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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Gloucestershire => Topic started by: SeaBee23 on Friday 28 August 09 18:10 BST (UK)
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George Beard landlord of the Star Inn Gloucester and coal merchant committed suicide on 30th May 1846 aged 45. I have been trying to confirm who his father was, I think it was John Beard who was buried at St Nicholas, Gloucester on 6th May 1827 aged 52 but I would welcome any other information, ideas or thoughts.
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My husband is descended from George Beard through his son Albert who came to Australia. I have recorded all his descendants but know little of the other siblings. I hope you are still on this forum. I have never got beyond George but hope we can share information.
Lyn B
Western Australia
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Who did he marry? The marriage might give more information if family were witnesses. I realise it may have been before registration.
Any children born after 1837?
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A family tree has parents John Beard d 1827 and Mary Evans d 1830
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SeaBee23 hasn't been on for 18 months or so, he/she will be notified that a reply has been made.
In the meantime 1841 census at https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7M6-2ZK
Albert was b just after this census was taken?
BEARD, CHARLES BRAINSFORD 1837 D Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 249
BEARD, DANIEL BRAINSFORD 1839 M Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 327
BEARD, MATILDA MMN BRAINSFORD 1840 D Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 320
BEARD, ALBERT MMN. BRAINSFORD 1842 D Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 320
BEARD, GEORGE BRAINSFORD BRAINSFORD 1844 S Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 329
BEARD, MARY BRAINSFORD 1846 M Quarter in GLOUCESTER UNION Volume 11 Page 376
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Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. Albert came to Aus and married here. No other family here. Thank you Pauline for the census help. In my records I have that he was not born in the county as stated in that census, but I have also been told that others had read it as born in the county. Are you able to check? I am still hoping to come nt act the original contributor. I knew of George's death but not that it was suicide and would like to know the source for this. I have not seen a family tree for this lot. Is it online?
Many thanks
Lyn Beard
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In my records I have that he was not born in the county as stated in that census, but I have also been told that others had read it as born in the county.
My humble opinion is that it is an N for not born in County.
The tree I saw was on ancestry website :)
I believe it had a link to newspaper report of the death but will check. May not be able to view it *
* yes there's a private member story but can't view it. I would imagine a suicide would be reported in local newspaper at the time.
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I knew of George's death but not that it was suicide and would like to know the source for this.
Yes there is a newspaper report but can't view the full article.
10 June 1846 Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser
"Mr George Beard respectable Innkeeper of Gloucester committed suicide by hanging himself Saturday morning last"
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Ancestry:
Marriage at Cheltenham St Mary: 26 July 1832
George BEARD, Widower of the Parish of Saint Nicholas in the City and Diocese of Gloucester and Elizabeth BRAINSFORD of this Parish, Spinster, were married by LICENCE
Witnesses: Edwd BRAINSFORD and S CHESTERTON
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Forest of Dean Family Forum:
Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations
Record ID 16419
Entry No: 215
25 July 1832
George BEARD aged 29 (=1803) Widower
Groom Residence: Saint Nicholas in the City of Gloucester
Elizabeth BRAINSFORD, aged 20 - Spinster, residence: Cheltenham
father: Edward BRAINSFORD
Signature: He signs
Event type: Marriage Allegation
Memoranda: Sworn before John BISHOP to marry in the parish church Cheltenham
Transcriber's Notes: Edward BRAINSFORD gives consent
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'Just working on this'
This is a child of George BEARD's first marriage:
John CHESTERTON ** BEARD - christened 2 October 1831, Gloucester St Nicholas
parents: George (Victualler) and Mary Ann.
John CHESTERTON BEARD of St Nicholas aged 7 months, buried 8 April 1832, Glos. St Mary de Crypt and Mary Ann BEARD of St Nicholas, buried 15 March 1832, aged 20 years
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Mary Ann CHESTERTON, first wife of George BEARD was christened at Glos St Mary de Crypt, 23 September 1812, parents: John (Innkeeper & Sarah) - residence, St Owen.
Charles was christened, 1 May 1816 - etc -
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Charles CHESTERTON aged 25, was out on bail - 1 June 1841, along with John PROTHEROE, for being associated with the slaying of one William BROWN.
The others were
Philip INKIN aged 20 - who layed William BROWN
the rest inc the two above, were feloniously being present, abetting, aiding, assisting, comforting, and maintaining the said Philip INKIN, to kill the slay the said William BROWN
Richard GOODMAN aged 28
Charles HARPER - aged 28
Frederick DAVIS - aged 20
Thomas TRICKEY aged 23
(Searching on British Newspapers on Line for Philip INKIN - there appear to be a number of articles about the killing)
S CHESTERTON was witness at his second marriage
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Ancestry:
Marriage at South Hamlet, 17 August 1830
George BEARD of the Parish of St Owen in the City of Gloucester, Bachelor, and Mary Ann CHESTERTON of the same Parish, Spinster, were married by Licence.
witnesses: Hester NICHOLLS and William PRICE **
??
