Another brain needed please!!!

[CatOne]

I have found some relatives on the 1881, 91 and 1901 census - John Bower b.c1844 Mattersea, Notts, wife Elizabeth b.c1849 Clayworth, Notts, with children Alfred Bower b.c 1875 Wisston, Notts, Anne E. Bower b.c1868 Mattersea, George Woodward Bower b. 1870, John W Bower b.c1872 (1881 census), children on 1891 census have increased to include Fanny Bower b.c1869 Manchester, Lancs, Harry (Henry) Bower b.c1879 Everton, Notts, Frederick, Charles and Susannah, as well as a couple of grandchildren. Similar on 1901 census.

My question though is, where is the family on the 1871 census? The closest I have found is a Woodward family RG10/3450 Wisston, Notts. There is wife Elizabeth, b.1849 Mattersea, daughter Anne E b.1868 Mattersea, Fanny b.1869, George b.1870?? So another question is, did George change his name to John Bower Woodward for some reason, or did George die and Elizabeth then married John Bower??? But why would John take on the surname of his wifes ex? I have Henry Woodwards birth certificate (1879) and his fathers name is down as John Woodward Bower (the Bower after Henrys name has been crossed out by the registrar).

My family has been puzzled for years about where the double barrelled name came from. My grandma spoke to Henrys son the other day and he said that some money had been inherited and the name had been bought!! But why would you have to buy a name?? and why would the family want to??

Is the Woodward family in 1871 the same as the Bower family on later censuses? Did George die and Elizabeth remarry? or did george change his name to John (hes born 1844 Mattersea, Notts, same as John on the later censuses)

Baffled!! Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Catherine 

[Nessie]

Can't help with the rest, but the name being bought suggests to me that money was left in a will with the condition that the name be used. It was usually someone who hadn't any sons who wanted their name carried on who made this condition.

Hope I haven't confused you more

[CatOne]

Hhhmmm never though about that.... Henrys son seemed to think it had been Henry that had "bought" the Woodward name, but from the censuses and Henrys birth cert, his father John was already using the Woodward name so maybe if George died, he could have asked the family to carry on using his name in his will....... maybe George and John are different people and its just a coincidence that they were both born 1844 Mattersea and had the same family!. I wonder if Johns marriage cert to Elizabeth will shed any light on when the Woodward name started to be used, think I'll send for it....but would be happy to receive any other suggestions in the meantime.....

Thanks,
Catherine 

[Jane Eden]

Can I just correct the spellings: Mattersey and Wiseton in North Notts?

I have printed your query out and will have a look to see if I can help.

Jane

[Heather D]

if it helps, there is a marriage at Mattersey 11/10/1866 of John Woodward Bower and Elizabeth Bingham (source Notts FHS marriage index).

[CatOne]

Thanks Heather - thats the one I'm going to send for, hopefully it will help......and thanks for the spelling corrections, I knew they were probably wrong, but was just spelling them how they were in the censuses. I knew Nottinghamshire people would know where I meant   

Thanks for all your help
Regards,
Catherine 

[Heather D]

Spelling corrections weren't mine Mattersea was used as this 1851 census shows. Looks like he was Bower then. I've listed all the Bowers and Woodwards in Mattersey 1851. Hopefully they will make sense eventually!

HO107 2121 84 17
Mattersea
William Bower head 23 farmer labourer North Leverton
Ann wife 26 Mattersea
John son 6 Mattersea
Emma dau 4 Mattersea
Samuel son 2 Mattersea
Ellen dau 6 months Mattersea

same page
John Bower head 28 farmer labourer Leverton
Susannah wife 26 Mattersea Thorp
Charles son 5 Mattersea Thorp
Charlotte dau 3 Mattersea Thorp

HO107 2121 77 3
Mattersea Grange, Mattersea
Thomas Bower head 57 farmer 13 1/2 acres Mattersea Thorpe
Elizabeth wife 57 North Wheatley
Sarah dau 31 North Leverton
Hannah dau 19 North Leverton
Maria dau 12 Mattersea woodhouse
Henry son 5 Mattersea Woodhouse


HO107 2121 78 5
Mattersea
Joseph Woodward head 45 farmer labourer Mattersea
Fanny wife 43 Tick? Yorks
Joseph son 19 farm servant Mattersea
William son 10 servant Mattersea
James son 3 Mattersea


HO107 2121 85 18
William Woodward head 48 farmer labourer Mattersea
Elizabeth wife 48 no birthplace listed
George son 17 farmers servant Mattersea
William son 10 Mattersea
Elizabeth dau 7 Mattersea
Sarah dau 5 Mattersea

HO107 2121 88 24
Mattersea
Thomas Woodward head 70 labourer Drayton? (unclear)
Maria wife 72 Cotham

[Jane Eden]

Nottm FHS Baptisms

Harry W Bower 2/6/1878 
Fred      7/8/81
Charles W  6/3/1886
Susannah  1/1/1889

All Everton All to John Bower and Elizabeth

Jane

[Jane Eden]

Sorry Susannah  11/1/1889

Jane