Heath, Bucks. His landlord was Sir Frank Morgan, Managing Director of the Prudential Assurance Company. Apart from Gordon, the other Pearce's seem to have stayed in Buckinghamshire although Euan (Evan) is a bit of a mystery after 1901.
Again, I'm afraid I know nothing about any link to the Salvation Army but wouldn't rule it out. There is certainly a strong tradition of non conformity running through the family.
I'm sure you are right, there was a George Pearce born about 1857 and his wife was called Ellen so that makes sense. Curiously, I've found a John Pearce (b1805) lodging with a family of Rodwells at Lee Common (1871 census). I suspect that there must be ties between the two families but will need to investigate this further. I've recently beed contacted by someone who has some connection with the Rodwell family and I'm sure he will get back to me in time.
I live about an hours drive from where most of my ancestors originated from and was a little disappointed to find no Pearce graves at Gt Missenden - I found others that were useful to me - but about 20 buried at Lee....I've noted them but don't as yet see where they fit in.
As I'm sure you know there are a lot of Pearce's in that area of Buckinghamshire and trying to work out which belongs to which is probably the most challenging thing I've looked at yet.
I'll take a closer look at George and see if I can see anything obvious.....he was probably related to Gordon (maybe an Uncle).
Once again, I really do appreciate your help on this one. Thank you.
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Hi all
I think I'm a little overwhelmed by the wonderful responses from all you very kind people. You have collectively set me off on a new line of enquiry which I'm sure will lead to the tea rooms in Alton at some point in the coming months.
What an amazing thing this is! I came to a full stop with another branch of the family and then discovered why I couldn't find them after 1841. They drowned when their emigrant ship to Australia sunk in 1845!
I also discovered that my 4th cousin is Elton John....I still didn't get an invite to his 60th though!
Thank you all for your help.
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Janeh
Thanks...the Alton Papers arrived this morning. I very much appreciate the time and trouble youv'e taken to send it to me.
I don't know Nigel Richardson but I assume he too is descended from one of the families who left Bucks to work in the Mill. It's certainly an interesting chapter in my family history and I shall enjoy reading the booklet.
Again, many thanks.
Ian
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Your are very welcome. Do get in touch if I can be of more help. Your Jane.