*** There is a William PRICE aged 35 Chemist (not born in County) with wife Eliza aged 20 on the 1841 Census St Owen Gloucestershire
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Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire Marriage Allegations etc.
16 August 1830
George BEARD, over 21, bachelor
Groom rank or profession: MARINER
Groom residence: St Owen in the city of Gloucester
Mary Ann CHESTERTON, aged 17
residence: St Owen
father: John CHESTERTON
He signs
Event type: Marriage allegation
Sworn before Arthur Benoni EVANS to marry in the Parish Church situate at the Spa near the city but in the County of Gloucester
John CHESTERTON signs consent
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On Ancestry, there is a 'long Will' of John CHESTERTON Innkeeper of Gloucester 1838 - who appears to have quite a big of land etc - and talks about the Nags Head. His children are Sarah, John, Henry and Charles.
? Did George BEARD run one of John CHESTERTON Public Houses - (as was he the father of George's first wife?) S CHESTERTON witnessed his second marriage.
John CHESTERTON Will - 1848, Inn Keeper (talks about Nags Head etc)
Charles CHESTERTON Will - 1843, Malster **** (talks about Nags Head, by the Island)
Sarah CHESTERTON Will - 1843 - Spinster (died in 1839)
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1841 Census, Glos, St Owen, District City Prison
Charles CHESTERTON, aged 25, Malster
? Is there a reason George BEARD committed suicide i.e. loss of income etc. There is a Nags Head Yard, a few doors away from George 1841 census - By the Island
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There is so much here to take in. I could not access a newspaper with the report of his death, but Google turned up the following on website www.deathonmydoorstep.com
8/ Star Inn,Gloucester June 1846
George Beard,landlord of the Star Inn,Gloucester,took his own life under the following circumstances.On the Friday night he went to a Druid's dinner,and got home absolutely ratted.His wife had strong words with him,so he walked out,and went back to the Inn where they had the dinner.they put him up for the night,so he could sleep it off,but when they entered his room the next morning,he'd hung himself with his handkerchief(How big were Victorian handkerchiefs?)He left a wife and six children,and the verdict was down to "Temporary Insanity"
I am guessing this is in the words of the website writer, not the original. How different from today in the reporting of suicides.
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George BEARD went to a Druid's Dinner
??? is this a Sailing Vessel or an Organisation
On Pigots Directory for Gloucestershire
DREW J is Master of 'The Druid' which sailed from Bristol to Jamaica
This was built in Chepstow 1826 and James DREW Jnr was the Owner.
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On Ancestry, there is Probate etc 19 June 1846 for George BEARD - with Elizabeth BEARD Widow and Elizabeth BRAINSFORD of Barton Saint Mary. Value under £450
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Perhaps if I can locate the original report it might shed some more light. It seems more likely to be the organisation.
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I thought Druids Dinner was like a Moose Dinner - select club type thing.
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National Archives (held at Gloucestershire Archives)
Reference: D3814 : Miscellaneous records
Royal Arch Druids Society and Royal South Gloucester Light Infantry Regiment of Militia Papers
Date: 1829 -1832
?
Assume George BEARD was a Freemason
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? do wonder, whether (from the Will of John BEARD, City of Gloucester, Victualler 1827) is the father of George BEARD (although, as yet can't find a baptism) - but can for some of his children at Gloucester St Nicholas.
John BEARD talks about his property in Stourport in the County of Worcester.
Wife: Mary
and seven children
George
Edmund - 16 July 1809 (Boat Owner in Quary Street 1841 census aged 30 - died a few years later)
Thomas - 22 September 1811 (Waterman - 1841 Census, aged 30, wife Harriett aged 25,)
Mary Ann - 8 August 1813 - John (Inn Holder) & Mary
David Evans BEARD - 4 January 1818, John (Victualler) & Mary
Ellen
Daniel John BEARD - 24 November 1822, (parents as above)**
There is a tree on Ancestry, which gives Daniel John BEARD marrying Louisa Belcher - 5 September 1850, Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire
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There is a Susan BEARD christened at Glos. St Nicholas 18 October 1807 - parents: John & Mary
George & Elizabeth use the name Daniel
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Looking at the Electoral Register, 1841 for Gloucester
31 BEARD Davis Evans, Somerset Place, Spa
32 BEARD Edmund - The Quay
33 BEARD George - Island
34 BEARD Thomas - Island
3 BEARD's all very close Quay/Island
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I can't imagine, John CHESTERTON let his 17 year old daughter, marry unless she would be well provided for.
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? Marriage at St Peter's Worcestershire: 15 December 1800
John BEARD + Mary EVANS
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Hi Parkybe and all who replied.
My main research into the Beard(s) family was through my direct relative Daniel John Beard who was born in Gloucester in 1822 and died in Wolverhampton.
With regard to George Beard:
Pigotts trade directory of 1830 for Gloucester lists George and Mary Beard coal dealer and publican. Duke of Gloucester, Quay Street.
