Framework Knitters Union Nottingham and Leicester

[JudithS]

Hi, does anyone know of a register of Framework Knitters (FWK) from c. 1820-1860.

My 3 x grt grandfather John Bonser was in both Notts and Leic, I think it is him 1841 Market Bosworth Union Workhouse, FWK; indications are he and family did live in Notts prior to that. In 1851 census he is the Southwell Prison for debt. On both censuses it gives his age and that he was born Coleorton. All good, except that his death cert in 1851 Benford St, Leicester gives his age 10 years older!

If I could find a FWK register, I would know how many John Bonsers were FWK. 

Thank you, this has been a huge  brick wall for so long. Do hope someone can help. Judi

[larkspur]

There is John Bonser aged 56 a framework knitter on the 1851, but he is in the County Gaol, High Pavement Nottingham, is this the one you mean? His birth place is Cloton Moor Leicestershire.
Also the only death registration I can find is Jan 1851  John BONSOR at Market Bosworth 15/133.
There is a John Bonser and Wife Ann baptising children 1816-1831 in Radford, he is a frame work knitter.
There is a burial  for a John Bonser ar Nottingham St MAry 2-2-1855 aged 67 he was living in the Workhouse.

[JudithS]

Thank you so much larkspur for taking an interest.  Mine is John Bonser m. Mary Burton Whitwick 1819, a fwk. I haf believed the 1841 and 1851 census is him, 1841 Market Bosworth Union and 1851 In Southwell prison, for debt. Was interested in the baptd you mentioned  of John and Ann in Radford. It isnt them but I might be able to find who they are. This means I have followed a false track back to ancestors Cloten Moor ( Coleorton Moor) of a John 1795.

John & Mary Bonsor - Whitwick bapt 1821, William; 1823 James, then John( mine) 1826 Old Radford Notts. Prim. Methodist. Two more children, poss. for being Prim Methodist records- no records of birth; Elizabeth, Mary Ann Notts, resp. abt. 1826, Elizabeth 1828. Then back to Whitwick, a daughter Emma, only bapt. 1851, but born 1837 Whitwick.

John WSnr died 6 Benford St Leicester 1858 (75??) (7a 115) so I have followed the wrong family for his ancestors from Coleorton?  He should be abt. 63. Wife Mary Bonser can be seen in the 1861 census, Leicester St Margaret, with daughters Mary Ann and several grandchilden, which I recognise, she dies May 1861, also at 6 Benford St, part of the Union area??

Bottom line: think I have followed the wrong family, but cant find any more records. Live in Oz, am on ancestry and this is driving me mad. 
 
Dont have anyone else to discuss this with. I am interested in what you see, and I cant. 

Cheers Jud

[larkspur]

**He was in Nottingham Gaol on the 1851**.For larceny.
 Where did you get the Southwell Prison for debt from?

Now there is a John Bonser in the  Australian Convict Transportation register.
Convicted on 1st Jan 1849 , voyage on the vessel MINDEN on 16th July 1851.** He was transported for 7 years to Western Australia. His place of conviction Leicester.
From the Criminal registers
!st Jan 1849 John Bonser Leicester Boro' Sessions Larceny before convicted of a felony 7 years transportation.
There are 2 previous convictions for Larceny 27 Feb 1840 and 27 June 1842. He is 18 on the 1840 conviction(b 1822)  and 22 on the 1842 (B 1820).

Now John Bonser senior.
1851 Leicester St Mary Workhouse
John BONSOR Mar 74 framework knitter b Whitwick

1841 Market Bosworth workhouse, the John Bonser is only 45.

[JudithS]

An Ah hah moment for me. 

1851. I believe that is indeed John Snr in Leicester St Mary, pauper Whitwick, ancestry had it transcribed as Whelwick and I was in a mind set of John Snr being b. 1795 Coleorton.
1841 Market Bosworth isnt him now, neither is County Goal 1851, dont know where Southwell came from, except Notts. Archives told me the records are kept at Southwell for The County Goal.
On the 1851 census, the first 11 inmates after the officer, in the 'Relationship' column are debt prisoners...no matter, it isnt him anyway.

Thank you so much. I still cant find John Snr 1841, nor Mary in 1841 or 1851. Looks like the family disbanded due to poverty notorious with fwk. Yes, that is 'our' John sent here on the Minden.

Cheers Judi

[larkspur]

I was thinking the 1851 John in Nottingham Gaol was John Junior, imprisoned before being sent to Australia....

[JudithS]

He was only in his 20,s when he was transported bapt 1826, was on a Hulk before that. He did well, was a brickmaker and made bricks and buildings that are now Cultural Heritage in West Aust.

Thank you so much for your input,   

Your assistance caused me to have a mental breakthrough on John Snr, its ok, I dont mean a mental breakdown 

Sometimes the brick walls are in the mind only, cant accept stuff. Interesting.

Thanks Larkspur xxxxx

[willsy]

John snr is buried at Welford Road, all in grave

Unconsecarted N   881   C
BONSOR   JOHN   1858   SEP   12   75   6 BENFORD STREET   SAINT MARGARET

BONSER   MARY ANN   1861   MAY   5   64   CARLEY STREET   SAINT MARGARET

TAYLOR   SARAH   1869   NOV   21   3MTHS   DENMAN STREET   SAINT MARGARET

TAYLOR   ADA   1870   DEC   8   11WKS   DENMAN STREET   SAINT MARGARET

TAYLOR   HENRY   1875   SEP   24   2   ARGYLE STREET   SAINT MARGARET

TAYLOR   ADA   1882   JAN   21   3   ARGYLE STREET   SAINT MARGARET

TAYLOR   FLORRIE   1883   MAR   5   14MTHS   ARGYLE STREET   SAINT MARGARET

[willsy]

Looked at St Margaret's marriages

Entry No.267,  JUL  1, 1866, after Banns
JOHN INGRAM, 23, bach. FWK, of DENMAN St, s. of ROBERT INGRAM, FWK
MARY ANN BONSER, 18, sp. of DENMAN St, father's name & occupation not given
Wits: JAMES NEWTON, ELIZABETH BONSER

Entry No.466,  JUN 27, 1869, after Banns
EDWARD TAYLOR, 21, bach. FWK, of NEW BROOK St, s. of HENRY TAYLOR, FWK
ELIZABETH HAMSLEY BONSOR, 19, sp. of DENMAN St, father's name & occupation not given
Wits: RUBEN TAYLOR, ANN DALLISON

* Francis Dallison married Elizabeth Bonsor 1843 Leicester

The 2 grandchildren I think

Just adding these, familiar addresses/John father

Entry No.323,  DEC 24, 1843, after Banns
JOHN BOLTON, full age, bach. SHOE MAKER, of OSBORNE St, s. of WILLIAM BOLTON, CARPENTER
MARY BONSOR, minor, sp. WAREHOUSE WOMAN, of OSBORNE St, d. of JOHN BONSOR, FWK
Wits: SAMUEL GREEN, MARTHA GREEN

Entry No.350,  APR 29, 1840, after Banns
EDWARD PENNEY, full age, bach. TURNER, of METCALF St, s. of JOHN PENNEY, WOOL COMBER
MARY ANN BONSOR, full age, sp. of BENFORD St, d. of JOHN BONSOR, FWK
Wits: WILLIAM SIMPSON, ROBT. STRINGER