The 1839 directory lists George Beard coal merchant and haulier of the Nags Head, The Island.
The 1842 edition lists George Beard of the Star Inn and coal dealer the Island.
The 1841 census gives George Beard 35 coal merchant, Elizabeth Beard 25 wife and children.
George Beard of The Star Inn, Quay died intestate following his suicide in 1846.
At Gloucester record centre I discovered a letter of administration to the consistory court with regard to George. Three people had made claims on George’s estate. Elizabeth Beard widow, Elizabeth Brainsford widow, and a Joseph Page.
The two widows is interesting, I subsequently found a marriage of George Beard and Elizabeth Drinkwater at Huntley on the 5th of October 1819 by bann.
I also found a marriage licence for George Beard and Elizabeth Brainsford at Cheltenham on 26th June 1832.
George was described as a widower of St Nicholas, Gloucester on the later licence.
A full obituary and description of the events around George’s death were published in the Gloucester Journal of the 6th of June 1846.
A memorial headstone at St Nicholas’s church reads “Sacred to the memory of George Beard of the Star Inn, Quay who died May 30th 1846 aged 43 years. George Edward Beard son of George and Elizabeth Beard of this parish innkeeper who died October 28th 1833 aged 5 months and five days.
The 1851 census for the Star Inn finds Elizabeth Beard now a widow age 38 Inn Keeper and coal merchant, Ann 16 at home, Charles 13 a writing clerk, Daniel 12 a scholar and George B (Brainsford?) 6
I have consulted the will of John Beard Victualler and have assumed (!) over the years that he was George’s father. However I have not been able to prove the fact which was the reason for my original post looking for any further leads.
A few possible fragments pointing to John:
Knowing George was 45 when he died places his birth at 1801, I have a baptism for a George Beard at Stourport on the 3rd July 1803 (close) son of John and Mary Beard.
John had family connections and property at Stourport.
The listing of Freemen of the city of Gloucester 1641-1838 (on Ancestry) gives
1824 6th September Geo Beard, App of John Beard, coal merchant.
Regarding the Beard children the only info I have is from Wolverhampton where the online archives of parish records give the marriage of George Brainsford Beard, Timber merchants clerk of Waterloo Road (father George Beard a carrier) to Emma Eliza Blake on the 8th of March 1866.
Also sadly: George Brainsford Beards age 22 of Frederick Street buried 24th of May 1866.
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From Worcester Guardian 06-06-1846
SUICIDE.— The following melancholy case of suicide occurred at Gloucester, on Saturday last:— Mr. George Beard, the landlord of the Star Inn, and a large boat- owner and coal- merchant, had been indulging too freely in liquor on Friday morning last, notwithstanding which he went to the Lower George Inn, to the anniversary dinner of the Druids, of which society he was a member. There he also drank freely, but went home about nine o'clock. He there became very quarrelsome, and went so far as to strike his wife, after which he left the house, swearing he would never enter it again. After having called at two or three places, at each of which he took " another glass," he got back to the Lower George, when the landlord, seeing the state lie was in, very kindly, and with a great deal of difficulty, induced him to go to bed, and afterwards went into his room to see that all was right, when he appeared to be very fast asleep. About ten o'clock on Saturday morning the landlord took up some coffee for him, when, to his great horror and astonishment, he found him fastened up to tho bedpost, and quite dead. He had tied a large scarf to the bedpost and round his neck, with what in bargemen's phrase is called a bowling knot, and had then apparently fallen forward from the bed, as his legs were quite doubled under him, and his elbow resting on the bed; but being a very heavy man, his great weight had drawn the knot up tight, and occasioned strangulation. No cause but drunkenness can be assigned for this melancholy circumstance, as he was in very good circumstances, and had a good business. We are sorry to add that a widow and six young children are left to deplore his untimely end. A coroner's inquest was held on the body on Saturday, when the Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."
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Thanks for the reply Sea Bee 23. It seems as if you are on the right track with John Beard. I will have to get all this into some sort of order to make sense of it. I have a copy of George Beard's will or letters of admin. Elizabeth Brainsford was definitely his mother-in-law. I have a copy of a picture of her - possibly a painting. Do you have any details of what became of George and Mary's children? I have Albert in Australia and Daniel going to New Zealand and possibly Charles going to India. I know nothing of the girls. And I notice there were 9 children born but only six living at the time of his death.
Plenty to keep the brain cells active. Thank you.
Lyn
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Hi Lyn
Thanks a lot for the transcript from the Worcester Guardian. It is more detailed than the entry in the Gloucester Journal and adds to our knowledge of George. I didn't know he had boats even though his assumed father John Beard's will noted boats at Stourport. I will try and track down a coroners report if it exists.
Sorry I can't add detail of Georges children at this point apart from George B I mentioned in my post above. I will have a think/search.
Do you have any further information on Albert and Daniel who travelled south? I wonder if immigration or vessel embarkation details still exist.
Looks like I am going to have to open the family history files again after a few years lay off.
All the best.
Chris